FOUR STATES PUZZLE

MILK BONE DOG BISCUITS - TRADITIONAL and MADE IN THE USA (CHECK BOX!)

MILKBONE.COM

Our dog just got a new box of the Milk Bone Flavor Snacks, which keeps her interested in what treat she's going to get today.  Sometimes if she isn't ready to eat it already, we find she has hidden it for later under her bed or in the folds of her blanket.  Our local stores don't carry the fancier options you'll see on the website.

MADE IN THE USA

(Image from Google Images)

Our dog likes variety so this is the box we bought.

DROUGHT IN CALIFORNIA - BUG INFESTATION EXPERIENCE

Spring has come weeks earlier than usual here in Southern California, and some of our Native California plant seeds have sprouted which we are very excited about after last years failed attempt to use Native Seeds to create a butterfly garden and habitat. 

We have also experienced our first bug infestation indoors, which we have been valiantly if not aggressively trying to combat with the least poisonous means.  We believe that the bugs are coming indoors in record numbers in search of water.  We found mosquito hawks hanging out on the walls of our bathroom waiting for mosquitos and what seemed to attract them was that we had socks presoaking in a small tub.  We also found fruit flies, roaches, water bugs, and other unidentifiable little insects, possibly babies.  These bugs quickly made it into our refrigerator where they seem to have frozen to death, into our stove, though we keep cleaning it, and into our microwave.  Although we know that West Nile Virus has been detected in the area, like anyone what we are most concerned about is the roaches. 

We have a dog who is very curious and loves to taste things.  We felt that, by making our own traps with boric acid powder and powdered sugar and putting them in places that would be difficult for the dog to get into, we would succeed.  It has been about a month now and our entire kitchen is closed off.  We think we are beginning to win but we do not want our dog to eat a dead roach full of poison.

Admitting to roaches is kind of embarrassing.  Reading about them, we know that they will eat anything, including the paste that keeps your wallpaper stuck to the walls and soap.   They are not an indication that you're a slob or have a filthy house.

But they don't have to eat much or that often and what they really do need is water.

What this means is that we cannot ever have any dishes drying, any water laying, any spills not cleaned up, including spills beneath the cooking surface of our gas stove. 

To be dramatic, one day I spilled some water, and before I could mop it up four bugs came running and were drinking at the edges of it as if it were a pond!

So when we change our dog's water, we started  taking her water bowl outdoors and throwing that water into the weeds rather than into the sink, in hopes that some of the bugs will stay out there!  As is, we already try to reuse very mildly soapy water, such as water from the third rinse of handwashables, to water our lemon tree.

If you're having the same problem with bugs...

The potion of boric acid powder, a poison, mixed with powdered sugar was suggested to us by an apartment building manager down the street.  She said that was what the Building Inspectors suggested.  Online there are a number of recipes and the suggestion that plain old baking soda can work too without the poison.  The idea is that it should be spread finely such as with an old toothbrush, in areas where the bugs are going to walk.  The idea is that some of them will eat other dead bugs or take it back to a "nest" where it will then kill  others.  Eventually the bugs get a heavy hint, give up, and take a hike?

But to where when they want water?

VINTAGE VALENTINE - CUPID and THE AMERICAN FLAG

FINDING AMERICAN MADE ITEMS IN DOLLAR AND DISCOUNT STORES - and FOOD INSECURITY IN THE UNITED STATES

We recently went to some local Dollar - Discount type stores looking for products that have been MADE IN THE USA and we did find a few, among all the imports from China and other countries.

This included a brand of contact-type paper that we hadn't heard about before.

Locally many of the Dollar-Discount stores have added FOOD purchasable using EBT-Food Stamps  and so we now have to look at labels to be sure that we are buying Pineapple from Hawaii and so on.

When it comes to food, having enough to eat, we have read that Americans throw out 40 % of the food they purchase.  We sure don't.  We make extra meals to freeze and we eat leftovers.  We hate to throw food out.

