Unfortunately, we really cannot rely on BLS data, Commerce data or general information from the mainstream media to get a pulse on what’s really going on with products and prices on Main Street USA. Factually, your ground reports have consistently been the accurate reflection of what’s happening in the various states and regions around the country.
With that in mind, what’s the latest situation in your area with COVID rules, prices on stuff you buy every day, and the availability of products and/or services in your community?
Specifically, people would be interested to know what the climate is toward the COVID rules, regulations, masks etc. in your city, town, hamlet or local community? How are things overall?
What’s the impact of inflation and supply chain disruptions like around you? Gas prices, grocery prices, home heating or energy prices etc.? Also, if you are having any difficulties finding products that you normally purchase? What are your family, friends and neighbors saying about it.
In short, how are things around you this holiday season? Use the comment section to provide an update on your general area. Your ground reports are always insightful and provide a good & accurate sense of how things are going on Main Street.
#FJB
South Al here. All meats are way up! Gas is staying between $2.80 and $3.10. Had Christmas lunch with my 2 sister-in-laws today and so far the prices have not increased. But, today was the last of “Free Pie Wednesday.”
Had to go to Wallyhell to see about getting my eyeglass prescription filled as my eye doctors office told me they were having supply chain issues. I will be able to pick them up in a week. Noticed prices on staples were up 10-15 %. Also noticed that they had about 50 % of regular check out lanes as opposed to 20% the last time I had to be there . I had complained loudly that I didn’t work for said big box store and unless they wanted to give me a discount for self-checking then Corporate needed to keep regular checking lines open.
Not very many people wearing masks anywhere. I have only worn one in the doctors office.
I’m in the process of getting a new roof installed, and was talking to the project manager about the shots, mandates, and #FJB! He and his wife got the Pfizer shot as she is employed in healthcare and he has asthma. He had a bad reaction to the 2nd shot affecting his heart. Went into AFIB and had to see a heart doctor about that. Those symptoms have faded now. He thought because they shots fade that he might have to get a booster and I suggested that he not do that and that after all the research I have done I fully believe the mRNA shots destroy your body’s immunity and the boosters will only make it worse.
most of my family locally have not gotten the shot and will not. The propaganda adds for the “vaccine” on Tv and radio are outrageous and repetitive.
Wishing CTH crew and all Treepers a Merry and Blessed Christmas anda better New Year!
I might as well speak about Northern Alabama. For the most part, it feels like 2019 as far as covid related nonsense. The die- hards wear masks but nobody else does. There are no restrictions to entering even large venues.
Gas prices range from 2.91 to about 3.20 for regular unleaded. The people here are the most wonderful and friendly people I’ve ever been around and I’ve lived in a lot of places. I do most of my grocery shopping at Aldi where prices are always lower. Most of the time it is fully stocked on the items I buy, and their produce seems the same as 2019. They recently had the sweetest, best pineapples ever! Liquor store was out of Russian Standard vodka last week. Merry Christmas Treepers!
I had a specific gift and not enough time for Amazon so I found a store that carried it and went there after work. The item was gone, as were any others like it. Entire sections of shelves were empty and they’ve found creative ways to use up space in the store so it doesn’t look so empty.
Not bad in Northwest Az, a 2A sanctuary county, in a State that has open or concealed carry, no permit needed, but somehow has 2 Democrat Senators,..
We are seeing SOME empty grocery store shelves, but not too bad.
I regularly buy a bag of cooked, frozen shrimp.
Bag size has stayed the same, but they ARE Downsizing, by putting one size smaller shrimp in the bag.
Saw whole young chickens for 5.99, pork roasts still available, but starting to climb.
While many stores have signs asking people to mask, they are no longer free standing signs, instead just stuck to the door, and like the occasional one saying no guns allowed, no one pays any attention.
Hospitals and clinics are the only places where they actually have someone stopping everyone entering,, asking about symptoms and requiring a mask, and I talked to one of the people doing this job, and she knows it is silly.
She quoted to me the line about mosquitos and chain link, I told her “No, thats inaccurate. To be accurate, the openings in the fence would have to be 17″ by 17″, not 2″x2”.
She laughed. Her boss tells her to do it, so she does but she’s no Karen.
So, its “mostly peaceful” here, ..supply chain was an issue here, long before Covid, so people are used to it.
Start of winter, all the stores, Ace, Home Dept etc have no heaters, and start of summer no AC’S.
We’re used to it, its small town living.
Bucks County PA btwn philly and nyc in rural communities. Gas from $2.39 now to 3.59. Food up 25%.
lots of Trump signs, one fjb spelled out was forced down by a person who felt “threatened.” But somefjb, Brandon and lots of Don’t Tread on Me flags.
went Christmas shopping at local, popular, destination outdoor mall today. Some masks; about 30%? Maybe 25. But they are militants. (Apologies for recent rant when I ad nauseum’ed about three people (nurse, store owner and a teenager) telling either didn’t like my flag gaiter or put on a mask.
Broke my heart to see small children walking sedately along side parents without happiness and twinkles of anticipation. The moms walk like the have the Stick of SelfRighteousness stuck up their bottoms. Dad’s usually mask less. Saw a few couples like that….? How are they doing at home?
Stores were big spaces with shelves widely spaced to not look empty or keep people spaced. ? I was happy to see enough goods not from China that I could buy presents. Kohls has plenty of goods not from China too. Great selection in two foodie shops with local brands including homegrown flavored honeys.
Food; produce ok, condiments hit or miss. Chicken and meats, seafood skyhigh. Oil high. Fjb stickers on pumps at wawas.
I heard a sales guy in upscale clothing store with some reasonable goods mixed in say the people this year are grim. He said last year they ‘were different’ but this year…unhappiness prevailing.
The many people here avoid mask required stores,read door sign and don’t go in. I have managed to do Christmas with out China! American businesses are there if you look. From suspenders to cat grass kits to tees and pineapple habanero sauce all made in America or other allied coutries. Even bought a wool fedora made from Australia.
My son said that on a sub Reddit for our area, everyone is really angry and divided. The maskers are very mean which is new; pinched faced and snarling.
