I’ve never been intrigued by the designation of ‘black’ as the fitting connotation to Friday after Thanksgiving’s official launch of the holiday shopping season. It sounded rather ominous to me, however, as far as color of ink is concerned, this season may fall into the more traditional color of the season . . . red.  

Retailers, already fighting the calendar’s late Thanksgiving date, are scrambling for innovative incentives to attract shoppers and last minute super specials are appearing at the outset. Shoppers are just as determined to wait for the next wave of price slashing. Many plan to combine gift-giving and necessities into one purchase. I suspect a lot of edibles and clothing will find themselves perched under trees in colorful gift wrap and the dreamed of electronics will still be residing on the wish lists.  

But, at this point, I don’t think anyone is anticipating yet another dissertation on the sad state of economical affairs. Nor, it is the time to offer unrealistic ‘what if’s’ or spiels of recriminations to the guilty.  It’s a time to make an effort to get into a positive frame of mind and look for the opportunities that often lie hidden in the shadows of hard times, or even poor past judgments. Perhaps, a return to practicality is the jump start to the culture change promised by the recent election.

As an avid reader and writer myself, I immediately thought of the opportunity to restore an interest in reading to small children. Instead of the expensive electronic toys and video games, we could purchase colorful books with accompanying coloring books and crayons. For teenagers, a practical gift of a U.S. Savings Bond can be obtained for less money than a sweater! Items of that nature would often be appreciated by adults as well. I’ve decided to make simple, genuine, and practical my holiday goal.

In this week of Thanksgiving and with December’s doorway upon us, I’ve taken the time to focus on my blessings. One which I am most grateful for are the opportunities I’ve been afforded to have a somewhat public voice with my writing endeavors. Many of you know that in addition to Fabulous 40, I also hold the position of contributor to a lively newsletter based in San Diego, the Fox and Quill, and as poetry editor for a popular e-zine, The Infinite Writer, based in Florida. Yet, my most precious accomplishment for me other than my books is my website which is non-commercial and geared specifically for peace, relaxation, and reflection.  

In the interest of my goal, I decided to use my simple talents to offer the gift of Nature’s Beauty and my Season’s Greetings to all my friends and valued readers. It will save a tree over the standard mailed out card, it will save time in an already stressful season, it will save money, and it will express my heart to those who matter. In that vein, I invite and offer you all my Christmas Poem and an inspiring moving Christmas trailer on the home page of my website. I’m not selling anything or ‘plugging’ anything, just sharing the Spirit of the Season the way I do best. Thank you, Yana, and thank you all for your kind support since my arriving in this wonderful Fabulous 40 community.
www.sucarha.com

“A Different Kind of Christmas”

The calendar is turning
It’s near the end of year.
A different kind of Christmas
Is about to be, I fear.

My list of gifts is growing
And money’s hard to find.
A different kind of Christmas
Is forming in my mind.

Oh, lights will still twinkle,
Snowflakes will still fall
A different kind of Christmas
Won’t change that at all.

Carols will still ring out,
And sleigh bells will still ring.
A different kind of Christmas
Will be in the gifts I bring.

My gifts won’t cost money,
New traditions I can start.
A different kind of Christmas
Will come from my heart.

I’ll give love and understanding,
Share a shoulder and a song.
A different kind of Christmas
To last the whole year long.

I’ll stand up for your honor,
Lend a helping hand
Hope a different kind of Christmas
Will spread across the land.

I’ll offer my forgiveness
Toss resentments all away.
Wish for yours to be returned
For the times I’ve strayed.

I’ll take the time to thank you
As we gather by the tree
For your part in our family
And all you’ve done for me.

Isn’t that what Christmas means?
Aren’t all its treasures free?
I think my different kind of Christmas
Is what was meant to be.  

 Susan Haley ~ 2008

Susan Haley, Author
RAINY DAY PEOPLE – A Novel
FIBERS IN THE WEB  

     **Susan Haley is the published author of two books, a Children’s E-book, several articles on networking, an award-winning poet, and the copy editor and book reviewer for Pepper Tree Press Publishing and book reviewer for AME Marketing out of San Diego. She also contributes a column to “The Florida Writer” the official magazine of the Florida Writers Association, of which she is Facilitator for the Sarasota County Chapter. The audio version of her novel “Rainy Day People” was awarded runner-up Finalist in the 2008 Indie Excellence National Book Awards. She also contributes a variety of editorials and excerpts of her work to various E-zines and newsletters and local papers.

