I put up my fiber optic tree for the solstice…and Christmas. Will stay out until New Year’s Eve. Only lit at night when I’m home. The bulb gets very hot!
Some day, I’ll have to look into if it’s possible to upgrade it to an LED, which are less hot.
However, I make mine through Walgreens. One of the reasons I get cards from some people is they want to keep getting my cards. They’ve even told me as much. The reason I send them, even though our lives have diverted and we rarely see each other anymore, they are still dear friends in my heart. The front features my horse (used to be horses, but sigh…). The page behind the cover has several pictures from the past year. I prefer that than doing an essay of my past year as others like to do. Opposite that, the traditional greetings and wishing a happy new year.
Way back when money was tighter and making ones own cards a bit more limited and expensive, even if you printed your own, I used to pride myself on getting the best and usually funniest card for the least amount of money. Often, buying them the previous year once the 50 percent or better sales hit. :)
What is it with videoing every moment of one’s life? It’s why people can’t remember being at concerts and such. Their focus is way too much on getting a viral video and their phone screen, than living and experiencing the moment.
True enough. In many ways the EPA already pays to clean up the messes of mining and other companies at the expense of taxpayers. Most notably was an incident in Colorado some years ago. Much of the media was keen to blame the EPA for the spill of toxic mining waste, but better investigation pointed out the problem was caused by the mining industry that left the waste behind that the EPA was trying to contain and clean up. Meaning, it faded from the news cycle really, really fast in order to protect the mining industry from being held accountable. Can’t remember if any of the money used for the cleanup was ever recovered from the company that caused the issue. I’m sure a few searches might bring up some of the reporting of the time. Though, TT takes office, it’s quite possible it might get harder to find such information. The last time TT was president the emissions from the oil refinery I drive by on the way to work was noticeably worse. Wanted to believe it was my imagination, but it was worse. When Biden won the presidency suddenly there was work on the main smoke stack(?) and suddenly what was coming out was greatly reduced and whiter in color. The odor in the area greatly reduced. Did they just put off replacing expensive filters? Would they have replaced them if Trump had won the 2020 election? Will be paying attention to see if any noticeable changes. Unless I see cranes, I don’t expect it to be immediate. Or, what was likely last time, putting off maintenance necessary for reduced emissions.
I prefer when people call to say thank you, more than a thank you card. I do agree, it’s good to be acknowledged.