Daughter withdrew from local college bc her profs were given unvaxxed lists and one told them ‘should die.’ This after she nursed severely ill effyou flu stricken parents for several weeks; death had been feared by her, by us. She was treated badly as were all unvaxxed and wo common sense: some were doing school remotely but had to go to campus for nose tests. Only time on campus was for covid tests!
One kid is going skiing in Vermont with friends and won’t be allowed in hotel restaurant bc not vaxxed. In-laws from NYC NJ suburbs (can see skyline from their street) coming here with bil from AZ to feast on $190/prime rib that we are going in on together. We get most meat and poultry from local butcher, no shortage bc from Lancaster county. Had to order turkeys for sil here bc none in nj.
I see a new fierceness against conservatives, watchfulness and distrust aimed at us and nobody at all returns smiles with spontaneity which is unlike us. NJ/PA are usually friendly and strangers have conversations; I truly feel quite sad about losing this, it is like Midwest now with everyone minding their own business.
American businesses are booming if they can get supplies. Stuff for clear plastic is hard to get but recycled material available for color plastic.
Merry Christmas and may our new year be better.
Greater Houston area. Gas prices seem to have stabilized in my area at around $2.90-$3/gal. Still sucks but it’s better than most. Lots of “I did that!” stickers starting to show up at gas stations. A few things appear to be missing on the grocery store shelves but our local HEBs do a good just keeping stuff stocked. What doesn’t seem to be moving are the normal holidays gadget gifts; you know, things like air friers and other non-essentials. And a lot of holiday stuff wasn’t well stocked to begin with, and isn’t coming back in stock.
In our neighborhood, housing prices are at least $100-200k over what they were last year. Really crazy jump on that.
As far as masking goes, nobody can legally require it anymore, which is lovely. I think there are some people who will literally never take them off in public again, but most people seem to be going without.
On a happy note, my Guard unit has decided to ignore the federal mask mandate (not sure if that’s direct from State or not) and nobody cares. It’s beautiful. However, everyone who can be spared has been sent to the border, where they spend their days arresting African and Chinese nationals who are walking into our country. I’d love to know what NGO is buying those plane tickets. We were told that Texas was going to protect us from the vaxx mandate. Yeah, that didn’t happen. Can’t even get one of our congressmen to tweet about it.
The Air Force magnanimously decided to set an arbitrary and previously uncommunicated deadline for requesting separation in lieu of the vaxx. Fat lot of good that does. The deadline’s already passed and there was no warning, so if you weren’t anticipating it by submitting your paperwork early, you’re in trouble.
I’d be more upset about it, but just last week they sent out a quality of life survey that had about 50 questions about “have you been sexually assaulted this year,” FOUR questions about how COVID has affected you, and at least that many questions on gender identity and if your unit misgenders you. If, like many of my colleagues, you thought you’d get the jab and they’d leave you alone, I think 2022 is going to be a rude wake-up. Especially now that the little “combating extremism” working group has decided that likes on social media pages count as discipline-worthy support for anything they don’t like. I think that is going to quickly spiral out of control.
Being from a military family I am so sorry for the Military when I read that “likes = discipline”… I’m hoping everyone removes themselves from all these communist-run sites completely. I see this as a China take over by canning everyone that is a Patriot in the military and weakening us with the rainbows and unicorns.
From Central Valley, CA – I paid $5.10 a gallon for the first time in my life a couple of days ago. I spent $80 for 3/4 of a tank of gas.
It’s now less expensive to eat out than to cook. The price of food at the grocery store is 25-50% more than it was this time last year. A bag of chips is $5, for instance. Three months ago it was $2.50. And the plant is nearby so I have no idea why it has risen that much. That’s just one instance. Everything is at least 25% higher.
The only thing I haven’t been able to buy is whipped cream in a can. For weeks, there hasn’t been any. I prefer fresh but I like to have a can on hand.
The cost of shipping has had a huge effect on other goods, as the mandates have driven the truckers out of the state. Trucks from out of state aren’t picking up loads because we now only allow 2011 trucks or newer. There are other restrictions here that are contributing as well. We’re no longer a business-friendly state.
We have an indoor mask mandate but it’s not being enforced like it was a year ago. Most people are complying but I’ve seen many without. New COVID cases are up but hospitalizations are still manageable. Low death rate.
real estate market in safe (most) w mich shoreline markets has doubled since trumptime.
worse the further south you go toward chicago.
our biggest, most basic physical need has risen in value 100%.
our biggest, most basic physical need has risen in cost 100%
its being driven by demand.
rentals are being snapped up since summer.
property taxes will rise in lockstep. rents will rise.
the squad get to play champion to the young for getting their student loans extended,
all the while they get priced beyond their means in real estate in bidentime.
damdest thing I have ever seen.
Northeast United States , rural area. Grocery bill up 15% in the past 3 to 4 months.
SE PA here. Gas bouncing around $3.45. Grocery shelves mostly full but strange items cant be found, Eggnog and cream cheese for example. I did most christmas shopping early based on advice from Sundance so had no problems there. Just got word from Chewy that my monthly order of dogfood is not available. First time that has happened.
I have been storing cans of green beans, sliced potatoes and bags of brown rice. I’ve also been storing cans of wet food for my dogs. I can mix everything up for them if it gets bad.
No one seems to be addressing the pet crisis. People are dumping dogs onto the streets because they can’t afford them.
Here in coastal NC gas is around $2.80, but has been in the $3.20 range. We’ll see what happens, but it seems to fluctuate often, sometimes jumping 20 cents over night. We’ve been able to find most things, but prices are really jumping on food. A can of Progresso Soup has gone sky high. I used to be able to get 4 cans for $5, but now one can is nearly $3.
Clothes shopping has been hard — for a while, stores weren’t allowing you to try things on, which is a laughable thing since clothes are made in various countries and each size 10 fits differently. Now they’ve opened the dressing rooms. I was in Wilmington, NC, the other day (which is a larger city in our area and a lefty area) and no mask mandate, just signs on the door that suggest you wear one. Some do, some don’t. Everyone not wearing a mask is smiling and happy to see faces.
