I can attest:
It's a sobering experience for your baby to receive his registration card from the Selective Service System. Honey turned 18.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Boulder Daily Camera
Mum's the word for mom
Scientologists promote 'silent births'
By Aimee Heckel
April 22, 2006
When Morgan Kemmerlin entered the world, it was quiet.
Her mother was not screaming in pain. She wasn't firing profanities at the doctors or her husband, like in the movies. No one so much as announced, "It's a girl."
Morgan, now 10, experienced a "silent birth," a Scientology practice that has recently come under the spotlight with the birth of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' baby. The baby, a girl named Suri, was born this week.
Like the Kemmerlins, of Louisville, the Hollywood couple believes a silent birth limits the negative subconscious reactions people have during painful experiences.
By eliminating spoken words, you eliminate subconscious and illogical triggers that may pop up later in life, Scientologists say.
But people unfamiliar with the concept call it mysterious or weird. Others call it unnecessary. The Web site, Marriage.about.com, says a silent birth is not recommended by medical experts because, if taken too far, it can hinder family bonding and intimacy.
The Web site defines it as giving birth with no sounds, including music or expressions of pain. Some people don't speak to their child for a week, the site says.
Scientologist Rev. Patty Allread, of Englewood, says those are some of the biggest misconceptions. Allread says a silent birth only refers to spoken words.
"Believe me, the mother's going to moan, but maybe they try not to scream really loud and startle the baby," she said. "It's been long known babies have awareness inside the womb, and that's not strictly a Scientology idea. You just try to have as calm and as peaceful of an environment as possible."
She cites the "Dianetics" book, by L. Ron Hubbard, the foundation of Scientology: "Maintain silence in the presence of birth to save both the sanity of the mother and the child and safeguard the home to which they will go."
Scientology, which bills itself as a "practical religion," has five Colorado branches, including one on Pearl Street in Boulder. Allread said 13,000 people are on the state's mailing list and about 1,000 statewide are active members.
She said Scientology topics, such as silent birth, hit the mainstream media, churches are flooded with curious calls. The religion is young, founded in the 1950s.
Allread has three children, all who experienced natural, but not silent, births. She said she didn't know about it then or she would have chosen silence.
Doctors find ways to accommodate a silent birth. Instead of talking, they write or sign. And in an emergency, she said, no one would expect a doctor to risk the patients' welfare.
"It's a very personal and individual thing, giving birth, and a big tradition of mothers choosing what kind of birth they want to have," Allread said. "A peaceful and calm environment benefits the mother and child."
Cathy Kemmerlin, Morgan's mother, agrees. She compared her first traditional birth with her second two, which were silent with minimal drugs.
Scientology has no stance on whether a mother should use pain relievers.
Instead of speaking, Kemmerlin wrote and made gestures. She said she felt more aware, and her midwives seemed "in tune" with each other.
"I could relax in childbirth," Kemmerlin said. "It's a very different thing than having people coming in, they're chit-chatting and you're sitting there in pain."
Still, Mallory Mensah, a Louisville doula, frowns upon a totally silent labor and delivery. She said deep moaning helps the woman cope and helps her body open up.
"You'd be surprised how many noises you hear from women they'd never even think would come from them," Mensah said. "I encourage that, because it's important to get into an instinctual, primal state to really surrender to what your body needs to do."
And words can be encouraging and comforting, she said.
"I don't think it's very realistic to not talk," Mensah said. "When you're really at a birth, and you can see a woman is needing some help, words tend to be a way to help."
A smooth birth comes down to whatever the mother needs to keep her relaxed and feeling safe, Mensah said. A woman shouldn't feel restricted or guilty if she needs to talk, she said.
When she gave birth, Mensah said she wanted the lights dimmed and minimal talking. The first words her son heard were her Islamic husband whispering a prayer in his ear.
But she said she's attended other births with "hooting and hollering and cheering, and that's beautiful, too."
"If a woman feels safe and comfortable and supported, it's amazing what she can do," Mensah said.
Mum's the word for mom
Scientologists promote 'silent births'
By Aimee Heckel
April 22, 2006
When Morgan Kemmerlin entered the world, it was quiet.
Her mother was not screaming in pain. She wasn't firing profanities at the doctors or her husband, like in the movies. No one so much as announced, "It's a girl."
