Although nobody will thank me for saying this but it may be permanent. For a country's economy to get out of recession it has to create real wealth. By wealth I mean wealth to the country as a whole, not individual wealth. Artificial wealth can be created internally by just printing bank notes. It's artificial as all that can do ultimately is to cause inflation thus reducing the value of every bank note.

 

Wealth can be created by borrowing money and spending it to create income. However, the money borrowed comes at a cost and eventually has to be repaid. Although it may generate income and thus may it look as if wealth is being created, it can be illusory wealth. That's what's been happening in this country. Wealth has be apparently created over the years but to a large extent by borrowing. Sooner or later if the wealth has been illusory, the bubble bursts and you get bank runs, money deflation, and economies falling.

 

Similarly with increases in property values. That can give the appearance of increased wealth, but it's largely illusory and eventually the bubble bursts, and those economies which have boomed through property values increasing find themselves in a mess.

 

True wealth is created by generating real growth with goods and services exported to other countries, or by creating greater productivity through improved infrastructure to make businesses more efficient. But you can only export to countries who are looking to import the goods and services. Over the years we have become accustomed to seeing growth mainly in Europe, America and Japan. America as a result is the wealthiest country in the world. But there is a shift in wealth and countries in Asia such as China and India are slowly growing in wealth. It's not that long before China becomes the dominant economic centre of the world. 

 

Unless this country can generate wealth by increasing exports to countries such as China and India, this country will remain in recession and slowly stagnate.

 

None of what I've said is political, it's just cold hard economic truth.

Summer, you really really need to read Bubbles' opening post on the Postman Bubbles thread. All will become apparent when you do

Until a government decides to do something constructive instead of pontificating and feathering their own nest 

And getting rid of this 'holier than thou' attitude 

I'm glad I know what we're heading for El I'd rather be realistic than in denial, thank goodness my only debt is our mortgage!

A good clear summation EL, which is why, if possible, we have to stimulate growth, if it's not far too late for that.  Summer you are very wise, we should all be very wary of debt at the moment, in my opinion.

 

Still enough of the gloom and doom what sort of day have you all had on this first day of Spring?

Squiggle, I like your Peanuts cartoon

 

It's been an OK day seeing that client this morning. He's going to be fine

Afternoon all. I've been grocery shopping this afternoon. Morrisons was quite quiet, so I zipped round the store pretty quickly. I bought some Easter eggs for my sons and their OHs - big kids!

Good news EL   I must admit it doesn't feel like Spring here at the moment, but I am an optimist so I know it will soon brighten up.

It dertainly isn't spring here! It was sleeting slightly as I waited for the bus and the wind was really icy.

It's bright but freezing cold, where I am.

Meteorologists are saying that this coming weekend will be the coldest March weekend in 50 years. I've just left a message on the curate's phone about this as the Palm Sunday procession would normally start outside the village hall with a reading of the Palm Sunday gospel with the procession to the church and people's health could well be affected by the cold standing around for 5 minutes then walking slowly to the church, and of course the clergy and choir will be in their normal robes and won't be wearing coats.

If they don't wear thermals under their robes, they will be freezing! Brrrrrr!!

 

I have spent ages trying to update my Adobe plugins today, with no success. I click on the "update" and it tells me the downloads are complete, but nothing happens and it doesn't go on to the next stage (as detailed on the FF pages). When I check the plugins on my FF page, it still says I need to update Adobe. I've disabled them for the moment, before I go completely round the twist.

Now I'm even more confused. Previously, I couldn't see the clips in Erin's thread, because it said I need to update the plugins. Now that I have disabled the plugins, I can watch the clips.

Dont question it, just enjoy the clips 

Will do.

I'll get one of my sons to sort it out, next time they are visiting.

You do right to be so concerned EL, there are an awful lot of chest infections around this area, if given enough warning people can dress warmly underneath their robes or they could shorten the walk, which would be a shame.

Evening Squiggle, how has your day been?

Evening Yogi, it's been a good day, even though it was so cold and rainy.  It was the afternoon of our house group meeting, and it always seems to rain for some reason but lovely to see the few that gathered, we have so many unwell at the moment.  How has your day been?

Good thinking 

There are so many people who are unwell atm, and I'm sure the miserable weather isn't helping.

My day has been fine, thanks - mainly housework and shopping.