As I left a Costco I showed my sales slip to a young black woman wearing a mask with the most beautiful eyes. Maskless me smiled and said thank you and have a wonderful day. Looking in her eyes, I could tell she was smiling and she said, “Merry Christmas!” I said, “Thank you!! Merry Christmas to you as well.” I wanted to hug her — I felt Jesus in that moment. Those are the little things I am grateful for. Those are the things that show me that America is still America in spite of the crazies trying to tear us apart.
God bless you, Sundance, and all of my lovely Treepers. Merry Christmas, all, and keep praying and spreading the Christmas cheer. It’s contagious!
“I felt Jesus in that moment.”
Love your post. Let us look for Jesus in every moment..
I told a masked checker yesterday that she had the ability to smile with her eyes and that was a rare and important skill. Here in KY, masks are generally only worn by store employees and a few holdouts.
We are just outside of Atlanta, and weirdly have been unable to find one simple can of spray Kilz-type primer at Wally, or Lowe’s, or even Home Depot for over 3 months.
And my husband reports that ever since the summer, all of the metro area Sherwin Williams stores are keeping very,very,very low inventories of all but the highest priced grades of paints, and they’re telling their customers that there is a shortage of “raw materials” needed to make paint ?!?!
The last time I was in the local Sherwin Williams a couple of months ago, they were having inventory problems. The primer shelves were almost empty. A man came in to have some paint mixed in order to finish a project. The store did not have the base. The clerk checked and the base was unavailable within the 100 mile radius.
The raw materials for paint go into many other products. The supply chain is so messed up producers can’t meet all of their customers demands and prices have skyrocketed.
Last summer a. FL Sherwin Williams was out of their product (forget its name) which is comparable to Rustoleum.
Small town CT. Groceries shelves at my local Stop and
Shop are showing bare spots more now than before but
especially in the juice box /bottled juice isle, water isle,
and Pet food isle, canned cat food is sparce as is
cat litter, same with canned dog food. Then I notice they
just moved items to the front of the shelves to make them
look full. Yet my local small town IGA is pretty well stocked..
Talking to the guy at the local ACE hardware he said he
is having tough time getting certain things in. so there
are still problems
That state had to do bridge repair on our main road.
The road was suppose to be closed for like 3 weeks to
one month that was Septit just opened up the other day..
They were delayed waiting for parts.
(don;t know why they didn;t wait till they had everything before
they mstarted.. THis was a major inconvieince to some of the
small businesses.
Schools are open.. masking is coming back..lots more people
wearing them now in stores and inside places.
Our Gov has started a Vax passport system but right now
it is only voluntary..for the business to participate ..( I do
think it partly because he wants a universal pass system
since major cities like Boston and
NYC have institutued it and since lot so of resident travel
back and forth to both they have the passport already..)
Our COVID rates have gone up to around 9 percent but
our Gov talks the important matrix is hospitalizations
and deaths.
But masks are coming back. But some business in the cities
have instituted thier own passport places like The Bushnell
(live shows Theater) have but it is not mandatory YET..
Gas is high around $3.50 or higher. Sons went to the movies
Saturday said it was pretty full..so people are out and about doing
things. and they said it was some people wearing masks some not.
Church is having all three Christmas Eve Services in person..
But we hadto put in a reservation so they can limit the number
as our sancutuary is small and the overflow will be in the church
hall if needed.. Our Church still
does both in person and Zoom services. We were doing. to go
communion but they started back to regular communion with
cubed bread and the little cups of grape juice.. Before that we
were getting the (coffee creamer sized)
juice with a horrible dry looking like styrofoam wafer on top..
it was interesting but back to regular communion now.
They don;t pass the offering plate
anymore it is on a table and you just put it there. Also they copy
the hymns and put it in the bulletin rather than actually using
the hymnals..
We are one of the state with a high vax rate. But now they run
the happy feel good commericals about getting you vax and
booster just saw one yesterday..guy shows up at mom house
looking sheepish she opens door not overly happy to see him
he give her gift she opens it smiles…and they hug…it is his VAX
CARD..then they go inside.
(eye roll worthy commercial)
In CT too. A small “affluent” town west of Hartford, surrounded by the same.
Masks everywhere. People just seem to follow the current narrative willy nilly. I’ve noticed mask-wearing in cars has gone up. That makes me laugh and cry at the same time.
Prices are going up. And the shelves have been bare for a while but seem to be getting barer. Not saying items are not available just saying there is not a lot…and some items are nowhere to be seen. Wife does the shopping typically so my observations are from a distance.
I can’t comment on the Governor. I don’t listen to the man nor do I care what he says. He’s a follower and if I hear that NY or MA has done something, I know it will be in CT shortly.
A personal anecdote:
My wife and I always host a Holiday party. We have every year since we moved to CT. Last year, it was very small, more of a get-together. This year, we invited 20-25 people. We had 18 from that list plus some guests our guests brought. No masks.
The interesting part involved some of my wife’s very progressive friends and their husbands. Typically, they are very liberal and like to try and get me going. They did not do that this time. Rather, they were asking questions and very interested in what I had to say. No pushing back. No joking. Rather, very serious engagement, and for the most part (one husband I think was having an internal meltdown from seeing so much change in some of his friends) they agreed and were interested in how to push back.
That’s never happened, ever. I don’t know what it means but I do know if these folks were changing their tune, something is happening. Those from or who live in CT (or MA, VT, RI, NY, ME) understand what I mean. Those who are more aligned with my way of thinking are coming out of the woodwork…I just wish they would be more vocal, we need more cowbell.
What I see out and what I hear when in a private company (by similar people) are very contrasted. It’s as if people are afraid to speak up or push back.
I notice it on Facebook for a deep blue state the comments to
stories on the news are not exactly what one would expect from
deep blue CT. I agree the Gov is a follower he seemed to do whatever
Cuomo did till Cuomo had problems then suddenly not a word
about him.. My little highly conservative small town sits right
between 2 cities so we are surrounded but our little town is a sleepy
bedroom town with no direct access to the highway so it keeps us quiet
we are the drive thru town but some the of trouble from Waterbury
comes our way via the main road..