In the midst of the financial maelstrom swirling around the nation and, for that matter, the globe, another point of realization is beginning to elicit attention and comments from the experts. Another kind of change sorely needs consideration. We find ourselves in what might be the worst economic dilemma our nation has faced since the years following 1929 yet we are, in effect, void of leadership and a sense of direction.

The present administration has, for all intents and purposes, divorced itself from any decisive sense of urgency or solution beyond threats of collapse and panic stirring. Secretary Paulsen doesn’t show any signs of having a clue as to the viable action required, and what they have enacted seems to have only made matters worse. In his defense, he’s stated that “facts changed” since the 700 billion dollar bailout failed to bring the promised stability to the credit market. Congress, displaying its usual degree of ineptitude, postponed a vote on rescuing the automobile industry until after the Thanksgiving holiday. Meanwhile, over the weekend we learn that the nation’s largest bank, Citibank, is about to fail and it’s crucial that they be rescued immediately, too.

As previously admitted, I’m no economist and I don’t harbor a lot of compassion for the travesty in which the ‘Big Three’ and the UAW presently find themselves. I’ve stated my opposition with throwing more money at a broken entity. Yet, one does have to wonder why a key industry that is the backbone which this industrial nation was built upon, and is indirectly responsible for three million jobs isn’t as vital as the banking industry which was also extending a tin cup with lack of a ‘plan’.

In past columns here at Fab 40, I’ve frequently referenced the obligation of government to adhere to the principles put forth in the U.S. Constitution. Yet, it is becoming increasingly apparent that a portion of those principles were mandates of a long bygone era. A time when communication, itself, was a rather slow process, transportation was often arduous, the number of those being represented, and the problems with the economy were miniscule in comparison to today’s various statistics. Men worked with their hands back then, food could be grown in your own yard, and wood could be chopped for heat. In a less mobile society, families were close and more able to help each other. It’s a different world now.  

In a world of hi-tech and instantaneous tumult, a system that allows a void of leadership for seventy-five days to accommodate a transition of power and authority is, in my opinion, archaic. The nation is literally crying out for a decisive direction to assuage the lack of confidence and fear of disaster. I almost cringe when I hear comments as to the need for any action by the incoming administration to be ‘appropriate’ to the protocol due the present lame duck do nothings. Tell that to the families who won’t be having much of a Christmas this year.

Perhaps, it’s time to consider a re-write of Constitutional Law which fails to meet the nation’s present day needs. Should the Electoral College determine the result of elections so that one state or district wields the power over all the electorate rather than the popular vote? Should total transparency and accountability be demanded by a review board before an elected official can hold office term after term after term based on financial resources, earmarks won for one state or region, or favors to the lobbying powers that be? Should amendments and executive orders be scrutinized as to Constitutional requirements and legality? ‘Executive Order’ has rewritten the meaning of ‘legal’ over recent years.

If anything good is to be gained by the drastic change of events exposing the real depth of political corruption over recent months, and the corrective change promised and needed coming to fruition, I believe it will be the ‘wakening of the sleeping giant’. In this case, the people. It’s imperative that we don’t go back to sleep again.

Wishing you all a peaceful and reflective Thanksgiving holiday. May you find a rainbow or two.  

Susan Haley, Author
RAINY DAY PEOPLE – A Novel
FIBERS IN THE WEB  

     **Susan Haley is the published author of two books, several articles and essays. She is an award-winning poet, copy editor and book reviewer for Pepper Tree Press Publishing and reviewer for AME Marketing out of San Diego. She also contributes a column to “The Florida Writer” the official magazine of the Florida Writers Association, of which she is Facilitator for the Sarasota County Chapter. The audio version of her novel “Rainy Day People” was awarded runner-up Finalist in the 2008 Indie Excellence National Book Awards. She also contributes a variety of editorials and excerpts of her work to various E-zines, newsletters and local papers.