Once a year I go through the cabinets and look for expiration dates, anything we haven't gotten around to eating for whatever reason, put the stuff in bags and donate it to a local charity that feeds people once or twice a week.  Volunteer chefs there use what they have to create interesting meals.

We've heard about one local charity which picks fruit off peoples backyard trees and distributes it to food banks.

We encourage you to KEEP CHECKING LABELS!


We are especially concerned about cheap imports from China.  We have nothing against Chinese people.  In fact, we are concerned about the pollution and the working conditions of some Chinese who are worked like machines there.  We've heard that some Chinese workers have commit suicide rather than continue the work.  IF WE ARE SO AMERICAN... IF WE THINK SLAVERY IS WRONG... then why would it be OK to support inhumane treatment in the workplace of people in other countries by purchasing the product that is put out in these factories.

We will continue to seek out American Made Products when buying new, and seek used items in thrift stores and garage sales.

THIS NEW YEARS PARTY IS A BOMB - IN A GOOD WAY!

A MADE IN THE USA HOLIDAY SEASON - HOMELESS CHILDREN

Reading the news about how many hundreds of thousands of Children in the United States are homeless this Christmas, we wondered how we might be able to help while keeping to our own budget.

The first thing you should know is that the term "Homeless" doesn't just mean the people - often mentally ill and filthy - who are actually on the pavement sleeping in doorways at night. 

Homeless means that a person does not have a stable legal residence. 

It includes families that live in motel or hotel rooms, who sometimes have to leave for a few days and then come back each month.  It includes people who are living with or near family, sleeping on floors, in sheds, in unheated garages, and those who go from sofa to sofa belonging to friends and other people one knows.  Often those who are renting are carefully monitored by building owners and management so that they do not move people in without putting them on a lease and so they have to sneak or come and go, careful not to spend more than a week at a time. 

Many of the homeless children's paretns work for money, if not a living, but cannot make enough to save for deposits into apartments.  Others rely on U.S. government for benefits that buy them food and shelter.

There are homeless kids in families who are camping outdoor all year long, sometimes unable to stay in the same school district. 

There are homeless kids with one parent in shelters.  Some,  but few, of these shelters can guarantee that a stay with them will result in housing.

So let's say you are like us and you really cannot open your wallet too wide when it comes to charitable giving.  What can you do?

The first thing you can do is volunteer.  It's true that free labor has become part of big business.  Our local library refuses volunteer help unless a person commits to at least 6 months.  (This is probably why they are always hunting for volunteers.  In our opinion that is ridiculous!)  Generally we are opposed to the free labor of volunteerism because we think it's bad business.  We don't like the way so many school districts and even colleges expect it. 

But you would be surprised at how many places welcome volunteers for the half a day and even at short notice.  They have broken down the tasks they need done for that time into small, doable activities, like serving food or sorting through donated clothing.

The next thing you can do isn't specific to the holidays.  You may be able to give art and craft making supplies - fabric and yarn scraps,  plastic microwaveable containers that are good for pouring glue on and holding glitter, for instance.  (You'll be recycling.)  If you think you can read aloud or teach a specific craft, offer to do so for an hour a week or for an afternoon.

Consider dropping of good used clothing that your own children no longer wear to a family shelter or orphanage.

If you'd like to bake a cake or cookies to give away or make a hundred peanut butter sandwiches, call ahead to be sure they can accept them.

THAT FANCY FIGURE EIGHT

NON PROFITS AND DONATIONS - HOW TO BE SMART ABOUT IT!

It's easy to print up business cards and other brochures and literature that make untrue claims in order to collect money for a good cause.  You never know if that person who is wearing a Santa Suit and ringing a bell, or who is standing outside your supermarket with an official looking can is even going to turn over your donations to a real non-profit.

It's easy to turn your pockets inside out to give a few coins to someone, and we're not saying that all those people who need out there are frauds or that you need to give big or take tax deductions to give.