We are not to far from each other.
I want to put a Lets Go Brandon sign out but my wife is worried about vandalism. Conservative minded signs tend to always become broken.
Interestingly, I think I’ve only heard of two liberal signs being damaged.
Saw an interview with the Coke CEO who said that they are holding off on substantial price increases until the new year. That seem to be about right except for beef which has soared in price. Gas here in southern Texas is about $2.49, a low for some months.
My lefty daughter came home for the holidays on Monday, but left in the night without telling us anything. Come to find out, she’s uncomfortable around me because I am unvaxxed! Wow! I’m writing her out of the will.
Remember that meeting Jobama had with his friends in the industries? Well, this is what Joe asked- C’mon man, can you guys hold off on increasing prices until after the holidays?
Bought off corporate leads all clapped and jumped and said yes.
Those increases are going to flatten people.
That’s so sad!
I’ll be praying for her.
They have been brainwashed.
Seeing all of the comments about fuel (gas) prices, I thought I’d let you know our predicament here in Aus…
1 Gallon = 4.55 Litres. (All Aus. $’s) We are currently paying $1.89 per litre which is around $8.60 a gallon.
To put that into context, to go to either of the major cities at the end of our road, is 950 mile one way, and 929 mile the other…
Never used to bother me, but I won’t give that sniffling Irish buffoon the satisfaction of getting on a Qantas plane (our only carrier) and now the road trip is the only option.
Living in the middle of a desert all year round, does get a bit trying, but the beauty of the place is well worth it 🙂
I live in Panama. Gas is .89 per liter. Stores are fully stocked and local produce and meat mostly unchanged in price. But good Angus imported meats are up well over 50% from September.
The local government requires masks, but outside maybe 50 % are unmasked. Restaurants that wish to have 100% occupancy require proof of vaccination. At 78, I am still unvaxed and will stay that way unless it becomes illegal.
Panamians are in a holiday spirit, traffic in Panama City is awlful and stores seem to be doing well.
My Husband is shopping for a new truck. He was finishing up paperwork to buy one at a Dodge dealership in Tallahassee, a couple of hours from where we live, but that is where the one he wanted was located. The dealership added an extra 7k for “Market Value Adjustment”. When he called them out on this, they said it was because of inflation. After calling around to other dealerships, this insane markup is becoming more common. I could understand maybe an extra 1k but 7k?
Yep! Hubby and I went looking for secondhand vehicles a couple months ago. Wanted something 1980’s to work on. Volkswagen GTI and they wanted $28,000 for it. Going to be a lot of vehicles left on forecourts!
I am going to fill my gas tank as soon as the sun comes up this morning. There has been an explosion at the Baytown ExxonMobil refinery.
https://nypost.com/2021/12/23/explosion-at-exxon-refinery-in-baytown-texas-leaves-several-injured/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news_alert&utm_content=20211223&lctg=607d8f6f70302947037f99a8&utm_term=NYP%20-%20News%20Alerts
I live 5ish miles from Exxon here in baytown tx. This explosion is a fairly common event and seeks to be a minor thing. The plant had recently expanded their gasoline production capability. I’m not concerned that much. However ur quoting a story from the nypost. So I don’t know how much of that story is fear porn. So -be cautious but don’t be afraid.
Thanks for the heads up!
Lancaster County, PA, prices on everything are up but people are rapidly switching over to homegrown local as fast as possible……I’ve never seen so many ads selling beef, meat, produce, you name it, in the local amish population…..the area is adapting at a rather stunning pace.
Very few masks in the rural area, and I stay out of the city area.
Lancaster County, Pa here too. I don’t post online usually and I don’t have social media accounts. But I read alternative media sites and certain social media posts everyday, including this site multiple times a day. Just wanted to reply to mdutchie to say ‘hello’ and let you know others from Lancaster are here regularly with the same value system. Merry Christmas Treepers!
Filled up my car yesterday at $3.49 for premium. My cottage cheese was over $4.00 and there was no iceberg lettuce in the produce section of the grocery store. A half gallon of whole milk is $1.99, 96% lean hamburger is $8 a lb and $3.79 for a loaf of whole wheat bread. Toilet paper and paper towels are hit and miss for my favorite brands and I have given up on getting baked Tostitos again in my lifetime and my favorite Boar’s Head bacon is $8.00 a pound.
I am retired and thought I would never have to worry about finances but I am getting nervous. I increased my draw from my retirement account by several hundred a month because for the first time in 20 years, I am having to watch my bank balance closely. It is scary.
Mask wearing required in medical offices, about 40-50% of grocery shoppers wearing masks and the pharmacy is a nightmare with people coming in for flu shots and Covid boosters. Mask wearing may not help, I don’t know, but I mask up everywhere I go and am still avoiding public places since I have a medically fragile household member.
South Central Kansas County Covid numbers slowly trending up since the first part of November and hospital capacity is listed as critical. Could not get my mother transferred to Wichita after a broken hip because of hospital capacity and she had to be tansferred to Salina for surgery.
Most importantly, though, is most people have resumed a fairly normal life. My lunch group still meets and I am the only one that wears a mask in and out.
Looking forward to the end of the pandemic Feb. 1.
East Texas here gas runs 2.88. Beefs sky high and chicken and porks slowly going up. Shelves are full except the pasta noodle section. Very few masks are worn. Except the grocery store they have to. A lot of fjb and let’s go Brandon on the back windows of young guys trucks. All business need help. Covids never mentioned.
Wish all at CTH a Merry Christmas.
Upper Glakes town of 9K (counting llamas): No masks/no vax papieren.
Meat up approx 10%. Anything dairy still same & with the usual sales also (June Dairy Days kind of thing), e.g., real butter $1.99/pound.
Reg gas fluctuates mostly 2.84/gal, sometimes 3.04 during pre-holiday gouge.
Utilities same.
Local stockage of Walmart pretty good considering; improvement over past 6 months as they actually hire kids to stock things that are there but sitting in boxes/on pallets in the back.
Other retail sources, the variety of everything desired for kids & grandkids was found with little issue and is wrapped & under the tree.
