On the lookout for Dots again!

In a very early post I wrote about the dearth of Dots at the grocery store, especially Crows, which are still my absolute favorite.    Since that time, I guess my ranting made their way to the proper authorities, because I can find Crows at almost any grocery store I go in to.   In fact, they are ofter sold down, and I find myself buying the last box(es.)

Now I'm on the rampage for Tropical Dots!  I have heard from sources in the know, that they are currently in production.  I still cannot find them on the grocery store shelves.  I do find Yogurt Dots or Sour Dots  (two of my least favorite) almost every time, but the only place I found Tropical Dots lately, was at a convenience store, and not one I visit very frequently, if at all.

Great candy, made in America, and I cannot find it!  Guess I've gotta start that write-in/call-in campaign again!  My cravings could probably help one more person get a job in the candy industry!

Maybe Oprah was right...

...about "not eating beef again."  Wasn't that because of the way some of them are raised and/or slaughtered?  Raising them in one thing; slaughtering them is another story with other issues.

I just finished a book called  Animal Factory by David Kirby, about CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations.)  In essence, factory farms.    Since I have an Ag background, through my schooling, I thought this was a rather positive idea.  When I was in college, in the early 70s, we went to visit some poultry farms in Indiana, which raised birds in confinement; and had laying hens in confinement.  This was thought to be efficient, healthy (enough) for the birds, and safe.  After reading Mr. Kirby's book, I'm beginning to question whether I want to eat any meat products at all!

The manure problems are enormous, and not that easy to deal with.  The documented failings of these farms to prevent pollution from getting into the water systems is appalling.  The air pollution and falling land prices for surrounding properties has been proven.  Last, but not least, the true welfare of the animals is practically non-existent.  And because they are often physically stressed, they are fed additives to help them cope.  These additives have an effect on our own personal health, on down the line, as those additives can be in the form of antibiotics and/or hormones that are not processed out of the food chain.  Just today there is news of a salmonella outbreak which appears to be antibiotic resistant, and at least one person has died. 

Farmland around here has become premium as housing developments take over.  Farming doesn't actually pay for the farmer to just farm.  They all have to keep outside jobs and this can lead to an 80 hour work week, or more!  Farming is truly a labor of love.

I'm starting to look for true organic food more and more, but its hard to find.  Since there are only two of us in the household, I'll pay the extra cost, jsut to keep myself healthier, and the true farmer in business.  Big business can't run everything!

When the new becomes the old becomes the new...

Is that confusing enough?  I say this because I like to haunt antique shops and flea markets.  I've been doing this for a few years now and I've seen a change in merchandise that's interesting, and confusing, to me.

I have been seeing items that are identical to things I've bought, or have been given as gifts, etc, years ago.  They're not "old" by antique standards (100 years or more?), but they're probably from the 70s, and perhaps early 80s.  Mostly dishes and glasssware. 

This got me to wondering...what's the "shelf life" of  a household item.  If I've kept it for 20 years, is it time to replace it, regardless of how good or useful  it may still be?  Should it be replaced with something "newer" just because it is newer?

 Have the owners of these items finally decided enough is enough, and they must go?  Or have the owners reached the ends of their lives, and the heirs are getting rid of these things because they have no sentimental attachment?

So there's my claim  that my (once) new stuff is now my old stuff, which is going to be someone else's new stuff!