Dear Countryside Friends, I haven't shopped for toys in a while, having had a empty nest for several years now. I have a new little friend who will be riding and showing my horse. I thought to buy her a little gift for Christmas. Went shopping for a 9 year old girl and WHAT A SHOCK. They have GOT to be KIDDING! What happened to Breyer horses, Farm Sets, Lincoln Logs, baby dolls that wet, jump ropes, baseball mits, chemistry sets or paint by numbers (not velvet)? I was appalled at the garbage that hit me in all the senses as I tried to browse several stores for decent fun toys. Disgusting. I got a headache (probably from the plastics and dyes - LOL) not to mention the eye strain just trying not to look at those unearthly colors. I know I can find the above mentioned items if I travel to a bigger city and look hard; but that's not the point. You would think I could find "decent" toys in Toys 'R' Us or Michaels Crafts or WalMart or Meijer. Nope, not up here anyway (Northern LP in Michigan). I ended up in a Quality Farm & Fleet (Feed Store) and found a horsey farm set. Well I'm on my high horse now! (Actually he's only 14.2 hands, but nevermind). I'd like to know I'm not the only one who is in trauma after that shopping trip. Thanks for listening, Susan in Michigan

-- Susan from almost Northern MI (smb7705@aol.com), December 19, 2001

Answers

Susan, I can almost always find all that you listed at the stores you listed, it just might be that at this late of date, they are all out of them items.

True, the toys out there are not the same toys we grew up with, but then again neither are the clothes,the movies,the cars,the houses,the computer,the cameras,our parents,etc. Times change and with it society and its possessions change.

When I was 10, I played with Lincoln Logs and army men. My 10 yr old daughter types and talks to kids from other countries, knows how to wire a DVD,speaks spanish,english and is learning french.

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), December 19, 2001.

Thanks TomK, You are right and what we played with was not always the same as what our parents & grandparents played with. It just seems each generation is growing further and further from the real Earth. I believe that most "modern" people (including children) don't have a clue about the real world and how to live on, with and certainly not for it. I'm worried.

-- Susan from almost Northern MI (smb7705@aol.com), December 19, 2001.

I too ended up at the Feed store and purchased a really cute truck with a horse trailer and horse and rider for $12 bucks !! All toys last week were 50% off !! I went nuts !! Bought a few to put into the Toys for Tots bin !! I always buy too much for the grandchildren and I also keep some to put away for birthday presents or that unexpected company with children. Toys for kids are expensive and junk. I know what you mean about not finding toys that are suitable for children. What ever happened to childhood ?? I look often on E- bay and purchase some very nice books for children there and for myself also. Have to pay shipping but usually worth it !! Happy Holidays !!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), December 19, 2001.

I know exactly what you mean. Except to buy an occasional puzzle, I stay out of the mainline toy stores. I mainly shop catalogue and internet sites. www.Hearthsong.com is pretty good. They have a nice catalogue, too.

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), December 19, 2001.

Breyer horses are still around, but the price has risen considerably since it was sold to a toy company instead of being a sideline of a plastic sewer pipe company.

If you really want to find them,try farm stores (Fleet Farm -- Farm & Fleet's sibling -- usually has some at christmas, but the nicer ones get snapped up fast). Or you can get them mail order -- this is my favorite company to deal with. Their prices are reasonable on the retail market (less than most other retailers) and they are very good people to deal with -- http://www.modelhorses.com/bentley/

-- julie f. (rumplefrogskin@excite.com), December 20, 2001.

Chuckle!!!! I know your problem. I think there was always junk and good stuff; it's just more apparent now. My granddaughters (10 and 13) are getting knitting needles, yarn, scissors and knitting bags for Christmas---and lessons from me. Oh, and some other stuff but that, too. Priced the West Family horses/people lately? They aren't toys any more----only collectors can afford them.

-- Dee (Rosalie) (deatline@globalsite.net), December 20, 2001.

It is shocking, for those us who haven't had younger children in a while! We had a friend who visited last night --My husband asked what his girls were getting from Santa (they are 9 and 11) His reply: " Well, we got them cell phones, clothes and we're giving them $500 each to spend at the mall"! These kids are NINE and ELEVEN! IMHO no child this age needs a cell phone or 500$!!!!!!

-- Debbie T in NC (rdtyner@mindspring.com), December 20, 2001.

Other members of the family are trying to get me a cell phone for a present. NO WAY.

First, we're rural (sometimes go for miles without reception), so maybe I'd realistically be better off with a CB or Ham Radio for emergencies in the car.

Second, until they fix the billing so that you only pay for YOUR outgoing calls (not the present system, where you pay to receive calls as well--talk about double dipping!!!) I am not interested.

Third, no one I know has EVER gotten rid of a land line after getting a cell phone, so that expense would be on top of what you already pay for phone service.

Fourth, I grew up without a phone (choice, not affordability issues) and couldn't be bothered to carry it anyway. I have always considered the phone more of a nuisance than anything (I still am quite startled when they ring), and other than for the computer hookup, don't use it much. I don't buy into the argument that "if you had a cell phone, we could contact you in an emergency (except for perhaps organ transplants)". There will always be instances where you are "too late"- -so you get the call that so-and-so is passing on, you might be stuck in traffic. If you are meant to know in time, you will know. Have an emergency plan in place--what do you do if you're in SF and there's an earthquake, etc.

Fifth, as for children having them, that is just lazy parenting, and parents should be ashamed. If you're afraid they'll wander w/o permission, install a subcutaneous GPS and track 'em. Just kidding. ROTFLMAO.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), December 20, 2001.

If you're looking for the stuff you used to play with, go to ebay. I've seen scads of lincoln logs, tinker toys, old dolls, army guys, plastic horses, hot wheels, etc.

-- gita (gita@directcon.net), December 20, 2001.

Wal mart has a wonderfull special run of wild mustangs by breyer right now. it is just hard to find them in the chaos! Go back & lookthey are well worth it.

stallions & cougars, mare & foal ,stallion & yearling. very nice colour selection on the 6 different sets. & profits go to wild horse consv. fund. 13.00 for each pair or ebay for 15.-39.00 + shipping.

-- bj pepper in C. MS. (pepper.pepper@excite.com), December 20, 2001.

Try finding a store called: MindSparks, very good educational, imaginative and developmental toys.

-- Rose Marie Wild (wintersongfarm@yahoo.com), December 20, 2001.

GT,

I'd be absolutely lost without my Sprint PCS phone! I can call anywhere in the US at any time, and its all a local call. Plus for less than $30 a month I have more minutes available then I will ever use and it takes messages just like the answering machine at home. Just as soon as I can get switched to a wireless internet service we will be dropping our "land line." The cell phone is so much cheaper, and the same phone number works no matter where I am. If I run up north to visit my folks, I can still make and receive calls the same as if I was in my home town.

However, if you live in an area with poor reception then its probably not worth your while to have a cell phone. Although you might want to check out more than one provider, some have better coverage than others, and towers are sprouting up all over the place.

-- Jane (jwagman@mail.com), December 21, 2001.

Just thought I'd throw my .02 in here. I'm 40mumble and back when I was nine there were quality toys and junk toys too. At nine I was in fourth grade and so I was beyond Lincoln Logs and dolls that wet themselves. I was one number away from having two digits in my age. Woohoo. I was very much into crafts at that age. And cooking classes at the Girls Club. And keeping my banana seet bike fine tuned. I enjoyed things that allowed me some creative outlet.

-- pc (jasper2@doglover.com), December 22, 2001.