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| THURSDAY'S DAWN |
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| LIGHT'S IN FOUNTAIN GARDEN PARK |
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| RICE RESIDENCE ON WASHINGTON AVE. |
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| RESIDENCE ON 2ND ANDWASHINGTON |
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| LIGHTS ON S. 11TH ST. |
Saturday, 9:00 AM. 32 degrees F at the ferry dock, 31 on the back porch. Wind variable, calm with occasional very light gusts. The sky is mostly overcast and cloudy, the humidity 78% and the barometer at 30.17". The ten day forecast is for highs in the high twenties to low thirties, with a chance of light snow daily.
I have been looking for winter footwear, and specifically a shoepack traditionally made in Main for the last hundred and more years. Thinking I would buy them at one of the Ashland stores rather than out of a catalog, we went looking for them. Forget about it. Everything is made in China. Yes, the Chinese shoepacks are about half the cost of the American, but the quality is doubtful, and in any case, the customer should be the decision maker, not the seller.
Even the Canadian brands, which there were a number of, were upon examination made in China. What good does a North American Free Trade Agreement do anyone in North America, if everything to be traded is made in China anyway? And, what is the point of "buying local" if that is only a matter of where the merchandise is shipped to?
The "Buy Local" advocates care about their own pocketbooks, but not much about the jobs of American workers. Actually, I think it is more a matter of indifference and laziness than anything else, since clerks and store owners can offer only a blank stare when asked why they don't carry the "made in America" brand. I usually get the impression they think I am nuts or something. Well, the "Made in Main" shoepacks I want are available in the Lands End catalogue, and I will order them from there. So much for buying locally.
Even the Canadian brands, which there were a number of, were upon examination made in China. What good does a North American Free Trade Agreement do anyone in North America, if everything to be traded is made in China anyway? And, what is the point of "buying local" if that is only a matter of where the merchandise is shipped to?
The "Buy Local" advocates care about their own pocketbooks, but not much about the jobs of American workers. Actually, I think it is more a matter of indifference and laziness than anything else, since clerks and store owners can offer only a blank stare when asked why they don't carry the "made in America" brand. I usually get the impression they think I am nuts or something. Well, the "Made in Main" shoepacks I want are available in the Lands End catalogue, and I will order them from there. So much for buying locally.
Coming home yesterday in the early dark, we took the opportunity to drive about town a little looking at Holiday lights. Bayfield is over 50% absentee residents, so there are not as many decorated homes as one might expect, and those that are decorated are quite welcome.
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