After days of cooler near the lake we are finally back to spring! Got more of the garden planted. It seems late for that but it's been so darn cold at night, in the lower 40's at times. It's nice to have the house open today, but it's going to be chilly again tonight. Dried more clothes on the line, went shopping and cleared out another box of old papers and files. Yay!
Chinese carryout tonight an a movie, "Outsourced". Better than I thought it would be. Fun and enjoyable. Might watch it again.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Made in the USA
Do you think we'd be in this mess, at least part of it, if most of our products were still made here in the USA?I really don't get into politics much, or economics, either, but years ago, back in the 1970's, my dad bought a book, read it, and told me that eventually America would become a country of service industries, because the service industry is the only job you can't export overseas. That was an "I told you so" from the 1970's. See, Daddy, I listened.
According to the book, the global economy is destined to go through some awful birth pains before it all evens out. "Evens out"? According to the book, those huge corporations keep moving their productions to wherever the cheapest labor and least environmental protection and least taxes are. The people work hard for pennies, then after time they better themselves and realize how bad off they are, so they want better, including a TV, refrigerator, clean water to drink, shorter work hours and health care. Look at China, a few cents wages, 10 hours a day, 7 days a week, maybe 6 days a week now that the government has decided people need to rest one day. That's what I mean about going into a dollar store and thinking about how hard they work to make that crap for next to nothing. And no, I don't normally purchase there. I went in looking for some plates, and I found some, made in the USA!
OK, so here are a couple websites I found. How to buy American and made in Indiana. Happy shopping! Well, I haven't checked out the usefulness of the first but I have been to the Indiana one.
In other news, I'm still trading African Violet plants and leaves. The weather is still perfect for trades. I've been gardening, cleaning up the yard, plus still cleaning and packing in the house. Little at a time. Tomorrow my boss is stopping in. He still hasn't transferred files from his old laptop to the new one. No time. His company is doing fine. It's a service industry.
The weather is chilly again, in the lower 60's during the day and 50's at night. Cooler near the lake dammit.
According to the book, the global economy is destined to go through some awful birth pains before it all evens out. "Evens out"? According to the book, those huge corporations keep moving their productions to wherever the cheapest labor and least environmental protection and least taxes are. The people work hard for pennies, then after time they better themselves and realize how bad off they are, so they want better, including a TV, refrigerator, clean water to drink, shorter work hours and health care. Look at China, a few cents wages, 10 hours a day, 7 days a week, maybe 6 days a week now that the government has decided people need to rest one day. That's what I mean about going into a dollar store and thinking about how hard they work to make that crap for next to nothing. And no, I don't normally purchase there. I went in looking for some plates, and I found some, made in the USA!
OK, so here are a couple websites I found. How to buy American and made in Indiana. Happy shopping! Well, I haven't checked out the usefulness of the first but I have been to the Indiana one.
In other news, I'm still trading African Violet plants and leaves. The weather is still perfect for trades. I've been gardening, cleaning up the yard, plus still cleaning and packing in the house. Little at a time. Tomorrow my boss is stopping in. He still hasn't transferred files from his old laptop to the new one. No time. His company is doing fine. It's a service industry.
The weather is chilly again, in the lower 60's during the day and 50's at night. Cooler near the lake dammit.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Cooler Near the Lake
Ugh. Every spring. You can count on it.
In other news, the garden is nearly planted. Radishes are coming up, squash, both summer and winter are planted and the zucchini is up already. We bought heirloom tomato seeds when we were at the Lost River Co-op in Paoli. They are called Yellow Pear. We also have cherry tomatoes, bell peppers and banana peppers.
In case you're wondering why we're planting a garden when we're moving---well, we figure it will be awhile before we move. Besides, we still have extra seeds for next year.
Speaking of moving, I finally got rid of three boxes of old magazines my boss brought over a couple years ago. "I have a box of old magazines in my mom's basement, do you think you can sell them on ebay?" he asked. I agreed, and then he brought THREE big boxes and none of it would sell. I mean it wasn't just me, all the other hundreds of the same magazines were not selling either. So I freecycled them, snapped up in a day LOL!!
I've pared my violet collection down and I'm sending out a couple more. Of course leaves and starts are coming back here---can't win! Well, actually it's my hobby so I love it.
Might be raining tomorrow, if so we might look at the old Grundig radio in the living room to see what it might sell for. Figured it was a good rainy day project. Don't want to take it with us. Not sure what to do with the Temple radio. It's big and really heavy.
Tacos for dinner, homemade of course. Movie--on TV, "I Walk the Line"--about Johnny Cash and June Carter. We watched it before.