Morgan, now 10, experienced a "silent birth," a Scientology practice that has recently come under the spotlight with the birth of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' baby. The baby, a girl named Suri, was born this week.
Like the Kemmerlins, of Louisville, the Hollywood couple believes a silent birth limits the negative subconscious reactions people have during painful experiences.
By eliminating spoken words, you eliminate subconscious and illogical triggers that may pop up later in life, Scientologists say.
But people unfamiliar with the concept call it mysterious or weird. Others call it unnecessary. The Web site, Marriage.about.com, says a silent birth is not recommended by medical experts because, if taken too far, it can hinder family bonding and intimacy.
The Web site defines it as giving birth with no sounds, including music or expressions of pain. Some people don't speak to their child for a week, the site says.
Scientologist Rev. Patty Allread, of Englewood, says those are some of the biggest misconceptions. Allread says a silent birth only refers to spoken words.
"Believe me, the mother's going to moan, but maybe they try not to scream really loud and startle the baby," she said. "It's been long known babies have awareness inside the womb, and that's not strictly a Scientology idea. You just try to have as calm and as peaceful of an environment as possible."
She cites the "Dianetics" book, by L. Ron Hubbard, the foundation of Scientology: "Maintain silence in the presence of birth to save both the sanity of the mother and the child and safeguard the home to which they will go."
Scientology, which bills itself as a "practical religion," has five Colorado branches, including one on Pearl Street in Boulder. Allread said 13,000 people are on the state's mailing list and about 1,000 statewide are active members.
She said Scientology topics, such as silent birth, hit the mainstream media, churches are flooded with curious calls. The religion is young, founded in the 1950s.
Allread has three children, all who experienced natural, but not silent, births. She said she didn't know about it then or she would have chosen silence.
Doctors find ways to accommodate a silent birth. Instead of talking, they write or sign. And in an emergency, she said, no one would expect a doctor to risk the patients' welfare.
"It's a very personal and individual thing, giving birth, and a big tradition of mothers choosing what kind of birth they want to have," Allread said. "A peaceful and calm environment benefits the mother and child."
Cathy Kemmerlin, Morgan's mother, agrees. She compared her first traditional birth with her second two, which were silent with minimal drugs.
Scientology has no stance on whether a mother should use pain relievers.
Instead of speaking, Kemmerlin wrote and made gestures. She said she felt more aware, and her midwives seemed "in tune" with each other.
"I could relax in childbirth," Kemmerlin said. "It's a very different thing than having people coming in, they're chit-chatting and you're sitting there in pain."
Still, Mallory Mensah, a Louisville doula, frowns upon a totally silent labor and delivery. She said deep moaning helps the woman cope and helps her body open up.
"You'd be surprised how many noises you hear from women they'd never even think would come from them," Mensah said. "I encourage that, because it's important to get into an instinctual, primal state to really surrender to what your body needs to do."
And words can be encouraging and comforting, she said.
"I don't think it's very realistic to not talk," Mensah said. "When you're really at a birth, and you can see a woman is needing some help, words tend to be a way to help."
A smooth birth comes down to whatever the mother needs to keep her relaxed and feeling safe, Mensah said. A woman shouldn't feel restricted or guilty if she needs to talk, she said.
When she gave birth, Mensah said she wanted the lights dimmed and minimal talking. The first words her son heard were her Islamic husband whispering a prayer in his ear.
But she said she's attended other births with "hooting and hollering and cheering, and that's beautiful, too."
"If a woman feels safe and comfortable and supported, it's amazing what she can do," Mensah said.
Friday, April 14, 2006
I joined the "Nat'l Assn of Railroad Passengers'" in order to add my voice to the pleas to keep national train service available. Bush was going to cut Amtrak funding altogether but then decided to re-instate it minus a huge chunk of what was there. I read that dining car cooks and waiters have been protesting in Chicago since they likely be loosing their jobs.
I like to take long road trips but would like to have the option of train service when I become a senior citizen.
I like to take long road trips but would like to have the option of train service when I become a senior citizen.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
This is what I like to see:
"Drug firms 'hype up diseases to boost sales'".
Sometimes it takes a while for the media to hop on the Real News wagon since celebrities demand so much attention but they get around to it, bless their little hearts.
The gist:
Drug companies are inventing diseases to sell more of their products, it has been claimed. Scientists have accused major pharmaceutical firms of "medicalising" problems like high cholesterol or the symptoms of the menopause in a bid to increase profits.
