Have you ever noticed how a simple circumstance can lead one with a pondering mind to board a thought train that seems to lead to a multitude of destinations? With each stop at a side thought, a larger or more inclusive thought leads to the next.  

Like with many of you, the holidays can be a time of joyful chaos at my house. I'm blessed with the annual visit from my family into my simple abode that usually is home only to me and two felines. It now houses my mom, my kids and my granpup, BB McPup. BB McPup is an exuberant rescued puppy who assumes the cats are playmates and the cats, thoroughly disgusted, have taken up daytime residence under the bed.  

My youngest son, who has hinted in the past that I need a 'keeper', is immediately on guard for anything that may serve to make mom's life easier. With the task of preparing the traditional meal looming, he decided that I sadly lacked the necessary tools to expedite the job. He and my daughter-in-law returned a while later with a very sharp chopping knife and a big cutting board. All my knives are notoriously dull since my life has become one of solitude and little cooking. I'm afraid of sharp knives since acquiring an uncanny aptitude for finding any accident waiting to happen.

After being assured that a sharp knife was actually safer than my 'sawing' implements, my daughter-in-law demonstrated what not to do by severing her thumb near to the bone, tendon included. After six hours in the emergency room and a visit from an orthopedic surgeon, they returned home with her right hand encased in a cast-like affair rendering her totally left-handed and somewhat helpless.

Over the course of the next few days, we noticed her ability to call upon her left hand growing more pronounced. In addition, the four exposed digits on her right hand were working hard to compensate for her immobile thumb and palm. This, of course, got her to thinking about the 'connectedness' of all things in our bodies and minds. She mentioned that thought to me and the pondering train immediately pulled into my mind station. That one incident, and her summation of the results, has had me traveling all over the realm of mental resolution and enlightenment on just how this big Universal picture does kind of work.

I lack the room to detail the 'geography' of each ensuing stop on my thought train journey, but I managed to connect it all to the approaching New Year upon which we are all about to embark. None of us can know every circumstance each coming day will hold to alter our lives and how we think about things. Yet, my daughter-in-law's disabled thumb brought a realization of how all things do work together. When one fiber in this web of life's existence is disabled or out of service, the other fibers take up the slack and work together to balance the loss or the need. The mind develops new pathways of neural stimulus to produce new methods of accomplishing a task.

On the other hand, if one fiber resists its responsibility to contribute to the whole, or is unable to do so, the other fibers have to work much harder to remain a functioning unit. Many times when dilemmas seem overwhelming we tend to think, what can I do to change or improve such massive problems? I'm only one of billions. What good does it do to conserve one gallon of water, pick up one piece of litter, or rescue one homeless animal? What can I do to help our floundering nation and world regain its stability? The Planet, its health? Then, I looked at my daughter-in-law mastering eating with her left hand and holding a hand of gin rummy with the four exposed digits on her right.  

If nothing else, we can change the way we think. We can resort our priorities. We can vow to at least listen to an opposing opinion or idea. We can check on the elderly in a nursing home who have no family. We can donate a bag of food to the local animal shelter. We can make an effort to support our new president and contribute anything we are able to assist him as he faces almost overpowering challenges. We can take responsibility for what we are able regardless how small the effort might seem. Somewhere, another fiber in the life web will thank us.

I wish you all a most joyous, peaceful, and challenging New Year. May we all look forward to it with enthusiasm as to what promise it may hold and the courage to grow wiser, stronger, and survive what may be dealt to us. I wish everyone the incredible joy always found in a good laugh.      

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, book reviewer for AME Marketing out of San Diego and poetry editor for The Infinite Writer.. 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 is a contributor to a variety of editorials and excerpts of her work can be found in various E-zines, newsletters, and local papers.

Is government the 'fly in the ointment' to solving our nation's ever-growing list of priority problems? Are the true solutions with the private sector and the ingenuity of Americans when put to the challenge? I've always thought the real power for stability, growth, and renewed Global stature lies with 'we the people'. But, as 'we the people' descended into a society of division, consumerism, special and self-interest groups, and apathy, expecting government to solve all the problems, we dropped the ball.  

