"Weighing" In

The current sub-story that continually comes to the surface these days is the Fatting of America. It has been getting a lot of play because of Michelle Obama's push for better nutrition for school kids. And because of new laws requiring calorie counts on menus. These are government backed brainstorms to fix a 'growing' problem.

The government is also the reason, though it seems to be the last to realize it. The culprit, of course, is diet. Having stepped on the scale this morning I am hugely aware of it! That, however, is of my own doing over the holidays. Other than the annual indulgences which most of us give in to, it can be hard to get all the fruit and vegetables we need. Why? Price.

For seniors, it's extra tough. We didn't get a cost of living increase for the second year in a row because they don't count the cost of fuel or food in the consumer price index, making it appear there is no inflation. Of course there is, but that's government bookkeeping.

In this morning's Wall Street Journal we find another government aided cause.  Joblessness.

Why studies are needed to figure these things out is beyond me. No job, less has to go further. Especially money and food! What's most expensive? Fruit and vegetables! What's least? Food laden with starch, fat and sugar.

Sure, people abuse themselves when it comes to indulgence. I do. Especially during the holidays. January always brings with it a month on the strict version of the South Beach! But when it's all you can afford to eat and feed your family, that's the way it goes. It's not all the parent's fault!

Could parents encourage their kids to become more active? Absolutely. Could they themselves? Absolutely. But when do the bad calories out weigh good exercise?

Rather than spending money on studies to figure out joblessness makes for poor diet, would it not be better spent putting people back to work and getting the price of healthy food back to affordable levels?

I don't think Congress has a clue how to do either. Neither party. So they'll continue to wring their hands then decide to send the TSA, or some like minded organization, out to monitor our shopping bags and our dinner tables.

Tonight, on mine, they'll find soup and salad. We can afford the greens this week. And that's about all!

McEuen Field ~ Maybe a Not-So-Merry-Go-Round

We have a park here in town  about to undergo some major renovations. There has been a team working on a plan for quite some time. It is not without controversy, which is standard. Many would like it to remain as is. Others, including the team, want it to become a "destination" park, whatever that is.

The concept was unveiled in the paper last week. It is ambitious and bound to be expensive. Where the money will come from will be a major issue.

It has a Facebook page. There is to be a public meeting for discussions, questions and suggestions. On the surface, that all sounds wonderful, but if you've lived in this area for a time you probably realize things are not necessarily as rosy as they may seem.

Here's where I see a potential snag. A 90 year old carousel that was a mainstay on a long gone pier back in the 40's and 50's has become available. Post Falls, our next door neighbor, would take it if Coeur d'Alene decides against it. It belongs in Coeur d'Alene.

It could face demise, be broken up and sold piecemeal as have so many others. It is one of only about 100 left. This too is something that has to be paid for and a structure of some sort would be needed to protect it from the elements. I'm not so sure about that if it is restored properly. Many, like the one pictured in Paris, as you can see, stands on it's own.

A private group is looking into this as a possibility along with funding mechanisms.

Now granted, it doesn't need to go in the revamped park. What troubles me, however, is a comment by the Mayor who said "We're not looking at buildings, per se, so I don't know if it could fit." Let that red flag that just went up be overly active paranoia on my part!

My question, if the plan before us is truly only a concept open for discussion, why couldn't it fit? The steering committee's mission statement says,

Our mission is to develop a dynamic master plan, that allows the park to evolve into a destination park, with compelling and memorable features that serve the greatest number of uses for the greatest number of people, of all ages and abilities... "

What better attraction for kids?  What better piece of memorabilia of the city's past?

Okay.  I love carousels.  The music and the animals are enchanting.  If it hadn't been for space constraints when I started, I'd be carving carousel animals rather than chess sets.  I grew up visiting the historic Kennywood Park carousel in West Mifflin, PA.  I spent my free time in Paris wandering the streets looking for and photographing their many carousels.

Let my fears be unfounded that this is an opportunity about to be missed.  It's just that sometimes things we're told are open for discussion have already been decided. It has been known to be the nature of local politics.

As The Year Wanes

In the on going holiday bustle I haven't had much time for posting. It isn't that I haven't had lots to say, but since I'm usually more negative than positive, I thought I'd give it a rest.

I've been thinking about poor old father time. It's no wonder he appears not only old, but also totally whacked out. He is the metaphor for the year soon to be past!

 I think the baby New Year will be a baby for about one day. Things are that bad. The weather around the world. The wars. The economy. The politics. There would seem to be nothing to rally around or cheer!

So it's a good time to narrow the focus, even if just for a while. Most of us have our homes, our families and our friends. Our pets and their unequivocal love. Food on our tables. Peace in the evening after a busy day gone by. A warm bed in which to sleep and a warm house in which to wake. All in all, not so bad.

Even if budgets are tighter than we'd like and politics less than encouraging, we are still so fortunate to live in this country.   Even with all it's warts.

It's so much better than the cancers with which so many others must contend.

Well, Christmas dinner is mine this year; Hub had Thanksgiving and it was superb. I look at our menu. It will be a good meal. Prepared and shared with love. Ahh, the anticipation.

How wonderful we can still celebrate, really celebrate, the holiday, each in our own way, without fear. America. Though it may be a bit tarnished, it's still easy to find parts that shine. And shine they do.

All Things Come To Those Who Wait ~ And Remember

Hub tells me I have a great mind for trivia. In some cases it can prove valuable. Like clearing up a puzzle that has bothered me for months.

Some time ago our State Department involved itself in the dispute over a perfectly legal election that took place in Honduras. The President wanted to change the constitution so he, like his mentor Chavez in Venezuela, could remain in power for life even though he had been soundly defeated. Said President was a scoundrel. Why the State Department chose to back him against the newly elected President and the totally legal actions of their courts and military in escorting him out of the country was beyond my comprehension.

The story dragged on for awhile. Zayala found refuge in Brazil and sat straddling the border for some time in an effort to gain his way back. He failed.

Buy why? Well, thanks to a couple of Wikileaked cables, the saga is at least partially cleared up. It is disgusting.

According to Mary Anastasia O'Grady, in this morning's Wall Street Journal,  it was done to appease Chavez who is the power in the region. He has more allies in Latin America than we do, so...

We wanted Zayala portrayed as he himself wanted - a benevolent leader put upon by the powerful. What twisted logic! Our people on the ground even told State that allegations against him were well founded yet the State Department refused to release the credible analysis.

Here is a case where the little guy won. Honduras, it's people and it's government. Here is a case where the United States looks totally inept in trying to pacify a dictator who hates everything about us. It didn't work. We should be ashamed of ourselves. We aren't. I'm sure they figure most of us have forgotten about it.

Well, I haven't. If this is our foreign policy; where we put expedience toward a petty dictator before our own values, it's no wonder respect for the United States is dwindling.

Does Afghanistan ring a bell? Expedience toward a petty dictator - wanna be? If there is a God on our side, may He guide us! With actions such as these, we surely need it.