In other news, the garden is nearly planted. Radishes are coming up, squash, both summer and winter are planted and the zucchini is up already. We bought heirloom tomato seeds when we were at the Lost River Co-op in Paoli. They are called Yellow Pear. We also have cherry tomatoes, bell peppers and banana peppers.
In case you're wondering why we're planting a garden when we're moving---well, we figure it will be awhile before we move. Besides, we still have extra seeds for next year.
Speaking of moving, I finally got rid of three boxes of old magazines my boss brought over a couple years ago. "I have a box of old magazines in my mom's basement, do you think you can sell them on ebay?" he asked. I agreed, and then he brought THREE big boxes and none of it would sell. I mean it wasn't just me, all the other hundreds of the same magazines were not selling either. So I freecycled them, snapped up in a day LOL!!
I've pared my violet collection down and I'm sending out a couple more. Of course leaves and starts are coming back here---can't win! Well, actually it's my hobby so I love it.
Might be raining tomorrow, if so we might look at the old Grundig radio in the living room to see what it might sell for. Figured it was a good rainy day project. Don't want to take it with us. Not sure what to do with the Temple radio. It's big and really heavy.
Tacos for dinner, homemade of course. Movie--on TV, "I Walk the Line"--about Johnny Cash and June Carter. We watched it before.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Time flies...
I didn't realize so much time had gone by since I last posted. The weather has been nice, 70's and 80's and still cool at night. It's breezy enough to keep the air fresh so we can keep the house open all night. So far. But the time will come as it does every year when the breeze will stop and the smog will build up and the idiot across the alley will burn his stinky campfire every night so I have to close the house up.
I've been busy, putting stuff up on eBay and throwing stuff out. I filled up three grocery bags full of papers to take to the city recycling to be shredded (so much easier than one page at a time). I've been going through my violets, re potting and tossing extras that aren't worth keeping. I managed to send out quite a few to new homes a couple weeks ago. I also sent some tubers of the unusual iris I got from grandma on Lindbergh Street to friends in Missouri and Michigan. I have lots of it here but at least it will be shared so I won't loose it when we move (just in case what I bring doesn't take).
A type of Japanese Iris bought many years ago.
My daughter in Australia had a very sad day yesterday. One of her cats, Iggy, developed sudden and severe kidney problems and did not respond to medication. He passed away at the vet's on Wednesday (Thursday the 21st in Australia).
May 2004, they were tiny kittens
Iggy (left) and Woolly, March 2008
Iggy 2004 - May 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Dinner & a movie
Chinese takeout and a Chinese movie, Up the Yangtze, a moving and well-done documentary about the effect the building of the Three Gorges Dam had on the two million people that were displaced by it. I was surprised that China allowed the suffering to be publicized. I was surprised to see the people speak about their pain, instead of just saying what the government wants them to say. It was also interesting to see the training of the young Chinese hired onto the new cruise ships that course the waters. I highly recommend this compassionate documentary. It plays out more like a movie and is worth watching.
There is another documentary worth watching. I don't think it's being broadcast right now, but you can visit the website, FRONTLINE: young & restless in China. I never look at Chinese-made goods the same anymore. China is a country of "haves" and "have-nots", and most of the people are the "nots". They toil endlessly, many times in conditions that harm their health, to eek out a living. I cannot pick up an imported item in a dollar store without wondering what woman or child is getting paid next to nothing to make hundreds of them. On the other hand, some of the lucky ones are making lots of money. It's interesting to learn their attitudes.
There is another documentary worth watching. I don't think it's being broadcast right now, but you can visit the website, FRONTLINE: young & restless in China. I never look at Chinese-made goods the same anymore. China is a country of "haves" and "have-nots", and most of the people are the "nots". They toil endlessly, many times in conditions that harm their health, to eek out a living. I cannot pick up an imported item in a dollar store without wondering what woman or child is getting paid next to nothing to make hundreds of them. On the other hand, some of the lucky ones are making lots of money. It's interesting to learn their attitudes.
Monday, May 4, 2009
...Paoli continued
After the pub we went back to the Inn. Dad said let's go look at the park. It's in a valley behind the Midwest Inn. We decided to take a walk. It's so beautiful. The Lost River runs through it. Here are some photos.
Redbud tree behind the Inn
We begin our walk
The vote was unanimous! We hope to make Paoli our new home!
Redbud tree behind the Inn We begin our walk
Bluebells!
The Lost River
We thought it was really pretty there.
It was one l--o--n--g walk! We were tired when we got back and decided to order pizza instead of driving back to town to eat at the El Compadres Mexican Restaurant. The pizza was pretty good, the toppings were good but the crust needed improvement.
I had been watching the weather and it looked like rain was moving in for Sunday, at it looked like it would be raining ALL the way home. So we made a decision to leave on Saturday. The notice was too short for us to get our money back. The lady promised she would try but it didn't happen. Oh well, I wasn't going to ask Dad to drive home in the rain to save 50 bucks.
