Common Courtesy

It never ceases to amaze me how common courtesy seems to have fallen by the wayside. Are people just too busy running their everyday lives to appreciate anything any more, or do they just not care? For a couple of years there was an Indian fellow operating a local gas station, who every time you went in to pay, had his ear glued to a telephone. He'd find the time to make change, and take your money, but couldn't be bothered to speak or say thank you for your service. I considered that extremely rude, eventually stopped going there, and awhile later the place was taken over by someone else.

And the practice of sending thank you cards for gifts, etc. Is this something newer generations don't consider important? Or do they just consider it their due when someone gives them a gift for a wedding, graduation, or whatever the occasion? And therefore, have no need to thank the person for their thoughtfulness? I know I'm older, and from another generation, but my Mother taught me to send thank you cards. I still consider this gesture important, particularly if someone gives you money. At least in that way, you know they did indeed receive their gift. This is a gesture, I have in turn, passed on to my daughter.

Even in a store, should I walk in front of someone, I say excuse me, if someone holds a door for me, I say thank you. What is so time consuming or difficult about showing a little respect, and gratefulness, if someone deserves it? I've even received nice responses from some individuals, but not all. Even when they look at you as though they hadn't expected it. Unfortunately, I have to assume, such practices are not common these days. Many, particularly young people would as soon say, screw you, as excuse me, thank you, or you're welcome.

It will be a mighty sad day indeed, should thoughtless and inconsideration become the norm. Parents need to stress the importance of common courtesies to their youngsters. Many people appreciate that little gesture of please, thank you, or you're welcome. Lets not turn our society into an ungrateful lot, but one where we at least show a little respect and thankfulness for simple gestures. And I'm not referring to a "one fingered salute." Times are tough enough, and we all have our battles to fight, but simple courtesies are just that, simple, not time consuming.

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Time

I can hardly wrap my mind around the fact that it is less than a week until Thanksgiving. Where does the time go? I guess it certainly is true whoever said "life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes." I remember being a child and thinking a year seemed like it went on forever. Now days, it seems like a week is like a day, a month like a week, and a year isn't really very long. Its amazing how your perspective changes over time.

It seems like just a few months ago when it became the year 2000, and everyone was so concerned about what the change could mean to the world. And now its nearly fourteen years later. It just doesn't seem fair how so much time has slipped away? And sometimes I think back and wonder how in the world can I be this old? But I've been pretty fortunate, and hope that continues for a good many more years. Then I look at my nearly thirty year old daughter, and think, yes, you really are that old.

Or I can look out the window and see the once cleared side hill behind my house, where we used to pasture cattle. We used to keep it up every Summer, cutting and burning what needed to be done. I can barely see the ground any longer, for the scrub brush, weeds, and trees. Time waits for no one, and Nature definitely takes its course. But then, I guess that's the way it goes, and what is expected in the natural scheme of things. Or even the cycle of life, as we know it. If life spun its wheels, none of us who are presently here, would be here now, and the world as we know it, would not exist.

So I suppose we have to take life as it comes, hope for the best, and live our lives to the fullest we are able. We have such a limited amount, and some more than others, allotted to us. Normally I don't really have any great expectations of the holidays, because we don't usually celebrate them with any great amount of gusto. Although I always look forward to my daughter's coming home, and now my beautiful little granddaughter. It is always great to see them, and get to spend some time with them, even though way too short. But then, I try to be very grateful for the good things in life.

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For Real?

My husband is a big fan of the business channels, where they continuously talk about stock markets, DJ, NASDAQ, etc. averages, money, and debt. Which is okay, as long as I'm not required to listen to it all day long. It just boggles my mind the ridiculously huge dollar amounts that are everyday conversation on there. Figures the average person could never hope to understand, or accumulate in their entire lifetime.

Used to be hundreds of dollars seemed significant, then thousands, and now days its nothing to hear millions, billions, and even trillions. Who can even conceive of such vast amounts of wealth? Not I, that is for sure. And the National Debt?! Good Lord, how is that even possible? Has to be due to the sky rocketing cost of everything, total disregard for staggering debt, interest accumulation, and other mind blowing reasons, the average person cannot grasp the concept of.

I know I, for one, cannot imagine that ever being decreased, or heaven forbid, paid off. I don't even pretend to understand how these things work, but even I get concerned when they show the ND ticker on television. Did you ever see anything whiz along, constantly growing, and so beyond belief? Where will it end, and what will it be when our children, and children's children reach maturity? Unfortunately, I cannot understand the concept of what it might mean to their future prosperity.

I get concerned when we go over our student loans, my husband's, for his post graduate schooling, and mine, for my daughter's education. And their total isn't even all that outlandish. But then, I have always been an average person, making mostly average income, as has he. Once, when my first husband, and I, were building our house, we accumulated over $5,000. on a credit card, and that was overwhelming to me. After he passed, that was one of the first priorities with me, to pay it off.

I am not a fan of debt, don't normally use a credit card, and drive a 2002 vehicle. And just do not get how people can have bunches of charge cards, with large balances, I could never do it comfortably. But then, I like things simple, steer clear of charging stuff, and try to take care of what I have, in order to avoid large purchases. And that's just the way it is.

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Who Decides?