Unfortunately, big business and big labor, too, were caught up in the fray of favorable tax deductions, the strategies and corruption of lobbyists, stalls on standards and regulations, pork-barrel spending, political partisanship, and the profit and greed for a few at the expense of the many. But, for the ingenious and honest out there, hope dies hard. Investment in a future that will be profitable to all is alive and well and has continued in some areas of innovation. There do exist, a few government officials who still embrace the genuine American ideals and values. We simply don't hear enough about them as media, in general, has been trained to focus on and to badger and breathe life into the negative, the scandalous, and the ratings builders.

Earlier today, in my quest to think of something for a column that wouldn't fall into the 'more of the same' category, I was coming up empty. Moved to take a break from the computer, I decided to leaf through my new AARP magazine, as yet unopened. Suddenly, there it was!  A flash of light in the form of a short blurb in the News Briefs. A short blurb for what, it seems to me, should be a front page story on the air and print waves! Why hadn't this been given more national attention? It was the first I'd heard of it and I spend a lot of time searching through this kind of stuff.

On December 2, while the nation was focused on the antics of the governor of Alaska, the governor of Hawaii, Linda Lingle, and Hawaii's largest utility endorsed the plans to construct more than 70,000 recharging stations for electric vehicles by 2012 by investing in a joint-funded public-private project that will cost $70 million dollars in partnership with a California-based battery manufacturer by the name of "Better Place". Better Place which will build the stations and supply the batteries creating thousands of new jobs. Governor Lingle touted the project plans as a "major step in curbing emissions and rising energy costs."

California, with all its other problems, is, arguably, the leader in dealing with environmental issues and often serves as the standard bearer for other states to follow. Governor Lingle went on to say, "The state needs to do something. It spends nearly $7 billion each year on imported oil." My kudos to Governor Lingle and the State of Hawaii. Good things do come out of our newest island state, I must say.

"Better Place" is seeking similar deals with Israel, Australia, Denmark, and the San Francisco area. Don't you think it's about time the rest of the nation, including industry, woke up and jumped on board the movement toward the future? If we don't do something pretty soon, we will be left in the dust as the Globe moves on without us. Already, several nations rise above us in healthcare, education, energy production, and modern, high speed mass transit. While our infrastructure crumbles around us, we fall deeper into economic decline and lack of progress in developing renewable energy sources and independence. Have we been reduced to a nation of consumerism and a war machine? A nation of importers rather than exporters? A world follower instead of a world leader?  

When I read information such as this, I'm immediately inspired to write to my governor and my congressional representatives and ask, “What's the matter with Florida? Are we only good for oranges, tourism, and shuttle shots?” I'm moved to call my local paper and ask, “Why these kinds of stories aren't making front page headlines?” It's past time for America to awaken the 'Sleeping Giant' once again. It is all up to 'we the people' and the hopeful leadership that we've entrusted to our new president-elect. I think he is up to the challenge. What about us?  

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, book reviewer for AME Marketing out of San Diego and poetry editor for The Infinite Writer.. 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 is a contributor to a variety of editorials and excerpts of her work can be found in various E-zines, newsletters, and local papers.

