Pacific Northwest Gardening: philosophy 101, 0 by

wrote:
Kayte, you have hit on the reason I don't bother watching cable TV, or any news shows at all. Too much I can do absolutely nothing about, even if I wanted to. Plus, the 'marketing' of news to the lowest common denominator in terms of human entertainment is just loathesome to me. I prefer to get my news via newspapers, radio,, and specific websites where I can 'titrate the dose' of human suffering I have to endure in order to be informed about the world.

Although the economy is certainly in a big slump that will likely go on for a few more years, I prefer to focus on the fact that in spite of record unemployement, most people are, in fact, still working. If we have 8% unemployment, that means we have 92% employed. I know that is small comfort to the many who are on unemployment insurance, or who are trying to find that first job or who are losing their homes, but I do think it's important to keep a perspective here. I, too, think it is important to support local businesses, but I also believe that the general idea of buying things just to keep the money moving in the economy is going to have to come to an end. That's how we got where we are. I like Kayte's idea of 'measuring' each purchase carefully. I wish I could say that I was better at that, but I am truly trying to be so.

I wish I could say that my slowing down on buying plants has something to do with the economy and people suffering, but I fear it does not. If it is a subliminal response it is buried very deeply. It has to do with only having 24 hours in a day and no staff in sight to work the garden for me - and also with my own physical suffering as at the end of a 12 hour gardening day I hurt pretty badly. I think it also has to do with changing tastes in gardening and wanting a cleaner look. This goes for the house as well. DH and I are getting very, very good at getting rid of junk we don't need or want. Hey, maybe that means we're getting ready for retirement!!

Here's a non-gardening photo for your enjoyment. I took this photo at the Chihuly Glass Bridge in Tacoma last week. That bridge has likely been photographed 10,000 times already.