Christmas Melancholy

As you may have noticed I have not posted for several days. After 15 days straight of company for Thanksgiving I am just wore out. Indeed it has been a rough end of the week for me. I am fighting a personal battle right now not to be a scrooge. I just was not finished giving thanks yet and then I feel like I got Christmas crammed down my throat.  O Wise One and I have made a decision we are fighting back. EVERYTHING this year is going to be homemade, American made, locally made or at the very least made in the USA. 

What has brought this on you may ask. Several things really. The last of our guests left on Monday and we spent the day processing the deer O Wise One had killed over the weekend. Starting jerky in the dehydrator, washing sheets and getting the house back in order. Tuesday morning we got up and watched our normal news and weather report out of Kansas City. We have a regular routine of watching the morning program and liked the team. Especially the little weather guy. Wednesday evening we find out that the same weather man  went home that morning and killed himself. I guess at 31 years of age he felt he couldn't go on. Even sadder leaving behind a young wife and child to mourn his loss. Even sadder was the  psychologist giving numbers on the amount of people that commit suicide during the Christmas Season.  That this beautiful young man could find no hope during a season that should symbolize hope and joy. 

Also this week a national manufacturer closed down their plant in the local town just one town over from where we live. Two weeks before Christmas no less! These folks are now without a job. A large majority of these employees are our neighbors and friends.  One young couple expecting a new baby in just a few months. Losing their healthcare also will hit hard. Because this company is moving their plant to Mexico. Below is a statement released by their company. 

HANESBRANDS TO CLOSE GEAR FOR SPORTS CHILLICOTHE, MO., PLANT WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Oct. 3, 2011) – HanesBrands today announced that it will close its Chillicothe, Mo., apparel decorating and screen-printing plant in December and move production to a new lower-cost company facility in Mexico.        “We regret the loss of jobs for our Chillicothe employees,” said Craig Peterson, Gear For Sports general manager of operations, finance and administration. “The Chillicothe plant is a well-run operation with a tremendous workforce. This decision is not a reflection on the capabilities and dedication of our employees. We would like to thank them for their contributions over the years.” To maintain competitiveness, HanesBrands is opening a new apparel decorating and screen-print facility in Reynosa, Mexico, that will replace the Chillicothe plant’s production for Gear For Sports and will supply other HanesBrands retail apparel businesses. The new plant will operate with lower costs and higher efficiency, consistent with HanesBrands supply chain strategy of operating fewer, larger facilities in lower-cost countries.

HanesBrands

HanesBrands is a leading socially responsible manufacturer and marketer of everyday basic apparel under some of the world’s strongest apparel brands, including Hanes, Champion, Playtex, Bali, JMS/Just My Size, barely there, Wonderbra and Gear For Sports. The company sells T-shirts, bras, panties, men’s underwear, children’s underwear, socks, hosiery, casualwear and activewear produced in the company’s low-cost global supply chain. Hanes has approximately 55,000 employees in more than 25 countries and takes pride in its strong reputation for ethical business practices. More information about the company and its corporate social responsibility initiatives, including environmental, social compliance and community improvement achievements, may be found on the Hanes corporate website atwww.hanesbrands.com. Hanes is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Partner of the Year for 2010 and 2011 and ranks No. 91 on Newsweek magazine’s Top 500 greenest U.S. company rankings.

My response to Hanes is that I hope these people in these "lower cost countries" are gonna buy your products from now on because I Won't.  I can sew just about anything including drawers and bras and this is one old broad that won't be buying your Wonderbras because I choose to support ( no pun intended)  companies that employ Americans.

So in the spirit of Christmas my husband loaded me up in the 1964 American made pickup truck and we put on a Willie Nelson Tape and we went to Amish Country. No Super Stores, no big box stores. No crowds, lots of parking and lots of help. Just remember where you step because that horse poop can be awful slippery.

Advertising was Great !

 Who wouldn't want a homemade basket maybe stuffed with a homemade apron and some homemade jam and cookies. Or maybe some herbal tea and mugs. Don't forget a jar of that local honey.

 I bought some beautiful 100 % cotton yarn that will make some beautiful pot holders and maybe  washcloths with some homemade soap to go in one of those baskets.

And no trip is complete without going to at least one quilt shop. And lets not forget that Missouri honey produced less than 5 miles from my door. And some beeswax for soaps. And some fresh goats milk and cow milk. Some creamy fresh butter to go with it.    

Now I know that everyone can't live near an Amish or Mennonite community but you can shop American. Better yet look around your own community. If nothing else there are so many great Etsy shops and sites out there selling goods produced right on their own farms.


At a time when we are supposed to be celebrating the greatest gift of all. God's gift of his own son sent to earth to save the souls of men. Search your own soul and maybe help a brother or a neighbor. Keep your community alive.


Invest in your community, invest in your nation, invest in your neighbor, invest in your brother. 

Shop American

Blessings from The Holler

The Canned Quilter