Experts from around the world will meet in Australia today to discuss what they have labelled "disease-mongering".
The group, which includes experts from Britain, will gather in Newcastle, New South Wales, where researchers have been examining the issue. David Henry and Ray Moynihan, of Newcastle University, claim the industry is exaggerating conditions and turning them into something more serious.
Female sexual dysfunction, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and "restless legs" syndrome have all been promoted by the pharmaceutical industry in the hope of selling more drugs, they say....
Even shyness is routinely presented as a "social anxiety disorder" resulting in the person being prescribed anti-depressants.
"Drug firms 'hype up diseases to boost sales'".
Sometimes it takes a while for the media to hop on the Real News wagon since celebrities demand so much attention but they get around to it, bless their little hearts.
The gist:
Drug companies are inventing diseases to sell more of their products, it has been claimed. Scientists have accused major pharmaceutical firms of "medicalising" problems like high cholesterol or the symptoms of the menopause in a bid to increase profits.
Experts from around the world will meet in Australia today to discuss what they have labelled "disease-mongering".
The group, which includes experts from Britain, will gather in Newcastle, New South Wales, where researchers have been examining the issue. David Henry and Ray Moynihan, of Newcastle University, claim the industry is exaggerating conditions and turning them into something more serious.
Female sexual dysfunction, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and "restless legs" syndrome have all been promoted by the pharmaceutical industry in the hope of selling more drugs, they say....
Even shyness is routinely presented as a "social anxiety disorder" resulting in the person being prescribed anti-depressants.
Friday, March 24, 2006
When I think about going to Hollywood, I forget to imagine the pressure and the masses; the constant flow of people; the steady sound of traffic; the ease with which someone will lay on his car horn at 6:45am; the look and feel of dirt and grime that is part of lower income city life. No one scrubs the sidewalks and catches the spills as they happen.
But all those things take a back seat to the flowers everywhere and the view of the Griffith Park Observatory from the top floor of the apartment on Edgemont; the full moon above the palm trees; the golden sunsets blazing toward the east on Sunset Boulevard; the panorama from Barnsdall Park; the interesting array of ethnic food at Jon's; the buzz of the Los Feliz neighborhood; standing on the Santa Monica Pier waiting for that Asian guy to start his act; walking around Union Station and the downtown area.
Ashes and Snow exhibit in a temporary museum in the Pier parking lot.
Great trip.
But all those things take a back seat to the flowers everywhere and the view of the Griffith Park Observatory from the top floor of the apartment on Edgemont; the full moon above the palm trees; the golden sunsets blazing toward the east on Sunset Boulevard; the panorama from Barnsdall Park; the interesting array of ethnic food at Jon's; the buzz of the Los Feliz neighborhood; standing on the Santa Monica Pier waiting for that Asian guy to start his act; walking around Union Station and the downtown area.
Ashes and Snow exhibit in a temporary museum in the Pier parking lot.
Great trip.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
The ride turned out to be delightful and quick. We got the sleeper, the good side of the train, tasty meals included in the upgrade, beautiful weather. Now we are experiencing true cold weather in Hollywood, rain, some sleet and a tiny bit of snow in the western mountain peaks. In spite of that, the birds are singing, azaleas, camellias, and all sort of other plants are blooming. Nice to be here.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Amtrak :::sigh:::
I love to travel by train but Amtrak is so uneven in its presentation. Sometimes it's a great trip and sometimes it's dirty, stinky and slow as molasses. If someone has a heart attack in the middle of nowhere, the train stops and waits a couple of hours for an ambulance. Some of the back country scenery is staggeringly beautiful. The food is way overpriced. The club car has terrific 360º views. The seats are nice and wide but if you have a crabby old lady from Back East next to you complaining all the way, well, that's no fun. You have to remember to take a jacket or a blanket because it gets chilly at night.
I roped Sugar into travelling with me to LA by train for this trip. Looking forward to it. We were offered a cheap upgrade to a sleeper with meals included so this trip should great!
LA, here we come.
I love to travel by train but Amtrak is so uneven in its presentation. Sometimes it's a great trip and sometimes it's dirty, stinky and slow as molasses. If someone has a heart attack in the middle of nowhere, the train stops and waits a couple of hours for an ambulance. Some of the back country scenery is staggeringly beautiful. The food is way overpriced. The club car has terrific 360º views. The seats are nice and wide but if you have a crabby old lady from Back East next to you complaining all the way, well, that's no fun. You have to remember to take a jacket or a blanket because it gets chilly at night.