We often think in terms of upward as being the positive direction, the forward motion, the rise to success, and the achievement of goals. It seems we are presently in the midst of a paradox in terms. The only rising, or upward, statistics on the ‘breaking news’ banners now are the ones penned in red ink. Again, my mind wanders to the cause and effect laws of a circular Universe; the ‘what goes up must come down’ rule. The question running around in the minds of most these days is: when do we hit bottom?

I’m not an economist. I try to absorb a fair amount of information on CNBCs Money Matters shows, but I confess that little of it makes a lot of sense to me. One gentleman was attempting to explain the roots of the mortgage crisis as the result of lenders taking on ‘risk’ mortgages because they would then bundle and sell to larger investor firms who in turn sold to foreign investors. Or something like that. My simple mind wondered why a large investor, foreign or domestic, with stock holders and employee investment accounts to answer to would buy a bundle of bad mortgages in the first place?  Then I remembered Enron.  

No matter which rising statistic one could address at the moment, whether it be unemployment, profit margin decline, bankruptcies and foreclosures, or consumer price indexes, the mindset of profit and greed and instant gratification has traveled full circle back to the tax payers who are now being told the buck stops here, with us. In order to survive, we must bail out, excuse me, ‘rescue’, the very institutions and corporations that devised this mess.

Still, I heard this morning that 75% of the American people were against the bail outs, including the loan to the failing automobile industry. I’m wondering now if the majority of the people have resigned themselves to the fact that band-aids on major wounds will no longer work. Borrowing even more money and throwing it after bad is an effort in futility. When in a free fall, postponing the hit doesn’t lessen the pain. Why not hit bottom, wipe the slate clean, and start the ascent side of the circle? I’d be interested in hearing some of your ideas on this issue.

I’ve always been of the principle that what’s learned hardest is well learned. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. What’s worked for is much more valuable than something handed on a platter. Maybe America needs to get back to basics. The kind of basics born of the first major Depression of the thirties. Families helping families, neighbors helping neighbors while the main impetus of the government was putting people to work. It surely was a generation of robust and determined people.

But, rising from the bottom will take patience above all else. Cultures are not changed overnight or even years; especially in a whole new era of global needs and diversity. Despite the technical and scientific advancements, the challenges are seven-fold by virtue of population and depletion of resources. No one ideal or one president or government or country is the most powerful in the world anymore. Ultimately, power does lie with the people in a basically collective goal. What we do with it is something else again. Either way, apparently, the buck stops here.  

Susan Haley, Author
RAINY DAY PEOPLE – A Novel
FIBERS IN THE WEB  

Susan Haley is the published author of two books, a Children’s E-book, several articles on networking, an award-winning poet, and the copy editor and book reviewer for Pepper Tree Press Publishing and book reviewer for AME Marketing out of San Diego. She also contributes a column to “The Florida Writer” the official magazine of the Florida Writers Association, of which she is Facilitator for the Sarasota County Chapter. The audio version of her novel “Rainy Day People” was awarded runner-up Finalist in the 2008 Indie Excellence National Book Awards. She also contributes a variety of editorials and excerpts of her work to various E-zines and newsletters and local papers.

You’ve all heard the well known clichés that refer to the circular nature of the Universe in which we dwell . . . what goes around comes around, or what we put out comes back to us, and the ending of one thing being the beginning of something else comes instantly to mind. I’m a firm believer in this boomerang nature and I embrace a Natural Law ‘cause and effect’ philosophy in my life. It works well in helping me to understand the physical realm, as well as on an individual level in my own manner of thinking, planning events, and charting courses. It serves me most, actually, in the more Spiritual elements of my life. The last few days, though, I’ve been pondering this premise as applied to an entire culture.

No one can deny that our culture experienced a monumental turning point in history a week ago today. Regardless our individual joy or disappointment at the results of our election, we all greet another new era in America. Personal feelings aside, few failed to be somewhat overwhelmed at the scene emanating from Grant Park in Chicago last Tuesday night. Few failed to be somewhat moved by the words of our new president-elect as he humbly accepted his mandate. Few, too, failed to acknowledge the affable and gracious congratulatory remarks offered by his opponent. For a while, the nation as a whole had truly come together.