Being at the confluence of 2 major interstates it’s noted that overall OTR truck traffic is down; no stats, just years of observation.
Neighbors are generally happy as well because they’re, for the most part well, good neighbors.
Like most, I miss eye-blink dismissal of the occasional uncivil tweet and $1.72 gas.
FJB stickers are seen regularly, as well as ‘Let’s Go, Brandon’ scrawled on the dirty semi-trailer doors where people used to write “wash me.”
This is working class territory pretty much and we do alright.
Long time lurker… report from SW Washington (Clark County):
A couple of other items of note:
An hour and a half outside of Boston where Charlie Faker is on favorable list of the CCP, aka bought and paid for.
In the Spfld. area where the flag of the party that forces organs to be removed from average citizens, forces babies to be killed,forces
imprisonment for any citizen who doesn’t agree with them, where you are not free to worship God, or think or be or do for yourself (1984), yes that CCP flag flies freely outside a CCP train manufacturing business on American soil at Page Bvld in Spfld., Ma.
So theres that and you see what’s going on in Boston and I haven’t heard of any big protests yet.
I’m in one of the few areas that voted for Trump but basically surrounded by sheep. People alone in cars with masks on. Many people with masks in the stores. Each town sets the mask mandates but they are psychotic about it. One month masks are required the next they are not. We go to Planet Fitness but we have to change up our locations depending on the mask mandates. Its insane.
Food and gas are up…canned cat food completely wiped out every week at Stop and Shop…this week sauce and pasta were wiped out.
Was looking to buy a used Toyota last May when the prices started going up…decided to wait and see….still waiting as I watch the prices go up up up and inventory go down.
One guy at church died 2 days after vaccine another vaccinated member in the hospital for 2 months.
Sister in law in Vermont lost 2 friends after death shot and another friend of hers lost her eyesight!
Mother in law in Maine,local nursing home, 1 nurse dead after vax another 3 months in hospital after vax.
Brought my mother to Drs last week. Her Dr said shes seeing mostly people with death shot injuries right now.
Not sure what to do here in Ma. I think about the Jews who got of Germany early and didn’t wait. 2022 Govenors race…could a sane republican win? Idk.
Why are Fauxci and cohorts not in prison for mass murder? Why!!
I am in northern GA. Prices are up for everything, buying meat is painful. I make soup out of turkey backs, which are about the cheapest thing in the meat case. Christmas Eve I have a traditional Scandanavian dinner that includes spare ribs. It was so upsetting to see that they were close to $7 a pound. I figure that is triple what it was in the past. Overall people seem to be coping. I try to focus on my new home, and not all the bs going on in the blue cities. Merry Christmas one and all.
Oh, The one positive thing I have noticed is that Christmas Music has returned, even grown. I remember a few years back, when Christmas was discouraged, and there didn’t seem to be much music around… That was before 45 said how it was ok to wish people Merry Christmas….
I too am in northern GA, in fact I think I am in the town next to you (YH). Husband and I noticed yesterday that people were more friendly than ever. Total strangers wished us Merry Christmas. Gas prices for car and heating way up, hamburger through the roof, and new cars and trucks not available to test drive. But, mask use down and sense of community up.
Hamlet is good – he is settling down as he gets older. He hasn’t tried to destroy the neighbours’ cat for some time now.
from Central AZ:
Start Recording-
You might want to start following the shelves of local grocers, It’s a good indicator of supply shortages and lack of staff. And start to watch the “unit” price from the posted shelf price tags, that’s where the inflation will show itself. And start to watch packaging weight, producers are really cutting down but keeping the price the same, both in effect a good indicator STEALTH INFLATION.
We shop at three different places, and they all have their problems, so far, the goods are there, if spotty. Staff are overworked, judging by appearance and attitude.
There is a burgeoning shortage of staff in the health care industry, and widespread “under the table” dissatisfaction against management and the PHARMA /Health for the stupid handling of the virus. Some staff are looking to get out, while others already have. Get prepared for the collapse of local healthcare, small hospitals are closing down in the heavily rural areas and it will spread.
Double-check the MSM and local reporting-always.
Good Indicator: Gasoline
Brand name gas-$3.50/gal Reg 87 octane
other gas $3.25-.35/gal reg 87 octane
Fry’s has huge discount if you purchase heavily at their stores
There seems to be a shortage of pharmacists in our area of around 100k in NC.
Gas 2.99-3.09.
Increase in mask wearing in some stores but no one bothers those who don’t and no one wears one outside. Schools finally ditched mask requirement (now optional).
Parents fighting CRT curriculum and masks at school board meetings.
Meat prices high. Last grocery run, shelves fairly well stocked but has been up and down.
People here friendly, houses decorated.
Typical weekly purchases up on average 25%. It is consistent with the Dollar stores going from $ 1.00 to $ 1.25.
I live in Middle Tennessee. Stores are well stocked, except for the Dollar General – lots of bare shelves. WallyMart has many bare shelves. If you walked through a Costco, you’d never know there are shortages, but prices are up. Prices are generally higher everywhere. Gas around $3. I buy in bulk from local ranchers for meats and I buy grains and beans in bulk from AzureStandard. Energy costs are low. Real Estate has skyrocketed. I rarely see a mask and keep one stuffed in my purse for doctor appointments (pretty sanitary, eh?). Only one doctor’s office asked me if I wanted the vax, I said “no thank you”. If you shut out the insanity, here in a small rural town, you’d never know there was a Plandemic. I see Trump Won signs, Trump 2024, etc. Everyone is friendly and just going about their lives. My daughter is keeping her children out of the public schools because it’s hit or miss. The close you get to Nashville, the more Liberal. I had family from out of town visit, one is vaxxed, one is not – they believe in personal choice. I am in process of building a self-sufficient farm should the time come that I need to close the gates for an extended period of time.
Columbia, TN here. Much the same as your post.
My wife is a realtor and has had a hectic last couple of months. The deals are complicated with some buyer purchasing sight unseen. Had a low appraisal on one house and her clients agreed to a 12,500 hit to close the deal as buyers.