We're saying be careful, make phone calls, ask good questions, and also protect your privacy as a giver.  One of our friends gave a couple thousand dollars to a candidate she believed in years ago and her name, address, amount she gave, and other information are still on the Internet, and of course there is an assumption about her political affiliation because of it.  SO YOU MAY WANT SOME ASSURANCES THAT YOUR DONATION WILL ALWAYS REMAIN PRIVATE.

A way to start is to read some of the sites about NONPROFITS.  Here is a site that will lead you to MANY opportunities to find out more about the non-profit you may consider donating to:

NON PROFIT AND CHARITY EVALUATORS resource center

ICE SKATING AS A COUPLE IS A FUN THING TO DO!

From GraphicsFairy

HERE'S SOME IDEAS FOR YOU - ECONOMICS OF A HOLIDAY SEASON - KEEPING THE SPIRIT WITHOUT SPENDING

We had a small traditional Thanksgiving feast, laid back, and let "Black Friday" and other sales events go by without a purchase.  That's because we're on a budget and committed to keeping the spirit of the Holidays alive while staying on that budget.  We're committed to spending our money wisely, recycling, giving away things we don't need (without a tax deduction), being innovative and creative. 

We don't think that a Christmas Tree piled high with gifts is important.  In fact, this year we will decorate without a Christmas Tree.  The drought has raised prices on real ones and we will not buy a fake one; they're bad for our economy and not biodegradeable.

Here are some ideas for you:

Instead of buying Christmas stockings (they get bigger every year) go traditional and put out one knee sock or one shoe.

Use old Christmas cards again by using them hung on string in windows, cut them to make your own present-tags, or use them to make tree ornaments.

Use old Christmas wrap again.  Cut out the ripped, taped, or worn out parts and wrap smaller gifts with it.

Use fabric scraps or scarves for gift wrap.

Don't buy a tree.  There is no reason that gifts must be under a tree.

Ornaments can be shown off and appreciated by placing them in bowls for the table.

Pull out old, ethnic recipes, and give things like casseroles that can be frozen and thawed out for meals, as gifts.  (Call ahead and tell the person that's what you're giving them to be sure they will appreciate it and have room in their freezer.  Reuse the small #5 Plastic containers from store bought frozen meals for smaller portions.)

Have a "misfit" toy party.  You and your children's friends wrap a toy they used but which is in good condition that they are through with, bake a cake, and have the kids grab bag the toys.

Don't forget about caroling; cheering up others by appearing at their door with song is still a great gift... go by the nearest Assisted Living place in your neighborhood.  Last time we did this people cried "You remembered us!"

LADY LIBERTY AND TWO TURKEYS

AMERICAN FLAGS AND OTHER JUNK MADE IN CHINA IS NOT A PATRIOTIC PURCHASE

We needed to be reminded ourselves.  When you buy party supplies like paper plates and napkins that are DESIGNED with American Flags and so on and it's stamped Made in China, that is NOT a Patriotic Purchase.  Not to pick on China, but so much is imported from that country.  IF IT DOESN'T SAY MADE IN THE USA it's not a Patriotic Purchase no matter how it looks.  And Beware!  We have found things with big American Flags on the back so you don't read the "made in China" fine print!

CALIFORNIA PLASTIC BAG BAN : OPINION BY PATRIOTIC PURCHASE BLOGSPOT

California has now banned plastic shopping bags at stores within the whole state.  (Stores we've purchased at are allowing you to provide your own, or will sell you a paper bag for a dime and sometimes give away heavy promotional plastic bags or sell heavy plastic bags, destined, they hope, for reuse.  Though there have been local votes in some places, such as Los Angeles City, any further localization of this ecology driven law is pointless.

On the basis that so many plastic bags are imported from China and other countries rather made in the USA, we have for the last few years tried to find and use bags made in the USA, with little success except for cloth bags bought at Trader Joe's.