I roped Sugar into travelling with me to LA by train for this trip. Looking forward to it. We were offered a cheap upgrade to a sleeper with meals included so this trip should great!
LA, here we come.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
There is a lot to be said for not having upsetting people in your life. It's easy to step into the "I'll handle them" trap, but inevitably, the bright and shiny person will be darkened, even if just to the degree of getting annoyed or angry. Bright and shiny is worth protecting, even if you have to turn your back and start walking.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Finally, I cut the tether to a small and meaningless job that I've been staying with for no really good reason. It was time and the conditions ripened so that the decision was clear.
Big sigh of relief, lot of space in front of me and a surprising lack of concern about replacing the paltry sum of pocket cash I was making.
And a glorious early Spring day to boot.
Very nice.
Big sigh of relief, lot of space in front of me and a surprising lack of concern about replacing the paltry sum of pocket cash I was making.
And a glorious early Spring day to boot.
Very nice.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
After dropping Honey and Sugar at DIA, I saw a coyote running along the median.
Yesterday, dinner at the Med. Never fails to please. Presents included a new skillet, Godiva chocolate, flowers and some CDs from Wild Bird Center.
All in all, a very good day.
Yesterday, dinner at the Med. Never fails to please. Presents included a new skillet, Godiva chocolate, flowers and some CDs from Wild Bird Center.
All in all, a very good day.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Notable natural views of late:
Driving east from Longmont to I-25, seeing a large flock of birds flying west in undulating currents of air. The surprise that the flock kept going and going and going for at least 5 miles, criss crossing the road we were on.
A great blue heron standing in east Boulder creek. Still, alone.
Driving east from Longmont to I-25, seeing a large flock of birds flying west in undulating currents of air. The surprise that the flock kept going and going and going for at least 5 miles, criss crossing the road we were on.
A great blue heron standing in east Boulder creek. Still, alone.
Friday, February 03, 2006
I've spent the last few days in wonder at the games that large corporations play. Buy it, take away the space to display it, demand a credit, refuse to credit, demand a credit, refuse a credit, pretend a credit is going to come but it never will.
There is so much waste that sends me reeling out of the store.
Jamba Juice is now in the store - will it replace all the Starbucks cups in the shoppers' carts?
There is so much waste that sends me reeling out of the store.
Jamba Juice is now in the store - will it replace all the Starbucks cups in the shoppers' carts?
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
I spend a lot of time in grocery stores, since I work for one of the major companies that sell there. I'm partial to our local Kroger company, King Soopers, but interesting things are happening at Safeway. The company is changing the design to "Lifestyle" stores to make shopping an event, similar to shopping at Whole Foods or Wild Oats. I'm not sold on it. The fixtures are changing over to laminated plywood to appear more elegant, the lighting is more focused into spotlights, there are areas of "wood" flooring in produce and other places. You really have to make a dramatic adjustment when you walk into the store since it's darker than outside. The Safeway "White Shirts" are all over the stores, placing and replacing stacks of Vitamin Water and Firelogs.
King Soopers has gone the other direction, adding brighter lights to their stores. There is a real neighborhood feel to the ones here in Boulder, especially the one on Table Mesa Dr. Along with the genuine customer service at King Soopers, I appreciate that the management is a lot easier to deal with than Safeway management.
King Soopers has gone the other direction, adding brighter lights to their stores. There is a real neighborhood feel to the ones here in Boulder, especially the one on Table Mesa Dr. Along with the genuine customer service at King Soopers, I appreciate that the management is a lot easier to deal with than Safeway management.
Friday, January 20, 2006
This fella is spending a year at Disney World.
I can't imagine a year there, but more power to him. Spending a year doing anything you love is something to be proud of.
I can't imagine a year there, but more power to him. Spending a year doing anything you love is something to be proud of.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Thursday, January 12, 2006
The last few months, I've been working my way out of a dependence on convenience. I have plans that promise to be highly inconvenient but I want the product so I have to change my patterns.
First, I changed the accounts where I work, not for the convenience factor, but for the fact that I was getting lulled into the rhythm of the small picture. I enjoyed the place and the people but sometimes, too much agreement can stick a person where they don't really want to be.