I’m semiretired musician and have has a few gigs a week since the spring. It was surprising to me after the shut down… people have on some nights been generous with tips and other nights not so much.
This is a welcoming friendly community and I thank God that I was led here 15 years ago.
Merry Christmas to all and thanks to the treehouse for all you do.
I’ve been looking too.
Prices way up.
Hope you find something.
NE Texas. A local man who owns cattle told me that slaughter houses continue to be booked up. The nearest appointment available for bovine processing is one year from now. The farmers and ranchers are not being paid more. The processors are making the money.
There are several chicken processing plants along the Texas/Louisiana border. The man told me that the demand for workers in the beef processing plants near Amarillo is causing those plants to look for workers among the chicken processing employees. The plants near Amarillo have been transporting workers from East Texas to kill and cut beef in the panhandle.
This is from the regulatory capture of the USDA by the meat processors. If you want this to change, contact your congress critter and politely demand that he/she/it sign on as a co-sponsor to Thomas Massie’s PRIME Act.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3835?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22prime+act%22%2C%22prime%22%2C%22act%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=2
Southwestern IL here: gas prices are way up to the same levels BEFORE Biden* depleted our strategic reserve. Sticker shock at the grocery store. Mask Nazis are once again present at store entrances but most of us blow them off. It’s all theater of the absurd.
In Mass. places still struggle with staffing.
Local Chipotle closed for a couple weeks and reopened with 10-430pm hours cuz they cannot hire staff.
Prices are up for gas ($3.25 regular unleaded) and food, I don’t do much Christmas shopping but haven’t noticed much empty shelves at big box stores.
Covid cases rising, pols asking for more mask mandates and so far fake RINO Gov. Baker not doing it but his weak spine will cave soon to the moonbat calls for lockdowns
Metro Detroit area. Prices for everything are up more than the averages listed on the chart above. Many of the grocery stores have missing items or short supply. Every store is short of employee’s. I wear my MAGA hat every where I go with a smile on my face. I would estimate it’s 40-1 in regards to people saying love your hat vs looking at me sideways. Even in very liberal areas like the one I work. The silent majority, all ages, is huge and I wish they would stop being silent. Most of the sheep have dutifully put their masks back on with out a mandate. There would be another mandate but the governor got smacked when we the people got enough signatures to take away a portion of her out of control executive orders. Merry Christmas to everyone!! Nobody said this would be easy. But remember God always wins!!
About 80 miles north of you, and I have discovered the situation is about the same. Every business is short staffed, waitress yesterday was from WV, wanted to know why people in Michigan don’t want to work. The thing that I have noticed most distressing is the amount of overdoses and suicides.
East Texas
-gas prices still ~$3 for regular; differential between regular and hi-test doesn’t seem as great as it used to be
-bacon up from $8 to about $10-11 at local Brookshire’s….that said, the Walmart does not appear to have increased prices as much as the Brookshires for the items we regularly purchase [e.g., yogurt still $1.42 at Walmart, but $1.99 at Brookshires]
-some empty shelf areas at Walmart….but the next week the same shelves are full…..area around Walmart loaded with at least a dozen freight containers at any one time.
-beef and bacon prices actually better buying from local butcher [local Texas beef and pork]….quality so much better, we’ve stopped buying meats from supermarkets, Costco, etc. Same for bison, which we now purchase online direct from suppliers.
-the eggs we buy (pasture-raised) have gone up….but I honestly can’t remember by how much.
-local Home Depot appears much better stocked most of the time vs. Lowe’s
-masks….wear them if you want……percentage depends on the clientele for any particular store….at Walmart, guessing about a third of the folks [often fewer] are masked….seems independent of age. Brookshire’s tends to run around 50%. No complaints from anyone regardless of if you are masked or not.
Price of dog food up 20% in one month.
Chicken and duck food has doubled since spring.
Here in NE OH, many restaurants are only open 4 days/wk due to lack of workers. Covid testing lines wrap around city blocks, and long lines are in all stores. Gas is $3.39 on avg, and “Now Hiring” signs remain unnoticed. Churches remain open, schools still require masks of little children, as do daycares. There is no mask mandate from the state, but many are masking once again.
Many empty shelves on chain and local stores, grocery stores have been holding steady, but still lack items that used to be easily found. Beef prices are through the roof, and better cuts are not put out for pick up. Toy shelves are still empty.
Stores are packed in Chicago area, prices are through the roof. I don’t know how much longer this can go on.
The magic number being applied by home improvement and grocery stores varies up to 20% on select items.
I bought some zinc plated steel angle iron and they had a couple of sticks at the old price. I bought out what they had for my needs at the old price.
I suggest if you have a project you get your materials now.
I see more pea soup in my future.
Eastern NC here. Increased mask wearing noted but everyone courteous. Empty shelves of certain items in grocery stores but I have found everything I need. Trump signs plentiful as well as LGB, like my yard. Many many people wishing g each other Merry Christmas. Have also noticed unattended Salvation Army kettles.
Was in a Staples yesterday. I couldn’t believe it. Very little inventory of anything.
I was there to buy a box of address labels. $30!!! I don’t have specific memory of cost last time I bought them but it wasn’t anywhere near that!!
Gas is $3-$3.20 here in Piedmont Triad area of NC.
Are you aware of the forthcoming worldwide shortage of the additive required to keep diesel trucks running. They won’t run or start without it. Urea based product….AdBlue. . For environmental/emissions. This will have major ramifications for nation’s truck fleet.
Also the urea shortage is impacting fertilizer supplies.
Good information to know. Thanks for sharing!
Just found this “How China’s export ban could force diesel trucks that need the AdBlue exhaust fluid off the road and lead to higher food prices” https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/08/what-is-urea-and-why-does-a-worldwide-shortage-threaten-australias-supply-chain
Heard about the AdBlue shortage hitting Australia’s trucking community last week. This will only worsen the supply chain issues. Stock up on essentials while you can.
Florence County South Carolina here. Gas prices around $3.oo gal. Food prices up about 30% except for meats. Those are ridiculous. My husband and I hunt and fish and raise the majority of our meats. I can still find a loaf of bread for .65 at my local Aldi. Produce dept is still well stocked. Other things like rice and such is hit or miss. Dried goods, such as beans, prices up and harder to find. We rarely eat out, but did the other day and price had gone up $10 per person.
