Random Thopughts, Burps, and Lamentations for Autumn..

Can't help but notice that I am close to the oldest person I blog with...in the sense of who reads my blogs and responds, and those whom I read.
I used to be the youngest person around, but my height and looks made folks assume I was much older, so I teneded to get away with a lot of things, that, in retrospect, may have done me not much good. But I wouldn't have it any other way; our experiences, good and bad, make us who we are...
Thinking about a blog I always read - and my friend was writing, as she has before, about the shock and sadness inherent in Empty Nest Syndrome..As a childless person who had to pretty much run away from home to escape my 'family', I find it oddly reassuring that there are parents out there who care in a positive, and not a possessive way, that their nestlings are flapping their wings and ready to fly, perhaps not completely away, but further afield.
As Autumn comes sauntering along, I often take stock of what I'm up to and where I seem to be going...the Canadian economy certainly hasn't suffered the same way the Yanks' has, yet it affects us in things like food prices and a lack of tourism numbers like the past years, which, of course, directly affects my weekly Market business.
At the same time, Autumn means that folks will start seriously considering keeping warm in the future months, not to mention holiday prezzies, so, it seems to balance out.
Just because I spent an exhausting, frustrating morning trying to photograph all the new stuff I've been making for the upcoming season, I am going to inflict on my reading public pictures of hats and scarves I haven't even listed...this will motivate me to get them listed, in case someone actually likes something I've made enough to buy it...
Enjoy this beautifully-coloured transition period, before Winter sets in with any seriousness..kick a few piles of leaves and think of me...

Schemes and Dreams...

Just finished penning a submission to our best national newspaper, The Globe and Mail..they asked for submissions about what retirees, those about to retire, and those planning their retirement were going through.
Like the rest of the world, Canada is going through some severe financial spasms, not the least of which are bankrupt businesses absconding with, or unable to pay, pensions.
This is mostly about the private sector, and I thank all the gods that I was working for a municipality that not only has a strong Union, and thus a guaranteed pension fund, but a wonderful arragement, so that concievably, when the fund does well, we can get a bit of a raise...but we are guaranteed that our pensions will never be reduced, which is a very good thing.
Still, I live in the most expensive province in the country (Canada), so my little pension is struggling to be my everything financially...

All of us who are selling crafters (or at least trying to be) are cognizant of the difficulties attempting to make a living creates-the initial expenses far outweigh the profits, if any, and breaking even would be a thrill at this point. The downturn in the economy might preclude spending on non-essentials like crafts-hence my decision to stick with hats and scarves, since in many climates, they are a necessity.
Of course, you retort, I make jewelry also-aha, you are correct...but now simply assemble parts for inexpensive non-precious stone-or-metal jewelry, which many more can afford, and really, a bit of bling is good for the soul...and, by the way, on Etsy, at least, jewelry is still a huge seller.

If my submission to the paper is used in print, I'll put a link in my blog. I would also love to hear from readers from countries other than Canada - what is going on in their lives re the retirement, pension, or crafting issues..really! I try and read all kinds of newspapers online for a sense of what is going on in the world, but it's impersonal. I would find it fascinating to hear about what others are going through re these issues-so feel free!