Next, I arranged my schedule to work out 3 days a week and bought a yearly pass to the rec center. So far, I've been keeping to the schedule and finding little treasures such as the wet sauna and swimming in place against the jet sprays in the lazy river portion of the pool.
There are changes happening with the advent of our empty nest. Pulling my attention off this last one is harder than I imagined with lots of starts and stops. The other one is turning 21 in a couple of days. My body is becoming a little ole' lady! I just don't want my life to be one.
First, I changed the accounts where I work, not for the convenience factor, but for the fact that I was getting lulled into the rhythm of the small picture. I enjoyed the place and the people but sometimes, too much agreement can stick a person where they don't really want to be.
Next, I arranged my schedule to work out 3 days a week and bought a yearly pass to the rec center. So far, I've been keeping to the schedule and finding little treasures such as the wet sauna and swimming in place against the jet sprays in the lazy river portion of the pool.
There are changes happening with the advent of our empty nest. Pulling my attention off this last one is harder than I imagined with lots of starts and stops. The other one is turning 21 in a couple of days. My body is becoming a little ole' lady! I just don't want my life to be one.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
It's January 7th and I'm watering the yard out of necessity, not out of pleasure. We've had record snows in the mountains but it is so dry here on the plains. Dry and dusty winters are not my favorites.
On the other hand, it makes for pleasurable outings with the dogs. Bikers and walkers and joggers abound.
Someone recently asked me what my future holds. Gee, I'm not sure beyond an upcoming empty nest. This is an odd time of life for me. I always had future goals and plans for myself mocked up till I had kids. Their needs were so prodigious and I was so fascinated with the process of child raising that I'm just noticing how much of my attention has been wrapped up in this family.
I've been keeping an eye on the rest of the world but it surely looks different now that I can give it my full attention.
My next project? Mankind.
On the other hand, it makes for pleasurable outings with the dogs. Bikers and walkers and joggers abound.
Someone recently asked me what my future holds. Gee, I'm not sure beyond an upcoming empty nest. This is an odd time of life for me. I always had future goals and plans for myself mocked up till I had kids. Their needs were so prodigious and I was so fascinated with the process of child raising that I'm just noticing how much of my attention has been wrapped up in this family.
I've been keeping an eye on the rest of the world but it surely looks different now that I can give it my full attention.
My next project? Mankind.
Monday, January 02, 2006
in just by e.e. cummings
in Just-
spring when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame baloonman
whistles far and wee
and eddieandbill come
running from marbles and
piracies and it's
spring
when the world is puddle-wonderful
the queer
old baloonman whistles
far and wee
and bettyandisbel come dancing
from hop-scotch and jump-rope and
it's
spring
and
the
goat-footed
baloonMan whistles
far
and
wee
in Just-
spring when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame baloonman
whistles far and wee
and eddieandbill come
running from marbles and
piracies and it's
spring
when the world is puddle-wonderful
the queer
old baloonman whistles
far and wee
and bettyandisbel come dancing
from hop-scotch and jump-rope and
it's
spring
and
the
goat-footed
baloonMan whistles
far
and
wee
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
We didn't go to LA as planned due to some unfinished child-raising work but we did get to Glenwood Springs for a good thorough soak. In the 50s down here - we encountered snowy roads coming out of Eisenhower Tunnel and snow flurries around Copper Mountain. Vail Pass was icy and snowpacked and Glenwood was cloudy and cold. No matter - the water was 90º and 104º.
What I love about this pool in cool weather is the air just above the water. Early today, Sugar couldn't find me for the thick gray fog hovering just above the surface. At times, when the air is right, little swirls of wind - little tornados - dance down the pool.
Lots of people there from other countries. We have a good international mix here, but we kept running into other languages and accents all over the place there.
Great little one tank trip.
What I love about this pool in cool weather is the air just above the water. Early today, Sugar couldn't find me for the thick gray fog hovering just above the surface. At times, when the air is right, little swirls of wind - little tornados - dance down the pool.
Lots of people there from other countries. We have a good international mix here, but we kept running into other languages and accents all over the place there.
Great little one tank trip.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Christmas Eve. I did all I could to get all the product out and now it's just a holiday.
60º outside.
Smokey is visiting us for a few days. Doing errands with 3 dogs was fun. Roxie enjoyed sitting under Smokey while he stood and looked out the window.