In the months since I've been writing a column for Fabulously 40, I've developed a whole new healthy respect for the profession of journalism. I'm referring to those renowned daily columnists that must hold their reader's interest with their cognizance and articulation on a daily basis in the most read publications in the country, and even around the globe. To rise above redundancy, open new avenues in the thought process, and still remain current on issues and events without pummeling folks with almost ad nauseam detail is a feat. If we aren't aware of the perils of the planet, worry of wars, the emergency of economy, and the bungling of bail outs by now, we must be taking residence under a rock!
Being a writer of prose and poetry first, and a wannabe journalist second, this is especially challenging for me, even once a week. I surely don't wish to bore people with more of the same. We went through that in the two-year long election process. I must say, however, that period was a never-ending fount of something to rant about. I'm almost sorry it's over. Or is it? They're already projecting for 2012. It's a wonder anything ever gets done to solve the current dilemmas! I suppose you could say we are very adept at applying band-aids and erecting smoke screens to avoid real addressing of potential travesty. Re-election depends on it!
In my quest for a diverse column, I did a little research on PBS, Discovery, and the History Channel. With problems that are definitely current, definitely on-going, and my own burden of a pondering mind that often becomes my worst enemy, I thought to throw out a purely speculative theory and find out how others might feel. These crucial problems are not often delved into beyond the headlines and the more underground blogs. Yet, they are issues that could possibly all be related. I decided to live dangerously and rip off a band-aid or two.
Here's the overall picture. We have ever-rising rates of violent crime and gang warfare on our cities' streets; over-crowded prisons can't adequately deal with the influx; the criminal justice system is bogged down and nearly non-functional; budget deficits are appalling; local governments lack the funds for adequate law enforcement; the borders are war zones, and healthcare costs are soaring. Add to that, insufficient rehabilitation services and shortfalls in entitlement programs. Schools are no longer safe and an illegal weapon is easier to obtain than a college degree. Corruption runs rampant in government and agencies intended to serve.
So what is new and innovative about that, you might be asking yourself. We've been hearing about these problems for decades! And, that's the point. Why do they continue to worsen with no end in sight? What is the common denominator that weaves intricately throughout this entire big picture we are all so familiar with? I posit the answer is drugs ? the illegal kind. Illegal drug trafficking and addiction is the root force behind all the calamitous predicaments we deal with.
Last Friday, December 5th was the 75th anniversary of the Twenty-First Amendment which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment enacting Prohibition. That is the only instance in our history that an amendment that simply didn't work was amended! Why didn't it work? Intoxication, after all was immoral and harmful to the American Ideals. Why did it launch the period of more criminal activity, mob rule, gang warfare, broken families, over-taxed law enforcement, crowded correctional institutions, bogged court systems, corruption in government, lost jobs and insufficient treatment services and help for victims than any other time in our young history? More importantly, is there any correlation to this period and the problems we face today in regard to illegal drugs?
Prohibition and the war on alcohol did absolutely nothing to deter folks from drinking. Conversely, it created a whole new underground of criminals out of hopeless alcoholics who didn't even understand their disease and even social drinkers otherwise harmless. It created the supply and demand wars that led to violence and mayhem, profit and greed. What did we learn? We learned that government failed miserably at legislating morality. Before you have a criminal, you must have a crime. Before you have a business incentive, you must have a reasonable expectation that there is profit to be made. Think about it.
We all complain about purposeless wars. We lament the billions and billions spent and the lives lost in Iraq to what accomplishment. Is the threat of terrorism or nuclear weapons less because of it? Yet, we've spent untold billions more over decades on a "War on Drugs" that has done absolutely nothing to solve the problems but rather, has exacerbated them. Is drug addiction down? Have the suppliers, now world wide, been deterred? Have the gangs that entice young boys and girls to take up the street life because the prospect of a good education and a good job are a pipe dream been curtailed? Have prison sentences for possession dissuaded the users, or worse, the main dealers and suppliers who never seem to be caught? Have tons of confiscations that seem to disappear in the corridors of evidence rooms interrupted the supply? Or just driven the price up? Have the growers in the poppy fields been offered a sustaining alternative that would remove the power of protection by Al Qaeda?
Could all that money be more wisely spent simply by removing the crime and additionally applying licensing, distribution oversight, and taxes to the sale to fund social services, restoring neighborhoods, health care, education and rehabilitation? Would growers given a legal status open up whole new agriculture opportunities? Would less burdened law enforcement, courts and institutions be freed up to deal with more abusive crime and corruption like assault on person and property or embezzlement? Would those crimes, too, go down if addicts were able to ask for and receive treatment?  Thought food, girls. Just thought food.      

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, editing and publishing. She's 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 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.

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.