A long time Christmas tradition in our family is oysters for breakfast. Last year they were $68 for a gal of Louisiana Selects. This year its $90 and hard to find.
There are some folks still clinging to masks. Hurts me the most when I see kids walking into school wearing them. There are only a few, and I wonder how they are doing emotionally and mentally when everyone around them is not wearing a mask. Some businesses require employees to wear them, but most have them pulled below chin.
My husband is vaxed but I am not and will not. I told him if he went to get the booster I was going to lay down in front of the truck and he would have to roll right over me. Not Happening!
“This Too, Shall Pass.
Buts its gonna suck for awhile. I smile at everyone and wish them a Merry Christmas…except for the Salvation bell ringers. They get a stink eye as I breeze right on by in all my whiteness.
South Louisiana here, hardly anyone is masking, gas prices are just under $3.00…beef $7-8 for a pound of ground..
was in Nola last week where there are supposed to be vax mandates for restaurants, ate at 4 restaurants for lunch and not one
asked me for my vax status. I enjoyed the meals and they enjoyed taking my money.
To quote President Trump as far as restrictions go… I will not go back.
In our central NH town, gas peaked about a month ago at $3.39, now down to $3.19. I think it is the usual seasonal rate reduction for winter, but still too high.
Another round of price increases for the overall grocery bill, some things unchanged, but over all a higher final bill. More empty spaces than before. Very few employees, usually tripping over them, but now you have to search, and that is no guarantee of finding someone.
Don’t know about retail, I haven’t been able to do gift shopping yet this year, been too crazy here.
My industry (promotional marketing) has definitely been impacted. Pricing has increased at least 15% overall since February 2021. The biggest issue, however, is the decimated supply chain. Most US suppliers receive goods from overseas factories and then sell them blank for us to decorate locally or they decorate in their US factories. Try finding a black tee shirt or black polo shirt anywhere…you can’t. Products that had thousands in inventory literally have zero. Backordering is problematic since the distributors have absolutely no idea when product will be restocked. Without inventory we scramble to fill orders from clients. Very frustrating.
Also, Covid is also being used by companies to explain away their ineptitude. Sorry we didn’t email back…you know Covid. Sorry we didn’t get your order out in time…you know Covid. Sorry we put the wrong logo on the wrong item…you know Covid. Sorry I’m so stupid…you know Covid.
Costco center cut tenderloin $38 a pound. That’s almost double from last year.
I have been waiting for 5 weeks for a new roof. The roofing company now says I can expect to wait another month. Originally, the expected wait was 3 weeks.
At the same time, I am waiting for the city to replace a drainage culvert that runs the length of the back of my lot. The city is having a hard time obtaining the corrugated plastic culvert material they need for the job. In the meantime, I cannot plan any overnight trips out of town in case we have a hard rain and the storm water from the street cannot be drained efficiently.
So sorry for this double whammy. Hope it resolves soon.
Thanks. I’ll be fine. At this point, annoyed but not harmed.
As a purchaser of hard goods for the building industry I process price increases for tool hand and power , pvc piping , electrical wiring, lumber, steel goods in the hardware area of things. Inflation is not 6% it s more like 25% . On a personal note we redid our kitchen in May and June of this year. The sink I bought for 215 dollars is selling at the same place I bought it for 450 now the faucet is also almost double the price. Just remember figures can lie and liars can figure. SD has pointed out that next year all comparisons of the economy will be measured against 2019 and 2020 to insure that economy looks better than it is F J B
Report from mostly rural central Kentucky. . .
We are still cleaning up. I have been doing volunteer work with Samaritan’s Purse. I am one of the chain saw people. This is an amazing organization. Generous people have given money that buys the tools and volunteers do the work. They buy good tools. No junk. The crew I worked with had what I estimate about $200K in tools and equipment. That included the Cat skid steer and three trucks, two packed with DeWalt hand tools and Stihl power tools. We thank the generous people that pay for this. I brought my own tools. I know them and I trust them.
It is hard and dangerous work. I was surprised that my crew came from just about everywhere and looked like America. Male and female, young and old, and a mix of ethnicity. They came from New York, Omaha, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and more. They work hard. We start the day with prayer and end the day with prayer. We are there to serve the people whose lives have been destroyed along with their stuff. We try to bring just a bit of order back. However, we are there because this is where we have been called to be. Christians coming together to give our time, sweat and a little scrape or two to help God’s people. We have no denominations or agendas except to clean up a serious mess. I have helped cut up about a dozen trees, the largest an oak with a 4 foot diameter trunk an 80 feet tall. Storm downed trees are dangerous. They are not orderly and they will make you pay for a mistake. I cut away limbs, and people drag them off. The skid steer picks up the big pieces and in the end there is nothing but a short stump or a hole in the ground. It is piled using the skid steer and the piles will be burned after it dries out a bit.
These people are the salt of the earth, bringing light to a dark destruction. They work hard and joyfully. There are teens and old folks. When I cut a limb that needs to be pulled away, the hand reaching out can be literally anyone. Sometimes people will share the burden of a large limb. I can not cut them faster than people can drag them away. They are tireless and joyful.
At the last job, the roof had been completely lifted off of the brick house. The roof was gone, scattered over the rural countryside. The family was inside when it happened. They called their dad to say the roof was gone but they were fine. There were three siblings of same family living side by side. All the houses are gone. All the people were saved. Some of the crew went through the personal belongings from the house boxing up keepsakes and usable stuff. They were put in moving boxes and taken to storage for the time that there was a new place to move. I watched the women doing this work. They were meticulous and kind. They treated every item as if it was their own, wiping them clean and safely boxing them away.