Honey and Sugar are working on the new wood trim for the front hall. Sweetie is hanging around enjoying the dogs and getting things together for snowboarding tomorrow.
Life is good today.
60º outside.
Smokey is visiting us for a few days. Doing errands with 3 dogs was fun. Roxie enjoyed sitting under Smokey while he stood and looked out the window.
Honey and Sugar are working on the new wood trim for the front hall. Sweetie is hanging around enjoying the dogs and getting things together for snowboarding tomorrow.
Life is good today.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Swimming in the middle of winter is my new thing to do. I had talked myself into thinking that indoor pools were too cold, especially after the temperature drops below 60º outside. Somehow the rec center down the street worked it out so it's all fine. Once a week so far for the last month.
Christmas is more 'Xmas' this year than very holiday-y. Sugar and I are leaving for LA on the 27th to do more training. I'm already looking past the Christmas product, over the Valentine's Day stuff waiting in the back room, around the 25th which we'll spend at Eldora while the boys snowboard, and right though the 26th when I'll be scanning through all the leftovers for credits right to the Tuesday and getting on the train to LA.
Train rides still occur everyday, despite the notion that everyone flies. The last train trip was packed all the way there and all the way back. This one starts with a bus ride to Raton where the train waits for us to arrive (or we wait for the train). The big stop is in Albuquerque where were all get out while they clean the train - local sell us burritos and drinks and cheap jewelry and we call home. After dinner, the club car plays movies for those of us who can't entertain ourselves then lights go out around 9 or 10. This trip Sugar and I will be able to cuddle - something I wasn't able to do with the woman I was sitting next to last time. We wake up in eastern CA and arrive into LA around 8am. I miss the Desert Wind that went right from Denver through to LA.
Christmas is more 'Xmas' this year than very holiday-y. Sugar and I are leaving for LA on the 27th to do more training. I'm already looking past the Christmas product, over the Valentine's Day stuff waiting in the back room, around the 25th which we'll spend at Eldora while the boys snowboard, and right though the 26th when I'll be scanning through all the leftovers for credits right to the Tuesday and getting on the train to LA.
Train rides still occur everyday, despite the notion that everyone flies. The last train trip was packed all the way there and all the way back. This one starts with a bus ride to Raton where the train waits for us to arrive (or we wait for the train). The big stop is in Albuquerque where were all get out while they clean the train - local sell us burritos and drinks and cheap jewelry and we call home. After dinner, the club car plays movies for those of us who can't entertain ourselves then lights go out around 9 or 10. This trip Sugar and I will be able to cuddle - something I wasn't able to do with the woman I was sitting next to last time. We wake up in eastern CA and arrive into LA around 8am. I miss the Desert Wind that went right from Denver through to LA.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Sunday, December 18, 2005
We went to volunteer with the Emergency Family Assistance Holiday giveaway. I thought we would be handing out food but we got there and found the Share-a-Gift program in progress. In the past, I took my (then) young boys to the Share-a-Gift warehouses to sort toys beforehand but never went to the giveaway day when people came in to get toys. I was surprised to find myself not really wanting to assist 'shoppers' at first so I just dove in with a lady who didn't speak English. The first couple of shoppers were fine but as the big piles of toys and stuffed animals diminished, the last few rounds were sort of depressing. The good news is that they all left with new toys for the kids at the end of the tour. Note: at toy giveaways, show up first because they run through the batch for that shift - then once everyone is gone, they replenish for the next shift. So the last shoppers of the first day had less to choose from than the first shoppers of the second day.
::Sigh::
All this wealth and still, people are struggling to provide the simple things for their kids. I took leftovers from last Valentine's Day sales to San Juan del Centro. They were so pleased and said that some kids didn't give Valentines because their parents couldn't afford to buy the packages. Yes, I know there is the homemade option, but I guess that doesn't fly these days. Even if just the leftovers were redistributed in some orderly fashion, people could have things that they don't have now.
::Sigh::
All this wealth and still, people are struggling to provide the simple things for their kids. I took leftovers from last Valentine's Day sales to San Juan del Centro. They were so pleased and said that some kids didn't give Valentines because their parents couldn't afford to buy the packages. Yes, I know there is the homemade option, but I guess that doesn't fly these days. Even if just the leftovers were redistributed in some orderly fashion, people could have things that they don't have now.
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