Another holiday season has come to an end. Somehow we survived Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, but for some it wasn’t easy. Gas prices have risen for no apparent reason, but despite the increase, more than 90 percent of travelers opted to make that trip to Grandma’s home by automobile. But if you were living on the East Coast or had travel plans for there, you didn’t travel at all. The blizzard that pelted the East Coast even curtailed rail travel. On a positive note, retailers reportedly had their best year in quite some time. Returns were at an all-time low, mainly because many people purchased gift certificates—and no one returns a gift certificate. They just never use it.
ADVERTISEMENT |
Permit me to share some of the reactions, thoughts, and observations that boggled my mind during these past celebratory months.
First of all, there are just too many football bowl games, and the sponsorship for them has run amok. We now have the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, Chick-fil-A Bowl, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl, and the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. At least we didn’t have to contend with the Poulan/Weed Eater Independence Bowl this year. But what’s next—the Roto-Rooter Toilet Bowl?
…
Comments
Roundabouts
Hello Bill,
I have been reading your articles for the past few years with great pleasure. I am a fellow Michigander, so I definitely appreciate the references as well. I have to disagree with you on the roundabouts however. I had a year-long assignment in England several years ago and just like you, hated those awful circles. In England, sometimes, they were as small as a basketball! However, once I got used to them, I avoided traffic lights like the plague. Why stop when you don't have to? The same with four-way stop signs? How ludicrous to stop when no one is there?
The problem with our powers-that-be is that they don't properly explain how to use them and leave us drivers who have never seen a roundabout in our lives to fend for ourselves. They claim they've done a fabulous job with getting the message out (believe me, I actually had that conversation with the Macomb County Road Commissioner). Going to a bunch of senior home is not the only task that needs to be done to get the message out. What about seniors like you who are lounging in their hammock at home! Anyway, just wanted to say hang in there and give it some time. I promise, you'll love them!
Your fellow Michigander,Diane
Add new comment