Happy new decade.

A line from an earlier presidential debate was, "it's the economy, stupid."  As we enter a new decade let's remember that the real economy is not something you can measure in dollars and cents. As we enter an election year and a new decade, we'll hear a lot about the economy — how it's doing. The more important question is "How are we doing?" The stock market seems OK these days. The lives of the common folk maybe not so good.

In the meantime, I spent parts of the last three days clearing hog wire and barbed wire from our woods. The wire had been there for generations and had become broken and trampled into the soil. Parts were covered by leaves and downed trees. I chose to remove it because it was well within our property lines, and presented a hazard to dogs and wildlife and to my own enjoyment walking in the woods.

Making my local world a better place by removing old wire from the forest is not something that the powers that be would consider a contribution to the economy.

I live in a small town that thrives due to the number of persons who volunteer and do things for each other without payment changing hands. Just like pulling wire from the woods, volunteers make things better for all even though none of their labors would be measured in "the economy."

Let's get this straight. Thrift is a good thing, as is conservation, as is volunteerism, as is caring for each other. Obsession with "the economy" is dumb.

A friend Larry sent me this photo of a gift he made for one of his great grandchildren. He told me that he has seven grandsons and great grandsons ages ages 3 months to 8 years, and being retired at last, he plans to spend time with each of them in the wood shop. What can be more joyful than that? The photo shows a "busy board, one of 4 that Larry made as Christmas gifts for great grandsons.

Make, fix and create. Assist others in learning lifewise.