Tornadoes are massively destructive where they hit, but they hit very narrow paths typically less than a quarter mile wide. It is impossible to build a useful building that can withstand a direct hit. When a tornado is closing in, the air pressure outside of the house drops fast and significantly. Modern houses are tight for energy conservation. When this differential occurs, it is high enough to cause the walls of the houses to blow out. Almost every tornado is preceded by a deluge of rain and/or hail and everyone will naturally close all of the windows when exactly the opposite is what is needed. Precast concrete buildings were destroyed. Manufactured housing (mobile homes) do not have a chance but a lot of people have them because they provide good shelter cheap. . .until the tornado warnings go out. The “good” news in all of this is that outside of the path of destruction, things were mostly untouched. Services continue to be provided. The people outside of the path are the ones helping those whose lives were destroyed.
That work continues. I will go back next week after my old bones loosen up a bit. There is a lot to do and it is no longer in the news.
But, this is about Covid and Prices. First Covid. Here in central Kentucky, there are Covid rules and nobody cares what the current ones are. People are getting the O-Covid and getting over it. We don’t have time for it. My best friend and golf partner died from possibly D-Covid just a few weeks ago. We hear of people getting the current Covid but hear of no more death. We have enough death from other things. When you find yourself living in the center of death and real destruction, it changes ones perspective.
Gas prices are down a bit. Just under $3 when it was pushing $3.15 before. There are no fuel shortages in the destruction. So, call this a lull in fuel inflation that is stalled. LP gas is high as is natural gas. Electric rates are up. It will cost a lot to heat the homes when winter hits. Good news is that it is mild so far.
Groceries are a mixed bag. Beef is ridiculous. People are changing proteins and puts supply pressure on poultry and pork, but the prices have not responded with severity. Basic ground beef is now bulk packaged at $6 pound generally with high end cuts pushing $20. Chicken parts are roughly $2-$3 depending on cuts. Pork can be had for $2 for roasts and $4 for chops. Eggs holding a about $1 a dozen or a bit higher. Milk is still less than $3 a gallon. Produce and fruit is pushing higher with fewer sales. Lettuce is around $2 a head for iceberg.
There are some shortages, but they are spotty. My wife said that she could not find Custard or Egg Nog in the dairy sections. Anything used around the holidays are in short supply. They always are.
I am curious about whether the price and shortage problems (particularly shortages) are mostly an urban rural divide. I do not trust the news because the centers of news production and attention is New York and Washington. They report about San Francisco, LA, and Chicago. It is as if we do not exist except when they can show pictures of destruction.
One last story from the cleanup. We met at the church and people were being put in our group. It became a large group and the site manager was perplexed as he did not think the job would need this many people. He said it might be a short day. We got to the site and it was quite terrible. We needed literally everyone and every chain saw was in use plus personal ones like mine. As the site was coming under control I walked over to the site manager and we talked. “You said earlier that you did not know what you would do with all of these people, but God knew exactly how much work was here.” He nodded, “Yep,” was all he had to say.
Thank you for your report on the wonderful work Samaritan’s Purse does and for your volunteering to help. This is the good that comes out of the destruction. Gen 50:20
I have been reading treeper comments on this string for close to an hour. Your comments stopped me cold and I reflected on what really matters. Helping each other. I’m fine going without . Rice and beans are ok with me. I could loose a few pounds anyway. Being there for your community of brothers and sisters is the true love of Christ.
Thank you and all of those volunteers! God bless!
Still praying for all affected.
Metro Atlanta (Buckhead): Publix was totally out of all canned cat food, every brand. My prescription cat food is still available in PetSmart. I had to search hard to find any egg nog. Finally found Publix brand with very limited supply. Publix is often out of Purified water, which I usually buy at Aldi’s as it’s about .35 cheaper as I buy in bulk.
Publix is totally out of cream cheese with signs stating they won’t get it until March 2022 due to supply chain issues and demand. Aldi’s had plenty of Friendly cream cheese @ .79.
Lots of shoppers in Publix, mostly masked. I don’t wear a mask, except yesterday was in Verizon and they asked me to mask up. On cue right before Christmas, Fulton Co. is stating we have a huge spike in CV. Fewer people masked in Aldi’s. There are no shoppers in Whole Foods. I don’t shop there but I stopped in 2xs recently for specific specialty teas and both times that location only had less than 5 shoppers. Really high prices there, even sale items.
Fulton Co. gas is always approx. .45/galleon higher than in Cobb Co (about 3-4 miles away). I paid $3.17 @ QT last week. The closest station to me is Shell (FultonCo) is $3.69 (reg). Gas Buddy app says there is a .80 spread from lowest $3.09 (3.4 miles from me, has to be Cobb Co) to the highest $3.89 (1.8 miles from me, Fulton Co.).
Prices are high.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithfield_Foods
smithfield, like a lot of our heritage brands here in the U.S.,
was bought a couple of years ago, and is now wholly owned by the chinese.
They are also all in on the woke BS. I remember Smithfield was one of the companies I contacted about my displeasure of them stepping into the political arena.
I told them their business is provide a good tasting product at a reasonable price and not to influence my vote.
North Dallas here, Frisco area. New and relatively new houses going for well over $200 sq. ft. Supply shortages of houses everywhere. People talk of selling but where do you go. Contractors pull contracts cause they know they can get higher prices at the the end of the build. Yes, there is a clause in the contract. Read the fine print
Gas has hung in there at $2.99.
Our tomahawk pork chops which we love to grill on the Green Egg are up to $15 a lb, from $12-13. Gulf of Mexico shrimp is also up to $17 a lb. Most other meats up by similar percentages.
Help wanted signs everywhere.
I did notice most retailers were out of Christmas trees early this year. People are celebrating Christmas. And good for them. It is time for a spiritual renewal. Merry Christmas to all and God Bless.
“People talk of selling but where do you go?”
that’s it in a nutshell.
and by design, i suspect.
but a heartfelt Merry Christmas to you, too. RG!
Of course everything is more expensive. The natural outcome of a government raining printed money on the world.
But what really hit me when out Christmas shopping is how vacant everything is including the people’s eyes. Car lots that are usually so full I can’t imagine them ever being able to sell all the cars are now nearly empty. The produce in groceries spread out to give the appearance of fully stocked.
The most striking thing though is vacant emptyness of the malls and shopping centers. Once vibrant are now half to 3/4 empty store fronts.
Feel like a nationwide depression to me.