Toys

The Men's Club in our community along with the Marines are holding the annual Toys for Tots drive.
Today I decided to make a contribution.  I went to the local Target store and started looking around.  I love shopping for toys, I guess it brings back memories of when my boys were children.

What I found is most distressing, but not surprising.  Practically everything I looked at was made in China, even such American icons as Barbie, Fisher Price, Playskool and Disney.  I don't want to support another country, particularly a communist country, when we are in such bad shape.

Finally, I found some jigsaw puzzles that were made in the USA.  There were some Lego sets that are made in Europe.  I also checked out the Matchbox and Hot Wheels.  They're made in Thailand, but at least it's not China.

I know it's not much, but if everyone were more observant and rejected products made in China, maybe we could bring some manufacturing back to our country, that is, if the unions don't demand any unreasonable rules like they did with Hostess Baking.  We all know how that ended.

Procrastination

This morning I reminded myself of a child who keeps putting off doing his homework because there are a million other things he'd rather be doing.

It's time to start decorating for Christmas.  Christmas is my favorite time of year, I love the decorations.  I enjoy it so much that just about every room in the house has some kind of decoration.  It's time to bring the tree in from the garage.  It's not a real tree, it's a real artificial tree and looks great when it's set up.

I'd really love to have a real tree, but with Burnie...He'd probably climb the tree.  I once had a cat who loved to climb the artificial tree.  Thankfully I had an early warning system, a glass bell that jingled everytime the tree moved.

But I digress.  About the procrastination.  First, I had to check my emails, then do some finishing work on our paper, then send emails for additional information,.

Then I had to take the polish off my nails so they could "breathe", then hand cream.  Then I had to put the cans of cat food bought yesterday away.

I had to move the laundry basket so I could drag the tree through the laundry room.  Then I had to stop and write this.

I just had a thought.  The lottery is expected to be 425 million dollars this week.  What would I do with about $200 million after taxes?  I think, one thing would be to hire someone to bring the Christmas tree into the house and set it up.

Well, enough fantasizing, it's time to start work.  The tree won't walk into the house by itself.  But first, maybe I'll have another cup of coffee.

The Books are Done

Now that the election is over and the president has another four years, the chefs in the Labor Department have come out with more accurate first time unemployment numbers.  Isn't it strange that first time claims are now 439,000, up from the rosy figures we were given the past few weeks (before the election).  Last week they were 361,000.

I suspected this would happen, so I'm not surprised.  I wonder if any of those people who voted for the president are.

Late News

Why are we finding out about this only now?

Last week, before the election, the Iranians fired on an unmanned and unarmed drone that was flying over international waters.  As far as I know, there was no damage.

The only damage was to the truth.  This information should have been released to the public immediately.  This is another case of the president covering up what should have been public knowledge in order to help his campaign.

I guess his campaign chant, "Four more years" really means four more years of incompetance and cover-ups.

Snow

I love snow.  I get very excited when it snows.  It's snowing now, and sticking to the grassy areas around the house. 

But, I must be mellowing in my old age.  I can't get excited about it.  All I can think about are all the people still without power and heat since last week.  I've heard reports that it can take up to another week to months to fully restore gas and electric to the affected areas.

They are in our prayers.

Post Election Thoughts

It's a sad day for America.  The "Gimme Generation" has won.  Now there will be handouts for everyone who does not feel the need to work and produce for society.

Now that the election is over, I wonder if the president will finally give us the answers we deserve on a number of events. 

I'm talking about the Benghazi attack on September 11, Fast and Furious gunrunning.  Will he be willing to at least speak with the Republicans?

Will the director of the infamous video who was arrested on a probation violation and imprisoned for exercising his 1st Amendment rights be released and allowed to give interviews?

Will all the states now submit their information so that we can have an accurate reading of the unemployment rate?

Will the Ft. Hood massacre finally be classified as the terrorist attack that it was and not workplace violence so that our brave military can receive the benefits they deserve? 

I have many more questions, but that's enough for today.

Shades of the 70's

I'm sure by now, everyone has heard about the gas shortages here in the NY Metropolitan area.  We in NJ are having the same problem.

On Saturday, a friend called me to let me know about a gas station that was open, although it had a long line.  She had waited about 1/2 hour, but was able to fill up.  The next day I set out to fill my tank, especially since I heard we may get another storm on Wednesday.  I lucked out, only had to wait 15 minutes.

It reminded me of the 70's when we had much longer waits for gas.  We also had the odd/even rationing.  We made it through then, and we'll make it through now.

It also reminded me of my, then, 3 year old son's favorite game.  After hearing about the lines from us and the TV, he would line up his cars and trucks and play "gas line".  Who says TV doesn't influence children?

The Way It Should Be

I am so proud of my former neighborhood of Woodhaven, Queens, NY.  They have been collecting food and clothing for the residents of Breezy Point, Rockaway, Broad Channel and Howard Beach, Queens.

The people in those areas have lost so much to Sandy.  What was not flooded and destroyed by the ocean were burned to the ground.  I don't know about loss of life in this area, I do know that most of the residents followed the evacuation orders.

The Woodhaven Residents Block Association has made numerous trips to the affected areas with these donations.  This all-volunteer organization is still collecting food, warm clothing, blankets, etc.  They didn't wait for the government (taxpayers) to bring those supplies, they just got together and donated whatever they could spare for their neighbors.  It's the American way, neighbors helping neighbors.

There is a place for the government in a tragedy like this.  They should make sure that everyone is safe, that all downed wires are no longer "live" and that trees and debris are removed to avoid the danger of accidents.  They should make sure that power is restored so that the clean-up can be done. They should also make sure that gasoline is available for first responders, cars,  private generators and that the local towns have enough gas for the fire engines and police cars.  I've heard that some places have only a 2 day reserve.

I saw an interview with a man on Staten Island (another borough that suffered major destruction) who lost his restaurant and his home.  He ended the interview by expressing his concern and prayers for those who had lost family members.  He felt blessed that at least everyone in his family was alive.

I was one of the lucky ones.  I only lost power for 2 1/2 days and experienced no flooding, just some discomfort, but I hear that the surrounding area is devastated.  There are so many downed trees that some roads are closed.

All we can do for now is pray for those who have lost their homes and that while they are rebuilding,  they can find some place to live as the colder weather arrives.