I have never just stolen a blog entry from someone else, but today starts a new era in my life. I borrowed this from Donna at GG Creative Corner blog. It concerns a subject very dear to my heart. When my mother and I started doing craftshows on a regular basis we used Palencia broadcloth by Springs Fabric Co. in solid colors to make our aprons and bonnets. It was not expensive, we could buy it at Hancocks and WalMart. It come in dozens of beautiful colors and the biggest plus was you could sew bright Christmas red with white fabric and guarrentee the customer that when washed THE RED WOULD NOT FADE ON THE WHITE. It did not wrinkle bad when washed and dried in a dryer and it DID NOT SHRINK!! AND ALL OF THE FABRIC WAS MADE IN THE USA. This was in the 80's and 90's. Then in the later 90's I noticed a change in both the quality, limited colors and low and behold that some of the bolts of fabric were made in far off countries. It has been years now since I have seen any made in the USA.
Used to be at Walmart when you walked in the door there were banners proclaiming " WalMart supports
America ~ Buy Made in the USA" !! I have not seen one of those signs in over a decade. You are hard pressed to find ANYTHING at WalMart made in the USA today. And don't let them tell you 'we (Walmart) can't find that item made in the USA'. WalMart either owns the companies outright or they control them financially because of the sheer volumn of orders from WalMart. If WalMart wanted it made in the USA, it would be. They are the 10 ton elephant in the room. So are Target and a lot of other retailers. They have the control. Well, so do we as the buyer. If we had the guts to do without a little while and refuse to buy the JUNK made in other countries we would NOT have the trade deficits that are killing our country economically.
All of this brings me to Donna's post which she received from a friend. Donna's blog is a collection of pretty photos of home, family and her artwork. I have enjoyed reading it. Here is her post from Nov 6, 2011
So, here is the Birth of a New Tradition.
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian 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 plonking down the Benjamines 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 is the new American Christmas tradition.
Post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?
Now, I don't know who wrote this, like I said, I received it from two sources and figure I'll have more in my inbox as it get's closer to Christmas.
Let's not forget all of the wonderful blogging people we know who have Esty shops. There are some breath taking items in these shops. And, we'd be supporting each other. Prayer is our biggest gift to another, in my opinion.
Do what you like with this post. I took it from my email to share with all of you. Feel free to share this as well!
Abundant blessings, and may you have a Merry Christmas!!
Donna
Here is a link to her blog. http://grandma4five.blogspot.com/2011/11/birth-of-new-tradition.html
I hope you will read the entire post. And check out the rest of her blog. If you like hummingbirds she had a great post (with pics) of 'her' hummingbirds and feeders. Fantastic!
Think about what is written above. It is OUR LIVES, OUR FAMILIES' FUTURE at stake here. Our children and grandchildren are going to inherit this mess. It won't be fixed over night, it took decades to get where we are now, but it will never be 'fixed' if we don't start today.
I hope you all have a great weekend.
May God shed his blessings on each of you.
Mary
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