Got to sign out early tonight, see you tomorrow.

Leaving hugs for the night owls.

Another vote for thermal underwear El Loro. It really does work. For some unknown reason m'wife laughs at me when she sees me in mine, but it's worth the ridicule.

Nite nite Yogi. Sleep well  

evening all, and goodnight to all who have already turned in I had to giggle at moonie's comment "don't question it, just enjoy the clips" Yogi, maybe it'll work better tomorrow after a shut down and a reboot. I had an adobe update notice the other day but didn't have time nor patience at the time so I'll need to sort that out at some point too El, I hope they consider alternative arrangements if the weather is very bad, there are several warnings in place. What's the story behind Palm Sunday? Squiggle, my first day of spring has been cold but pleasant thank you, it's my mum's birthday and she's had a wonderful time. My future stepdad (hehe) has sung her happy birthday every hour! I hope you have enjoyed it too Special hug for skylark who I notice hasn't been around tonight, I hope she's ok Moonie, if you're still up, I'll see you in the manor

Okies Sweet  

Good morning everyone. Light snow showers with swirling wind this morning.

 

Belated Happy Birthday to your mum, Summer. Your "future stepdad" comment made me .

 

I have decided to clear out the top boxes above my bed. There is far too much stuff in them, and I don't fancy the whole lot crashing down on me some night.

Good morning everyone

 

At present it's not raining but has been and will start again. The forecast is bad but not as bad as much of the rest of the country.

 

Yogi, I hope your adobe funnies have solved themselves.

 

Summer, Palm Sunday is the commemoration of Jesus's entry into Jerusalem on a donkey where he was welcomed by the crowds as their hero come to save them all. They were thinking that he had come to save them from the Romans who were in charge. But he hadn't - he had come to to save us all by dying as penance for our sins. And a few days later, he was betrayed, captured, the crowds had turned on him and were baying for his death, and he was crucified. Then 3 days later he reappeared to Mary and the disciples having risen from the dead.

Good morning El. The Adobe problem hasn't been resolved yet but I have found out that other people have had similar problems. I'll leave it to son to sort out.

Good morning everyone, another rainy day I do hope it's better where you all are, I don't like the look of the weather forecast for the next few days though, not down here specifically but through the middle of the country and up north, keep warm and stay safe peeps.

 

A good summation again EL, Summer just imagine Jesus being greeted by an ecstatic crowd but knowing in His own Heart what really awaited Him, what courage He showed.

 

Hope that you manage to get the Adobe thing sorted out Yogi, these little add-ons that we all rely on can be so irritating when they just refuse to work Hope you have a good day Skylark

morning, very cold here but no real snow as yet, plenty forecast for later Thanks El, that sums it up nicely. I know this is a daft question, but where did Jesus travel from? And why did they decide to kill him? I bought some hot cross buns

Jesus was in Bethany not far from Jerusalem.  He was staying (probably) with his friends Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead.  He was killed by the Jewish leaders (the Pharisees) because He was interfering with their very privileged way of life and telling the people that God wanted them to know that the Pharisees were leading the people astray and away from God.  He came to pay the price of sin for everyone.  God is holy and any sin (even telling a little white lie) is abhorrent to Him.  We are sinful, so when Jesus died in our place He took all our sins upon Himself and God is now able to see us as being free from sin and we can go and be with Him for ever in heaven.  Jesus made himself to be a bridge between God and man.

 

Enjoy your Hot Cross Buns

Thanks squiggle, I get it He must have been scared!

Would you like to see something fun...? I made these!

Summer, I edited your comment above as it was out of place in the comment you made. I know it was innocently meant by you

If you want to know why have a look at:

http://answers.yahoo.com/quest...0060905054950AAUW4Ui

Summer. your gingerbread look good enough to eat  or are they the clay ones you mentioned last week?

I didn't realise it had that meaning, El.

I ought to mention, if you ever see me using FGS, in my head it stands for "For Goodness Sake".

The gingerbread men are fantastic, Summer.

I went out today to get my shopping as it's been a dry morning and for the rest of the day and tomorrow morning isn't. I bought the cake to have at Easter with my brother. It's a M&S chocolate nest cake and looks like this though somewhat larger than this picture:

Great cake, El. Mr Yogi would love those mini eggs in the middle of the cake.