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Have you ever played dominos? Or perhaps seen the intricate
patterns set up where one domino triggers a complex reaction?
What would happen if just ONE of the dominos was missing?
The attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon two months
ago set off a huge string of dominos. The anthrax scare was
like doing a fast-forward on the feelings of Americans - and
most everyone in the whole world.
Sitting here on the west coast, we had 17 days without one
piece of mail from the east coast. The 'trickle down' effect
of the attacks has impacted us all. From the big business
to the local fly shop . . .everyone has also been hurt
financially.
People have reacted with anger, fear, and most of all frustration.
We've holed up, licked our wounds and hung onto every dime. On
the other hand, we've all wanted to "do something" - contribute
money to the families of the attack, somehow anything to make a
difference.
Years ago someone sent me an invoice with a little phrase
printed in red, "Please pay us so we can pay them." This
is where the dominos come in. Just one missing domino
stops the game and stops progress.
Have you seen the ads on television for new cars with NO
INTEREST? Why do you think the car manufacturers would do
that? Because no one is spending any money. One of our
local big chain supermarkets just had a beef and seafood
sale. The prices were so low people were stacked six deep
at the counters. The manager told my husband it was the
second largest day the store ever had. They did it
because - right. And yes, we stocked up too.
I'm asking you to do something. Something specific.
Stand up! Put your shoulders back, unbutton your shoulders
from your ears and get your chin up. Gather your family
and get out of the house. Shut the TV off, turn the computer
off, and go for a ride. Treat the family to a Hot Fudge Sunday,
a hamburger, a movie, dinner, anything! Stop huddling in
front of the war. If you find the war news on TV is interfering
with your emotional welfare and family life, TURN IT OFF.
If you have bills you haven't paid because you've been hanging
onto every dime 'just in case,' get the checkbook out and
pay the bills.
We must stop living in fear. Did you have a trip planned
before the attack? Then go! One of our Chat Room Hosts,
Dave Ulmer (Host slicfoot) is in Costa Rica fishing right
now. Others who were supposed to go on the same trip
chickened out. Another of our readers David (Scud) Yates
went to Alaska salmon fishing a couple of days after
the attack. (If you didn't read his story it's:
Fishing Vs Catching.)
My husband JC and I have a trip planned to the Bahamas in
early spring for bonefish. We are going! Now let's see,
what do we need for flies? And while I'm thinking about it,
we will need a new pump for the little pond in the spring.
Maybe if I buy it now the store will still be there in the
spring. Why put it off? Can one person make a difference?
Absolutely!
What do you need? Supplies for fly tying? Go buy them - or
order them from one of our Sponsors. Been dreaming about a
new fly rod? So what's your excuse? Your fly line need
replacing? Do it. Want a new reel? Get it.
You may not have noticed through this whole mess, Fly Anglers
OnLine has been here. The same place, the best in information,
every week. Without fail. Are we going to cut back because
of fear of the unknown? Not on your life. (Or mine.) What
are we doing? We are upgrading our servers. We are starting
some new sections - the first will be Tying Salmon and Spey
Flies. Ronn Lucas, Sr. has stepped forward to produce that
new series for our fly tiers. Just a bit later, a new series
on Fishing Lakes will start, and towards spring a
Float Tubing series.
We are going forward. I encourage you to stop being reactionary.
Get out and do things you enjoy. Make your plans, let those
around you know YOU are not living in fear. We do need to be
aware and alert, but we don't want - or need to live in terror.
In case you forgot, THIS IS AMERICA!
~ LadyFisher
If you would like to comment on this or any other article please feel free to
post your views on the FAOL Bulletin Board!
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