When we got home we had a discussion. Should we keep looking or had we decided? The only thing we didn't like was all the traffic on 37 and 150. The people are friendly. They look healthy and spend time outdoors. The young guys in the pub were polite and friendly to Dad. When was the last time THAT happened?? Oh---probably at Foxy's in Briggsville, Wisconsin. There is a clinic, a hospital and a health food store in town, among other amenities. I love the quaint town square, and the historic Orange County Courthouse with the clock that has been restored to working condition.
The vote was unanimous! We hope to make Paoli our new home! Some things to do in the area:
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Getting better...finally
Dad is doing fine and it seems like my cold is trying to break up. I almost lost my voice today. Really happy to see dad feeling so well!!
Yesterday I packed up three boxes of violets to send to my bingo winners. Every month the online African Violet club I belong to has a bingo game. I was the host for April. I have more room now, and I even have more to send out to friends. My collection may actually be under control...briefly. Well, I admit I am saving some starter plants for the ladies in Paoli who are growing violets. Oh. Didn't I tell you about that? No, I didn't, and I left out most of the story because when we got home I was incredibly busy catching up with work and then Dad ended up in the hospital and then I got this awful cold.
I see I left off with a "hello" from Bedford on April 16. Friday we headed south to Paoli, got settled at the Midwest Inn and then headed back to the town square. When we visited last November the court house had scaffolding up. Now it was complete and the antique clock is working at it even chimes! I have to say the only drawback about this quaint and historical town square is the traffic. There seems to be no other route for all the hustle and bustle other than 37 through the middle of town, around the square and out on 150 west. I think I heard mention of a bypass. Well, who wants to live on a main highway anyway.
We stopped in at the Lost River Market & Deli. We found grains! All kinds. I still have my mom's Vita Mix blender that grinds grains into flour. They also have a good selection of bulk herbs and spices. Then we wandered into Roslyn’s Corner Gifts and Antiques. Well, I wandered in. Dad decided to sit on the bench under a tree. When we stayed in Bedford the room had coffee cups, but the Midwest Inn didn't. Since we brought our coffee maker but forgot the cups, I needed to buy some. Anyway, Dad said I could find him at the pub when I was done.
Roslyn is sweet, easy to talk to. She tracked down a phone number of a realtor for me. I paid for the cups and lo and behold there were African Violet leaves rooting next to the cash register! She got them from Maggie's Fashions. I almost went there but decided instead to meet Dad at the pub. He was talking to someone who owns a lot of properties for rent and he said he will rent to seniors with pets. Wow! We exchanged numbers. So if we have to rent for awhile, most likely we will be set.
It's getting late, and I need my rest to get rid of this cold. Next time I will continue the story.
Yesterday I packed up three boxes of violets to send to my bingo winners. Every month the online African Violet club I belong to has a bingo game. I was the host for April. I have more room now, and I even have more to send out to friends. My collection may actually be under control...briefly. Well, I admit I am saving some starter plants for the ladies in Paoli who are growing violets. Oh. Didn't I tell you about that? No, I didn't, and I left out most of the story because when we got home I was incredibly busy catching up with work and then Dad ended up in the hospital and then I got this awful cold.
I see I left off with a "hello" from Bedford on April 16. Friday we headed south to Paoli, got settled at the Midwest Inn and then headed back to the town square. When we visited last November the court house had scaffolding up. Now it was complete and the antique clock is working at it even chimes! I have to say the only drawback about this quaint and historical town square is the traffic. There seems to be no other route for all the hustle and bustle other than 37 through the middle of town, around the square and out on 150 west. I think I heard mention of a bypass. Well, who wants to live on a main highway anyway.
We stopped in at the Lost River Market & Deli. We found grains! All kinds. I still have my mom's Vita Mix blender that grinds grains into flour. They also have a good selection of bulk herbs and spices. Then we wandered into Roslyn’s Corner Gifts and Antiques. Well, I wandered in. Dad decided to sit on the bench under a tree. When we stayed in Bedford the room had coffee cups, but the Midwest Inn didn't. Since we brought our coffee maker but forgot the cups, I needed to buy some. Anyway, Dad said I could find him at the pub when I was done.
Roslyn is sweet, easy to talk to. She tracked down a phone number of a realtor for me. I paid for the cups and lo and behold there were African Violet leaves rooting next to the cash register! She got them from Maggie's Fashions. I almost went there but decided instead to meet Dad at the pub. He was talking to someone who owns a lot of properties for rent and he said he will rent to seniors with pets. Wow! We exchanged numbers. So if we have to rent for awhile, most likely we will be set.
It's getting late, and I need my rest to get rid of this cold. Next time I will continue the story.
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