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My grandfather was 22 years old when the stock market crashed in 1929. I once asked him "What was it like in the Great Depression?" He replied... "We were already so poor around here that we didn't really even know there WAS a depression. Most everyone farmed, and few had any money in the bank, so it didn't affect us like it did other parts of the country." And maybe that is what is happening around here now, for the most part.

My husband stopped at our local Sonic Drive-in to pick up some lunch for us, and he had to wait in line for a parking spot! Granted, this is spring break week, and the kids are out and about - and hungry - but he said "the joint was jumpin'," and it was hard to imagine we were in the throes of a recession! My mother's friend said the same thing after a weekend trip to nearby Branson, Missouri, which she said rivaled any busy summer weekend in traffic and sheer volume of people. Not only were they spending money - they were HAPPY! So in many ways, I would have to say the state of the economy has not hit home - at least not MY home and surrounding area. Or maybe the ramifications are just more subtle.

I have noticed that traffic has increased at local consignment and thrift stores. On one winter day shortly after Christmas, the line to check out snaked around the perimeter of one of our local thrift shops, as people waited with baskets piled high with warm sweaters, jeans, shoes, pots and pans, and "clearanced" Christmas decorations. I also noted that local specialty and gift shops struggled to make ends meet last Christmas - and many started their half-price sales well BEFORE the holidays ended instead of afterward. I've also noticed that the amount of inventory appearing on the racks and shelves at two local consignment shops has increased. Perhaps more people are thinking twice about their belongings - selling off the excess... and actually selling, rather than tossing... still usable items.

It seems that people are pinching their charitable pennies, and contributions to fundraising efforts are down. Finding local support and sponsorship for events such as a 5k walk/run to benefit the American Cancer Society seems to be much harder, compared to other years. And those who do have money to contribute seem to have no shortage of open hands waiting to receive it.

As I hear the news reports of one city after another succumbing to plant closings and massive layoffs, and I hear reports from people who say they "never saw it coming," I am more

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