Fascinating Fabric Find

One of the first things that I knew would be a real challenge in this journey was clothing.  When I was in college we had a homework assignment about world economies.  The task was simple and if you have never done it yourself, its interesting. Go home, look in your closet and write down as many different countries as you can find on the labels in your clothes.  I remember as a young man being amazed that nearly nothing I owned was made in this country.  I think the only thing I had back then that was actually made in the USA was some underwear.

It was with this knowledge that I had to agree when my wife said, you won't be able to buy any clothes for the next twelve months.  To which I replied that she and I may need to learn how to use that sewing machine a bit better so we can "make our own in America."  She smiled and calmly let me know that the fabric at the fabric stores probably wasn't made in this country either.  Really........

We just happened to be at a large fabric store today and I had to test her theory.  As I wandered the isles I was not shocked to find that she was right.  China, China, China, Korea, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, China, China...... and then, right there at the end of the isle, a tiny section  that actually said Made in the USA.........as I walked away, I couldn't help but sing a little Brad Paisley....... Camouflage, Camouflage, designed by Mother Nature and by God......... and, the only fabric I could find in the whole store made in America.

So, when you see that guy proudly wearing his hunting pants in public.... at least he is supporting what appears to be one of the only remaining sources of American fabric.

Welcome

Here we stand, at the dawn of a new year and its that time again, time for the ever popular New Years Resolution.  I was sitting with my wife a few days ago talking about options for this year.  Loose the weight, always a popular favorite, give more, work less, ahhhhh, no, silly me, I have to come up with this great idea to buy as much as possible this year from the good old USA.  Maybe I have listened to too many Trump interviews about how nothing is made in this country anymore and how our government is seemingly oblivious to the fact that maybe the reason unemployment is so high is because so many jobs have been sent over seas.  Or maybe I have listened to Toby Keith sing about "Made in America" a few too many times on my way to and from work.  Or maybe I am just curious about what is actually still made in this country.  For whatever the reason, I have decided to go down this road just to see where it leads.

Now, before anyone calls me a hypocrite, I am sure there are much better supporters of the USA product movement than I.  I own a Toyota, but also a Ford. I am quite certain, like most of the rest of you, there is probably not a stitch of clothing in my closets that were actually made in this country. (Just wait till I get rolling on that soap box.) There is a Samsung TV in my living room, A Dell computer under my fingers, which may or may not have been made in this country, and a house full of decorations, nick knacks, dishes, etc. etc. etc. most of which were made in.....you guessed it..........China.

So, to be clear up front, what I hope to discover and share over the next 12 months is what options I discover through the year.  I may or may not always be able to stick to my resolution, we may find our selves in need of products that simply are not made in this country anymore, and I think more than anything, that is what I want to know.  Just how much of the normal, everyday american experience can be provided by those things that come right here from home.

So, if your interested, check back from time to time and see what I have learned.  You may be surprised, or you may learn something that you didn't already know.  I envision that I am in for a real shock as the next year of my life unfolds.