Life In Kentucky

[stixman]

I've been watching to much TV lately. If a person believed everything that they saw in the news, things would be pretty depressing. According to the news everyone seems to be losing their home or car. Maybe they don't have enough to eat, but you know what I think maybe, it's not really that bad.

Here in Kentucky life seems pretty good. We work hard, plenty of food, the garden grows well, and when we have extra we share. I wonder how much hardship is real.

My family has been making walking sticks and canes for years. My father taught me the craft. Now I make and sell on the internet http://www.kywalkingstick.com I'm not complaining about the economy. I continue to make walking sticks and people continue to buy them, more that ever before. I may not get rich, but I'm not waiting on the government to feed me.

Why not visit my web site and take a look at the pictures of life here in Kentucky (Wolfe County).

I think things are pretty good here in Kentucky!!!!

[Sharon of the Dell]

I'm really glad for you! Maybe if I go turn my tv on, then off, my husband will have a job and i'll be selling all kinds of plants from my nursery! And all those closed shops in town will be open and thriving from lots of sales.And that long line down at the food bank will be gone because those people have jobs.And people that I've known my whole life don't move away because they have decent jobs here! yep, yep, yep!

[Howard Lobb]

Hello, Stixman...Great site!!!! It took me a long time to get through the site as I was caught by all the great music. I was also touched by the photos of great people around your neck of the woods. I have to say I looked twice at a couple of photos... One boy in there looked a lot like me as a youngster. Some of the photos could have been taken right out of the pages of our family album, took me back to a time when my life seemed simpler and folks smiled more. I grew up in many small sawmill towns around the province of British Columbia Canada, Dirt roads and tarpaper shacks miles out in the bush mountains lakes and streams... I thank God for a wonderfull childhood I enjoyed and thank you for the memories that flooded back as I watched the slides...Those sticks are awesome as the kids would say, fine work my friend...H

[bigEd_H]

Some people play the cards they are dealt and do well and then there are some who will complain regardless of whether they have a winning hand or not.

Ed

[Howard Lobb]

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[stixman]

Sorry to have caused some bad feelings. I was just thinking that if more people took the time to help their neighbor's rather than depending on the government to fix the problems, maybe there wouldb be less problems to fix.

[xsailer]

It's a good thought stixman. Depends on where you live somtimes as to how bad it is.

[Whittled Thumb]

I gota speak on this, comming from totally the other side. I had it all, money, 4x4 truck, sportscar big home...I lost my job and still to this day am not able to replace it. I make in a week what I used to pull down in a day and a half. My neighbor across the street, has been laid off since last sept, not being able to replace his job, he lost his brand new truck, my neighbor next door works in a dental lab that his father owns, his hours are cut to less than 30 a week.

This is not a grab for smypathy for me but it should give you some idea that yes, there is hardship out there and it is very much real, as I live it daily.

Thank your lucky stars for what you have and are able to keep, I myself am thankful for having my wife and two dogs. Its amazing the things you take for granted. I am much more humble today

Everything has a reason

[Mark Dellinger]

I have to chime in a little. It is rough all over depending upon what your area was manufacturing. My company is down 30-40% in sales from last year, which means our woirk force is down 40%. Many of the manufacturing facilities are closing down and the so called trickle down affect is trickling down, just not in the sense that the Government intended. I use to think that if yiou wanted to work and you were willling that you could always find work.
I spoke with a friend a couple of days ago who has been layed off for over 3 months. He applied for a level entry position and was competing with 750 other people. Pretty good indicator.
Stixman, I'm happy for you and your success. I'm also happy that I still am employed but My thoughts and prayers go out to all who have lost jobs.

Mark

[carver33]

Stixman,

Count your blessings. You and I are among the lucky ones (at least for now). Unfortunately, it's not the TV or newspapers telling stories - it's an actual fact. I know several people who have lost their jobs and are in danger of losing their homes. They are doing everything and anything to make ends meet. I have one friend who is a layed-off machine designer who is now delivering papers to meet the rent. Others are taking any and all full or part time jobs to hopefully keep themselves going.

You are lucky to have a business that seems to be weathering the hard times, but many of those who depended on larger businesses for their pay checks aren't nearly so lucky. Corporate America today no longer cares about it's "most valued asset - our people", only about the bottom line, a good showing on Wall Street and executive bonuses. They couldn't care less how many people lose their jobs, their homes and everything else they own.

Thankfully, we do have a government that is willing to try to alleviate the losses. If my taxes are going to help keep my neighbors from living on the streets and help feed their children, I'll gladly pay up.

My little rant (or one of many)