WE HAVE FOUND SHOPPING MORE CUMBERSOME THAN EVER.  We really want a bag from the store we just purchased in to carry our purchase out and around.  We try to carry some folded, previously used bags around, jammed in a purse or the backseat of a car, but despite our best efforts we still find ourselves out shopping and needing more bags.

We have been stopped when our own bags, bulging with purchases from more than one store, appeared suspicious to sales clerks or a buzzer went off at a store front through no fault of our own.  GREAT!  Recently we were carrying both Farmer's Market Produce and clothing bought on sale in one bag when we entered a third store on a shopping avenue and the buzzers went off.  Then again, we were once accidently charged for a library book at a cash register when we set the book down to get the wallet out.

MANY OF THE BAGS STORES ARE CHARGING A DOLLAR TO FIVE DOLLARS FOR  HEAVIER BAGS THAT STILL FALL APART RAPIDLY.  Often it's the handles that detach or we see a hole in the bottom after a couple uses.  Don't know how many uses you're getting from them, but we did try to machine wash a couple of them (in cold water) that looked a little stained or stinky and that did them in.  These heftier bags are often also made in China or other countries, and they are badly sewn and falling apart so rapidly, and then must be thrown out.  From the looks of them, they will take a very long time to degrade naturally, especially in that PLASTIC is one of the materials used for these bags, such as the ones that are plastic over woven straw. 

WE THINK THE IMPACT IS ON WATERWAYS and THE OCEAN WILL EVENTUALLY BE POSITIVE, but banning plastic bags is not enough...  Also what should be banned is fast food drink containers and lids and straws because this isn't so much about the bags but the LITTER BUGS WHO DON'T THROW THINGS AWAY PROPERLY...   Maybe PLASTIC IN GENERAL SHOULD NO LONGER BE USED... (Can you image, no more plastic shower curtain?  Picnic table cloth? ) Really that SEA OF PLASTIC IN THE PACIFIC THAT'S THE SIZE OF TEXAS is VERY TELLING...  However, SINCE PLASTIC BAGS ARE NECESSARY TO THROW TRASH OUT IN and the bags themselves go to the LANDFILLS we are not sure really how the plastic shopping bag ban will improve the ecological impact ON LAND!

WE JUST THINK THE COST OF THE BAGS WENT TO THE CONSUMER INSTEAD OF THE STORE.

Another phenomena is that BRING YOUR OWN BAGS seems to mean BAG YOUR OWN BAGS!  That is also saving stores money they should be paying employees.

YOUR FARMER'S MARKET IS A GREAT PLACE TO GET HEALTHIER PRODUCE and SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS BUT CAN YOU AFFORD IT?

One of the ways that we support the American Farmer and the American Economy is by shopping at our local Farmer's Markets.  One of them is "Organic Only" and very pricey (we'll say double than our Ralph's on many items) though the very fresh eggs are comparable in price.  Another doesn't have the Organic requirement of it's sellers, though many of the stalls do feature produce that is without the use of pesticides.

We previously mentioned that we are often unable to shop at Ralph's or the like - Von's and Albertsons for instance - due to the price increases and, though we support Union workers by purchasing at businesses that have Unions (and livable wages and retirement plans)  and we want to buy American made food as well as our first choice, we have found ourselves shopping a local "Dollar" type stores as well. 

By being willing to explore a bit further out (we know GAS PRICES) to say about a five mile radius of our neighborhood, shopping in markets owned by and targeted to Americans of Hispanic, Asian, and Armenian origins,  some recent immigrants to the United States, we have found a place that has produce that is fresh enough to last a couple weeks in our fridge for not too much more than the "dead the next day" produce from the Dollar type stores.

We still run into our Ralph's to see what's on sale and also what might appear in the back where they have racks of beat up canned goods, day old bakery items, and items that maybe never made it to the shelves in the first place.