For the last few days, I’ve taken time to let it all sink in and reflect over the last two years; the politics, the incessant rhetoric, the campaigns, the policies and promises. The incredible task facing the new president-elect is still almost mind boggling to me. No doubt a ray of hope has been ignited for the people, and both political parties have vowed to work together to bring solutions to what appear almost insurmountable problems. Yet already, there are the murmurings of discontent in the backrooms of Washington as the new administration is formed. Charges and counter-charges within the campaigns themselves are really getting rude and old to me. More importantly, folks are still faced with unsolved dilemmas that threaten to get worse before they get better. We the people watch and wait and wonder what’s next. And, that is exactly what we cannot do. We cannot just watch and wait.

I worry for the younger generations, even my own age group, who really can’t relate to the Great Depression of the Thirties. Even though I’ve heard many stories from my grandparents and parents, ethics and culture have changed dramatically in the last eighty years. Many simply won’t know how to cope should things reach that point again. The government is deeply in debt and there are going to be limits in what can be done. One thing is clear; drastic change is going to take time and a lot of help and understanding from each and every citizen.

The time for pursuing the blame game is past. Every element of our culture shoulders some of the blame. Even if through apathy or failing to be fully informed and demanding accountability from elected leaders, spending beyond means and feeding the profit machine, expecting government to solve all problems and corporations to meet all demands of a union,  lack of family planning, lack of ambition, lack of parental discipline and educating our children and ourselves to changing times. Everyone played some small part in the decline somewhere along the line, and everyone is going to have to play a part in the recovery if there is to be one. One president and one congress simply cannot do it without an unparalleled commitment from the people.

We can begin by joining forces in neighborhoods and communities. We can tighten our consumption of energy, volunteer with services presently provided by government so that government spending can be cut and budgets balanced, including our own. Even if we no longer have children in school, we can take interest in our schools by volunteering in after-school programs to allow their continuance. If we have school age children, we can demand less focus on entertainment and more focus on education. Kids are an invaluable resource and usually thrive when given responsibility. We can be a part of environmental and neighborhood cleanup and watch programs to aid law enforcement and fire fighters. There are a myriad of things we can do no matter how small they may seem.

It might be interesting, and fun too, to discuss ideas and share opinions on this topic right here at Fabulously 40. This column originated with a political and current events platform. The election may over, but political current events will be lively for some time to come. Someone commented on my last column regarding discussion and sharing ideas without rancor. By all means, we can do that. By all means we, as a nation, better.  

Susan Haley, Author
RAINY DAY PEOPLE – A Novel
FIBERS IN THE WEB  

     **Susan Haley is the published author of two books, several articles and essays. She is an award-winning poet, copy editor and book reviewer for Pepper Tree Press Publishing and reviewer for AME Marketing out of San Diego. She also contributes a column to “The Florida Writer” the official magazine of the Florida Writers Association, of which she is Facilitator for the Sarasota County Chapter. The audio version of her novel “Rainy Day People” was awarded runner-up Finalist in the 2008 Indie Excellence National Book Awards. She also contributes a variety of editorials and excerpts of her work to various E-zines, newsletters and local papers.

The last station on the line is in sight! Twenty-two months of American political history has been written amidst an almost unbelievable deluge of constantly changing ‘breaking news’ banners. National and world events have served as continual fodder for the oratory, the projections and predictions and the mood of the populace. Political historians are hard pressed to find a comparable presidential campaign; the list of ‘firsts’ is lengthy. Even Mother Nature got into the act forcing last minute changes to a National Convention schedule by whipping up a hurricane called Gustav. Or was that Ike? But, it’s been good for America!  

Events have shown light into corners of darkness, cracked glass ceilings, and broken down cultural barriers. The old strategical play books have been tossed aside and new maps of the political landscape have been drawn. The power of the Internet has totally altered the opportunities for ‘Main Street’ involvement and the ‘grass roots’ have grown into sprawling prairies reaching into towns and villages we’d never heard of prior. It’s been good for America!

