Buy American Made! The other day the maintenance man came to my apartment to fix the toilet and I learned that he had bought it and hundreds of others from Mexico because he said they were better made and cheaper. Then he went on to tell me that that company he bought them from had gone out of business. He learned that he would have to remove all of the toilets he had installed in various places around the county because no one sold the parts. But apparently a local hardware store found a place where they could order the parts and he is now able to fix the toilets.

Now, I've received several forwards over the course of a year about buying American or challenging me to look for the American made products when shopping in the store. So, after the ordeal with the toilet I decided to start with my bathroom and see what other items in there are not made in America. I am proud to announce that only two products in my bathroom are currently not made in the USA- Vicks Vapor Rub and a body wash. This means that 98% of what I use for dental care, hair care, skin care, cold remedies and cleaning products, etc. are made in the USA. That made me feel pretty good.

I challenge everyone to do the same. In fact, I wish there was a website that listed all the products that are made in the USA. It would be helpful.

Yesterday I was given a new used computer with all these neat electronic devices to go with it. I so wanted to paraphrase Jack Nicholson from the movie Batman and ask, "Where do you get such marvelous toys?" I was given a USB and a thumb nail attachment (am I calling them the right thing?) and a very odd looking thing called an iomega. Wow! I now realized how much I was missing with my dinosaur. But I'm still up and running with it, too. I've got too much research on my trusty dinosaur to scrap it completely.

Fireflies

As sung by Owl City

You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep

'Cause they'd fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You'd think me rude
But I would just stand and stare

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems

'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance

A foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
A disco ball is just hanging by a thread

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
'Cause I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep
(Please take me away from here)
When I'm far too tired to fall asleep

To ten million fireflies
I'm weird 'cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell

But I'll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
'Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
When I fall asleep

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams


I really like this song. I have been trying to think of what other group these guys remeind me of and I'm drawing a blank. On the one hand I think of Herbie Hancock because they're polytechnical. On the other hand- I don't know. At any rate I like this song because I can certainly identify with the lyrics.

Well, it's been an eventful couple of weeks.

I've learned that I will receive financial aid for the online courses with American Public University. Yay!

I've finally shaken the crud that is going around. No more sinus infection but I still have the nose bleeds.

The WWI book has almost sold out. The historical society is talking about having more printed. The WWII book has not gone to press yet and it has already generated some interest, with people signing up to purchase a copy.

I'm not sure but I think I might be channeling my inner '60's child. Hey, that's not so startling- I was born in 1965! Yesterday the e-quiet moment from Catholic Digest said something about the color of winter being in the imagination. That made me think of two different songs- Hazy Shade of Winter and California Dreamin'. So, today as I look at the dusting of snow on the parking lot and listen as the meteorologist says that we are not going to escape the blizzard of 2010, I offer up these two songs. It seems to me that Simon and Garfunkel were answered by the Mamas and the Papas- the songs complement each other.

Hazy Shade of Winter

Originally sang by Simon and Garfunkel
Remake by the Bangles

Time, time, time
See what's become of me

Time, time, time
See what's become of me
While I looked around
For my possibilities
I was so hard to please

Look around
Leaves are brown
And the sky
Is a hazy shade of winter

Hear the salvation army band
Down by the riverside
It's bound to be a better ride
Than what you've got planned
Carry a cup in your hand

Look around
Leaves are brown
And the sky
Is a hazy shade of winter

Hang on to your hopes my friend
That's an easy thing to say
But if your hopes should pass away
Simply pretend
That you can build them again

Look around
Grass is high
Fields are ripe
It's the springtime of my life

Seasons change with the scenery
Weaving time in a tapestry
Won't you stop and remember me

Look around
Leaves are brown
And the sky
It's a hazy shade of winter

Look around
Leaves are brown
There's a patch of snow on the ground




California Dreamin’

As sung by the Mamas and the Papas

All the leaves are brown
(All the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray.
(And the sky is gray).
I've been for a walk
(I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day.
(On a winter's day).

I'd be safe and warm
(I'd be safe and warm)
if I was in L.A.
(If I was in L.A.)
California dreamin'
(California dreamin') on such a winter's day.

Stopped in to a church I passed along the way.
Well I got down on my knees
(got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray.
(I pretend to pray).
You know the preacher likes the cold.
(preacher likes the cold).
He knows I'm gonna stay.
(knows I'm gonna stay).
California dreamin'
(California dreamin') on such a winter's day.

(Bridge)

All the leaves are brown
(All the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray.
(And the sky is gray).
I've been for a walk
(I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day.
(On a winter's day).

If I didn't tell her
(If I didn't tell her)
I could leave today.
(I could leave today).
California dreamin' (California dreamin')on such a winter's day,
California dreamin' on such a winter's day,
California dreamin' on such a winter's day.

Last night I wrestled with my bed. I was cold and sick to my stomach but I couldn't get comfortable enough to fall asleep. To add insult to injury, my Higher Power chose to put a song in my head. I could hear snatches of it but I had no idea what the song was or who sang it. Since I've been up this morning, I've had the opportunity to look it up. Don't know the significance of the song to me.

The Search is Over

As sung by Survivor

How can I convince you, what you see is real?
Who am I to blame you for doubting what you feel?
I was always reaching, you were just a girl I knew.
I took for granted the friend I have in you.

Chorus:
I was living for a dream, loving for a moment.
Taking on the world, that was just my style.
Now I look into your eyes, I can see forever.
The search is over, you were with me all the while.

Verse 2:
Can we last forever, will we fall apart?
At times it's so uncertain, these questions of the heart.
You've followed me through changes, and patiently you'd wait,
Till I came to my senses through some miracle of fate.

Chorus: (See above)

Bridge:
Now the miles stretch out behind me, loves that I have lost.
Broken hearts lie victims of the game.
Then good luck, it finally struck like lightning from the blue.
Every highway leads me back to you.

Verse 3:
Now at last I hold you, now all is said and done.
The search has come full circle.
Our destinies are one.
So if you ever loved me, show me that you give a damn.
You'll know for certain the man I really am.

Repeat Chorus

Finale:
Then I touched your hands, I can hear you whisper:
The Search is over, Love was right before my eyes.