Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, factories around the world are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year can be different. This year Americans can give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in foreign-produced wrapping paper?

Everyone can use a hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American-owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamins on an Asian-made flat-screen? Perhaps those grateful gift receivers would like their driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, this isn't about big national chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by a local owner?

Thinking about a gift for a single mom? Any mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

Computers need tune-ups from time-to-time, and I KNOW we can find someone who is struggling to get a repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal? Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner-operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand foreign-made lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas should no longer be about draining American pockets so that foreign markets can flourish. Christmas should be about caring about encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS can be the new American Christmas tradition... a revolution of caring about each other. And isn't that what Christmas is about?

Thanksgiving in New Orleans

I thought I would wait for pictures to post our trip but that is Carl's job and he has not had the time. So here is the pictureless report on our trip.

We went with our friends, Bill & Susan, and left from their house on Wednesday about 6:30 p.m. We drove to Sealy, just west of Houston, and stopped for the night. On Thursday morning we watched some of the Thanksgiving parade and headed out about 11:00 a.m.

Reached New Orleans around 5:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. We stayed in the French Quarter in a beautiful old hotel that has been acquired by Holiday Inn Express. We thought we had reservations but when we called to confirm, there was no answer. We checked with the concierge and were told that there were only two places that were not sold out -- both were buffets which didn't excite us. Then the security man said he had a cousin who was in Food Service at the Ritz Carlton and thought he could get us in. That didn't work out but then he had another relative who worked in Food Service at Brennan's and he got us in at 9:00 p.m. We had an amazingly wonderful dinner for an obscene price, but now I've eaten at Brennan's!

Friday it rained almost all day but didn't slow us down a bit! We did a jazz brunch at The Court of Two Sisters which was FABULOUS and the 4 of us would do it again in a heartbeat! We found a wonderful yarn shop, I got some amazing gray suede boots for $40, we enjoyed some female street musicians, and had some wonderful regional food at a hole in the wall close to our hotel.

Saturday dawned beautiful: we found a wonderful place for breakfast and then got on the trolley to the Garden District. Found another wonderful yarn store, lingered at a sidewalk cafe and visited with other customers, and bought a wonderful long sweater vest. Had Travelzoo.com coupons for dinner in the restaurant at the Bourbon on Orleans hotel -- FABULOUS!

Left for home about 9:30 a.m.; arrived home about 8:00 p.m.

We would definitely do Thanksgiving in New Orleans again!

Pictures may follow. . . .

Weekend at the Ranch

A couple of weekends ago we drove out to Maxie and Sharon’s ranch in West Texas--about a 4-1/2 hour trip from home. They have been building a 30’ X 40’ cabin and Maxie was ready to install lighting and electric outlets. So, while Maxie and Carl spent their time being productive, Linda and Sharon… not so much. They did get a lot of reading done, however.

When we are at the ranch, we usually spend the morning and part of the afternoon working on one project or another, then it is nap time. In the late afternoon we all pile into the Ranger four-wheeler and take a tour of the ranch to check deer feeders, and see how many critters we can spot. Saturday’s tour was a bit chilly, but still a lot of fun.

Saturday evening was spent around the propane furnace. It was an opportunity to celebrate Linda’s birthday. As you can see, she was thrilled with her gift from Sharon. Cute P.J.s! Of course, Linda is always thrilled to get presents. In fact she would grin if you gave her a mud pie.

Sunday morning Carl went out to see what was stirring. He looked down the road and saw what looked like a javelina. Sure enough, there he was eating corn from a deer feeder. Carl approached from down-wind and was able to get to about 15-feet before the javelina heard the camera shutter clicking. The animal started coming toward Carl, so he decided that was close enough.

Sunday we headed home while Maxie and Sharon went to Pecos, where he is working as interim school superintendent. He is in the middle of a search for a superintendent and has high hopes to get back to retirement by February.

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Veterans Day At Middle School

Well, Veterans Day turned out pretty neat here in Canyon Lake. Mountain Valley Middle School hosted local veterans for a luncheon. I attended as one of several vets from the Lions Club and had lunch with the sixth graders. There were about 20 of us.

We arrived and signed in with our rank and branch of service. After lunch we were each introduced... "Captain Conger"... Two introductions were "Master Sergeant Huffman, and Master Sergeant Huffman" a married couple.

The kids whooped it up and applauded every introduction. Then they had a drawing for a couple of door prizes. I was one whose name was drawn. When the two of us went up to get our prizes, we were told that we had a choice. The first option was a certificate for a free haircut from a local barber. Since both of us had the same hair-style, we demurred and chose another option.

It was a fun time for all.

The Blog is Back!

I haven't posted anything on our blog since January; I got all caught up in Facebook and, frankly, I didn't think I had anything interesting enough to put on a blog.

However, Carl recently persuaded me to start up again, just so we have a record of our activities and our pictures. Further, he persuaded me that our friends and family would find our activities interesting!

So stay tuned for more activities from Congers in Paradise!

2010

I'm not much into introspection but I've done some of it in the last couple of months: in November because I turned 61, and in the past couple of days because I realize I an entering my 8th decade! I can remember a time when I thought 61 was "dead with old age" and that NO ONE could possible live through 8 decades. What I have come to realize is that I've had an amazing journey and I still have many, many things I want to do. Here's a sample:

1. Complete our project of visiting all the National Parks and Monuments;
2. Complete our project of visiting all 50 states (12 to go!);
3. Visit my nephew and his wife in Mozambique;
4. Learn to knit;
5. Shoot 100 or better on the golf course;
6. Visit Tuscany;
7. Attend the Rose Bowl Parade;
8. Take a trip on the Orient Express;
9. Obtain a Master Naturalist certification;
10. Take piano lessons;
11. Take liberal arts classes;
12. View the fall colors in New England.

Now that's a lot to live for!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY!

Burnett Family Reunion

We had a great time with the Burnett Clan (Linda's family) on South Padre Island, Texas!

David Adams brought crab and salmon when he and Denali came down here from Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Mmmmmmm! We ate until we popped.