Heretofore unknown journalists, analysts, talk show hosts and pundits have been launched into celebrity status as the broadcast networks vied for top spot in the ratings wars. Movies have been produced, television comedy shows have soared in popularity, and countless editorials and books have been authored to explore the deeper psyche of the American mind and culture. Crowds of literally tens of thousands have stood in line for hours and sometimes rain and crammed into stadiums and parks, gymnasiums and town halls while thousands more stood in the streets outside just to be a part of it all. Record amounts of campaign funds have been raised and spent as candidates fly to as many seven different states in one day. It’s been good for America!

The participants are battle worn. Eyelids are heavy with sleep deprivation and the rhetoric full of gaffes and slips of the tongue from repetition, and I’d guess by now, sore jaw muscles. Barack has gone gray haired before our eyes. Kids have sojourned through puberty! We’ve come through four DST time changes and the Beijing Olympics!  And, I’m totally convinced poor Cindy McCain has been recently replaced by a wax likeness which is propped dutifully behind her miraculously energetic husband on the stump. Obama may be the symbol of hope for the young, but I have to say John McCain has been pure inspiration to the possible vitality and humor of senior citizens. On the talk show circuit, he reigns king in his ability to ad lib and stir up a real belly laugh, even in his dissenters. Perhaps, he’s looking at a whole new career if Wednesday morning fails to deliver for him. But, it’s been good for America!  

And, it’s not just the candidates and their campaign entourage either. Chris Matthews actually appeared a bit green on TV this morning. I suspect the make-up artists, the hair stylists, and the camera people on these shows are stressed to the max, as well. I refuse to believe that Hillary and Sarah can look THAT good ALL the time without help and good angles and lighting. I’m doing good to put myself together by noon! But, it’s been good for America.

And now, the end station is in sight. Regardless, where any of you stand on this, the day before the grand finale, I urge you to get out and vote if you’ve not already done so. I do believe we are looking at a possible record turnout of eligible voters and lines will be long. Records have already been set in new registration numbers. Here in Florida, yesterday was the culmination of two weeks of early voting, and still some locations were reporting lines five blocks long. It’s been estimated that half of Florida has already voted. But, don’t be discouraged if you have to wait. It’s been a long ride, and often a bumpy one, but yes, it has been good for America.

I’d like to think that ‘We the People’ have made a giant leap forward in the last twenty-two months. We’re actually waking up, realizing what is facing us as a nation. Where we, as citizens, have fallen short of carrying our share of the load by being informed and watchful of those we elected to lead us. For being interested only in things that affected us personally. So yes, it is time for change. Change on our parts, too. We can, and we need to start asking what we must do to contribute to that change. We can start by voting on Tuesday.  

On Wednesday, whether you are joyful or disappointed with the outcome, and there will be both, we need to make a new resolution now. We need to vow to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Get involved in doing our share to help the new president clean up the mess and change our direction going into the future. We need to put resentment and past loyalties aside. We need to take responsibility, and through awareness and watchfulness, hold the new leaders to accountability and do what’s asked of us. It will be good for America.

If we fail to do that, in four years we’ll hear the same outcries, the same promises, and the same rhetoric and we’ll mumble and complain and ask ourselves why. But, down deep we’ll know the answer. That won’t be good for America or our kid’s futures.

My fondest good wishes to you all and thank you for your inspiring support of my columns over the last months of this campaign. I trust the future will bring much for us to discuss, too!    

Susan Haley, Author
RAINY DAY PEOPLE – A Novel
FIBERS IN THE WEB  

     **Susan Haley is the published author of two books, several articles on networking, an award-winning poet, and the copy editor and book reviewer for Pepper Tree Press Publishing and reviewer for AME Marketing out of San Diego. She also contributes a column to “The Florida Writer” the official magazine of the Florida Writers Association, of which she is Facilitator for the Sarasota County Chapter. The audio version of her novel “Rainy Day People” was recently awarded runner-up Finalist in the 2008 Indie Excellence National Book Awards. She also contributes a variety of editorials and excerpts of her work to various E-zines and newsletters and local papers.