I don't get the whole insurance thing, if nobody can "get it right" why not just forget about it? At least until someone who knows what they are doing, can fix it. If it can't just be dumped, work out the flaws before releasing it onto the general public. The last thing anyone needs is another frustrating "muck up" to deal with. These "bugs" should have been completely worked out, and tested, long before this thing was passed or opened for business.

I seriously doubt that many average mortals would be bothered by this thing being postponed for a year, or forever. Put those who have managed to get through back on their original plan, so they at least have that, and call it a day, until the powers that be can get it right. Its not their fault someone who wasn't thinking clearly jumped the gun. Why is it the government always seems to make things worse, when trying to fix something?

I realize the insurance/health care thing is indeed broken, but why make things even worse by creating mass confusion? Those kind of measures aren't doing anyone any good. Roll it back up, assign multitudes of those fat pay check drawing seat warmers spread across the government to it, and don't present it again until its done right.

It never ceases to amaze me how things that no one in the general populace wants, are repeatedly placed into effect anyway. Not only in the federal government, but in local also. There is this healthcare thing, few had read and understood, so those in a position to put it into effect, say vote for it, then you can read and understand it..? Huh..? What kind of sense does that make? Once its already there, if you don't like it or understand it, you're stuck with it anyway.

Then there are two such instances in my local area. One a middle school no one wanted, because there were already five area elementary schools, and a high school. No one wanted the new school, which replaced two elementary schools, but the school board voted it in anyway. And the bigger, more modern, new middle school was built.

Then there was the bigger, better, and more modern, new hospital that no one wanted. The tax payers didn't want it, after a good many job losses in the area, but it was voted in anyway. And guess what, we now have a brand new hospital, no one wanted. What ever happened to government for the people, by the people, and of the people? Just a certain few in certain positions, decide, I guess..? And once again, I'm lost as to the right answer, out here in the country.  

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Education

It seems like nearly every day, on the local news, they report another school district either facing possible bankruptcy, million dollars deficits, cutting back on teachers, and closing schools. I suppose some of this is due to couples reducing the number of children they produce, which means lower attendance, the need for combined classes, and thereby requiring fewer teachers.

Around our local area it seems like nearly every district is having some kind of issues, even a major university. I recall one district saying it hoped to help out its fiscal problems by asking for assistance from alumnae and the district's families. Sure, I know there are those who can afford to help out, but what about all of the ones who can't, and struggle to see to their own family's needs?

And I know from past experience, people get tired of being hit up to purchase candles, candy bars, magazines, etc. Because for one thing, the prices for what you get, are actually quite ridiculous. I don't use candles, never subscribe to, or read, magazines, and try to abstain from eating too much candy and sweets. It seems to me like there should be a more productive way to raise money. I don't really know what entices people to donate, but there must be something that would make more sense.

From what I've seen, things have really changed from aeons ago when I went to school. The district provided paper tablets, lead pencils, and other things we used every day. But in this day and age, since everything is more high tech, families are expected to provide a crazy amount of "school supplies" to start the school year. I no longer have a child in school, so I'm not sure what that list entails. Myself, I don't quite understand how using a calculator, or one of these new-fangled gadgets that basically do the work for them, helps educate kids. Sure, know how to use them. But how do you learn, and remember how to do things, if you don't actually use your brain to figure them out?

It seems like I've even heard where they are going to do away with handwriting classes..? Huh? Doesn't everyone need to know how to write? Maybe not long hand written letters, or papers, but at least how to write a simple sentence, or sign your name, occasionally? Sometimes I wonder if all this new "stuff" is wise, and may not contribute to our students leaving school unprepared for real life, and the work force? I don't know, since I am unaware of what all goes on inside schools any more.

But I have young nieces, and a grandchild, and do wonder if the generations to come will have the proper education to run their lives and be productive members of society. One can only hope their parents, and their own undertakings will make them strong, resilient, and capable of doing what they have to do to survive, and prosper.

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Our Country

Yesterday I began shopping for my granddaughter for Christmas. I was looking around on Amazon, and it just amazes me how much stuff is made in countries I can barely pronounce. Why, oh why, do they not carry more stuff made in this country, and more easily accessible to those bothering to look? Its Just awful how this is America, and what little is still made here, requires a detailed search just to find it.

I much prefer to Buy American, but they sure don't make it easy, or cost effective for those who want to support our country. I've searched several times for American Made clothing, and other products, but usually I end up giving up, because I cannot find anything I like. I don't mind paying a little more for something, if it looks like its better quality, and may last longer. But how can you be assured of that, even if it was made in this country?

Basically, I find it difficult to trust items made in foreign countries, maybe I'm wrong, I don't know, but I prefer to see Made In the USA on it. Of course, I've had to adjust my thinking, because rarely do you run across stuff that has that label on it. It is very sad, and I wish that would change. But with Free Trade Agreements, and manufacturing leaving in droves for countries where it costs less to operate, how can it change?

We really need to find, and support those who continue to do business in this country. They deserve credit for jumping through the hoops to remain here, make a living here, and provide jobs and products here. It can't be easy when so many have left, and so far haven't seen fit to return. What happened to the good old days, when this country was so much more worthy of our respect? Its not so much the country's fault, as those who run it, and have allowed so many things to get so far out of control. I'm hoping its not so far gone it can't still be rescued, and regain the respect it deserves before its too late. 

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