I may be walking close to the edge with this entry. If you have been a regular reader, you will probably think that is funny because this blog is about as tame as you can get! Anyway, I had stated before that I would keep my comments apolitical, and I think I am still safe with that because this is more of a commentary on economics and fiscal stability.
This was received just today, and I thought it gave fresh ideas when it came to gift giving:
Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition
As the holidays approach, the giant foreign factories are kicking into
high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods
merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.
This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of
genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that,
at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American
hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit
in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates
from your local American hair salon or barber?
Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some
health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American
owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift
certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking
down the Benjamin’s on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful
gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the
summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift
certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what
about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember,
folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting
your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep
their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or
motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a
local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy
who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people
spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and
pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave
your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet
at your hometown theatre.
Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese
lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about
fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to
burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that
China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring
about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to
follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care
about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS should become the new American Christmas tradition! Consider forwarding this to everyone on your mailing list -- Introduce it in discussions with your friends. Mail it to the editor of your local paper, radio stations, and TV news departments.
This is a revolution about caring about each other and our country... and isn't that what Christmas is about?
This week, my wife, Lesley, had to go into the hospital for surgery. After four previous back surgeries and multitudes of testing and medication, it was finally determined that the only recourse was to control the pain since there was no fixing it. There is a remarkable little device called a spinal cord stimulator. It blocks or reduces the pain signals that the brain is getting from the affected area. She had tried the trial version of the device and it seemed to do the job.
So wifey went into the hospital, yesterday, for the procedure. Whenever she is out of her element, or closer to the truth, out of my sphere, I find myself getting beside myself (is that redundant?). I don't sleep well nor do I focus well. Obviously that is because I have a strong attachment to her. So I was very happy, today to get her back home again and tie her down to the recliner (figuratively speaking) because she is a very active person. She has the ability to multi-process or parallel-process things in her mind very rapidly, whereas I can only serial-process process at a slower rate. Getting Lesley to relax is a big task, indeed. 