The history of our race, and each individual’s experience, are sown thick with evidence that a truth is not hard to kill and that a lie told well is immortal.  ~  Mark Twain

Earlier, in the course of reading some other material as I was preparing to gear up the inner writing circuits, I came across the above quote by Mark Twain. It rather subtly lifted itself off the page and kind of adhered amidst other wandering thoughts. I’ve learned my own quirks over six decades of life and experience tells me that whenever something settles into my consciousness, or some inexplicable voice from within chatters at me, I’m supposed to pay attention. I’m not a reactionary thinker, but more one of those ‘delayed reaction’ types. I have second thoughts about everything and will ponder a premise from a plethora of directions. It’s that unsettling trait of which insomniacs are made.

It seems all one hears these days are laments; laments of all the negativity, the sensationalized attacks, outright lies, and permeating corruption in all areas of our lives. Now, two weeks away from the culmination of twenty months of political rhetoric and untold millions of dollars spent, we are hearing of possible fraud again looming in the inner chambers of voting machines, some states admitting they may not be adequately prepared to deal with record turnout, and deception running rampant in the voter registration process. Has it all been for naught?  

We’re bombarded with the anguish of the middle class as jobs and financial security, whole lives, seem to be dangling over a precipice. We watch in shock as a government scrambles to bail out the huge corporations and banks that gambled freely with money not theirs to risk. And, that these institutions were allowed to so by that same government with a lifting of regulations and oversight. Insult was added to injury when we realized the ‘rescue’ was going to be paid for the same way the disaster was created; with our, the victims, money. It seems like we are the only ones who don’t actually get to roll the dice!

 We watch with disgust as politician after politician is exposed for behavior and values not worthy of one elected to represent or lead us. We hear of the horrors of healthcare and the plight of the poor, the rape of the resources and the dire consequences of runaway national debt. We’re made aware of the erosion of education and the implosion of the American dream. Too, the powers that be know you’ve all been pummeled with the ever-running breaking news banners of the media, the in-depth analysis of the analysts, and yes, the verbose opinions of a lot better columnists than me.  

So what does all of this have to do with a simple statement uttered long ago by a since-passed philosopher and writer taking residence in my brain? Simple – everything I’ve just mentioned and all other evils you can think of. It came to me almost as an epiphany. Notice the reference to ‘truth’ in that quote. Notice, also, the reference to ‘individual’. I asked myself, what is the synonymous finite of an infinite concept – truth? I thought of one answer immediately; honesty; the loss of a simple thing like honesty in thinking and behavior. Whether it be with ourselves, our loved ones and friends, or the basic innate principles of an entire culture, there is a ripple in the pond effect that stems from that loss. It actually becomes an immortal lie and literally changes the course of history. No one is guilt free and that is, for me, a profound revelation. For what is a family, a community, a government, a nation, or a world but the sum total of its parts?

Remember the wooden puppet Pinocchio? What a great concept that little story was for kids. Every time Pinocchio told a lie, his nose grew. Why, if that were really the case, we’d all be lined up for a nose job by the sixth grade! Think about it the next time you tell your child or grandchild to answer the phone and tell someone you’re in the shower if you don’t feel like talking. Think about it the next time you’re considering calling in sick when you aren’t, or taking that pencil from the supply closet. Think about it when the bagger at the supermarket accidentally puts the apple pie belonging to the next person in line in your cloth carry bag.  

On a larger scale, think about it when you make that impulse buy on a credit card when you know you can’t really fit it in next month’s budget. Think about the time you got angry with a teacher because they gave your kid a bad grade, or the time you did their homework for them, or didn’t enforce TV curfews Think about whether you complained or not when the stock market was at the height of the ‘party’ and you were benefiting. Think about whether you took the time to check on the voting record of your district’s congressman. Think about those secret times you judged someone based on religion or race, or even gossip! And, think about it real hard before you vote on November 4th. Maybe things do ‘trickle up’ after all.

And an aside . . .

I do want to thank everyone for the kind and encouraging comments placed on many of my columns here. I do have a lighter side, I promise you. :) I just think this election period and the state of our nation and the world is so crucial, I owe it to myself and my fellows to speak up. Hopefully, as honestly as I can. I intend no disrespect to anyone and offer only thoughts to be considered.          

Susan Haley, Author
RAINY DAY PEOPLE – A Novel
FIBERS IN THE WEB