I literally can't remember when I last tanked up at a price like this. Not quite sure where this cheap gas is coming from 
(I know, we just had an election, and I suspect the Grand Old Party wanted us to think good thoughts about them as we headed to the polls), but I certainly won't wave off a full tank for less than $20.
Each October the youth group at St. Paul's hosts a Fall Festival (read: Halloween party) for the younger set. Apparently we have a healthy population of girly-girl princess types. B came as a pretty princess in pink, and Kidlet chose her character based on sparkly red shoes. Much fun was had, including caramel apples, games, and the first go-round of candy.
Forgive me, knitters, for I have sinned: I made Kidlet's wig, but stooped to use Caron One Pound No Dye Lot ACK-crylic yarn.
On a slight tangent, several weeks ago I picked up a Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF collection box for Kidlet, and last weekend introduced the concept to her as we ate dinner. Her box has four simple graphics on the front, representing the organization's aid goals of clean water, medical care, nutrition, and education for the world's children.
I mentioned that, for how easy it is for us to turn on the tap and have a glass of clean water, there are millions of children who have to drink from dirty streams and the like; so this year she could carry the box, in addition to her candy bag, and collect money for children around the world. "You mean I can help them?!?" she asked. "Yes, of course you can, sweetie."
"I don't even need that much candy!"
The global economy is unsteady. Our most important election in decades is just days away. Yet for all the turmoil and uncertainty in our privileged nation, there is poverty in the developing world that we can barely fathom.
Think there's nothing you can do? Watch this video, then think again.
We are powerful and influential people, citizens. Our small actions really do have large effects.
If you know a caregiver, choose today to applaud what they do. (Yay, Deb!)
On a lighter note, here's a bit of humor that's passed through my e-mail inbox several times before. Like the humor on South Park, its aim is equal opportunity; if you feel excluded, let me know and we'll work a rewrite for next year. We all can use a laugh - and hey, it's not political in the slightest!
Hello, and thank you for calling the [insert your location here] State Hospital. Please select from the following options menu:If you are obsessive-compulsive, press 1 repeatedly.
If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.
If you have multiple personalities, press 3, 4, 5 and 6.
If you are paranoid, we know who you are and what you want; stay on the line so we can trace your call.
If you are delusional, press 7 and your call will be forwarded to the Mother Ship.
If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a little voice will tell you which number to press.
If you are manic-depressive, hang up. It doesn't matter which number you press; nothing will make you happy anyway.
If you have short-term memory loss, press 8. If you have short-term memory loss, press 8. If you have short-term memory loss, press 8.
If you are dyslexic, press 9-6-9-6.
If you are bipolar, please leave a message after the beep or before the beep or after the beep. But please wait for the beep.
If you have low self-esteem, please hang up. Our operators are too busy to talk with you.
If you are menopausal, put the gun down, hang up, turn on the fan, lie down and cry. You won't be crazy forever.
If you are blond, please don't press any buttons. You'll just mess it up.
No Impact Man is asking for our help. Next week he is meeting with Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York's Eighth Congressional District (his own rep) and would like to present a sheaf of e-mails supporting his mission during their conversation. Please read his plea here, and consider sending a quick e-mail his way. Just imagine the good spring karma that will come your way...
They discussed the threat of human encroachment on their habitat, and how the herds face death daily as they cross freeways to their feeding grounds. Their solution? Green bridges - generously wide overpasses of earth and vegitation. Once the animals accept the bridgeway, vehicular deer deaths drop significantly. I'm suprised they're not more widely used elsewhere.Me likes the deers alive.
Her sermon began with a personal anecdote, which seemed innocent enough at the onset. Going40 has transcribed it on his blog, so go read this and come right back. Go.
As a mother, I was horrified at the report; as a human being, I was profoundly saddened. It has been far too easy to grow complacent with my existence and the shouldering of my mid-American "needs" and "troubles," taking for granted the simple facts that my daughter is healthy, there is food in the cupboards, and beds to sleep in.
Marlene then mentioned the website FreeRice.com (see button on the sidebar). It's an online vocabulary game; for each correct reponse, 20 grains of rice are donated by the site's sponsors through the United Nations to help end world hunger. A small gesture, to be sure, but one that is cumulative and educational.
If you are looking for a bigger gesture, there will be an economic stimulus check heading your way this spring. It could serve as a drop in the bucket of the American recession, or it could have a profound impact on the survival of people all over the world. I'm just sayin'.
“We need to move away from more and global to less and local; from accumulation of unnecessary clutter to enjoyment of good things in life like art, music, friendship and free time. We need to shift from waste to frugality, from consuming to making, from illusion to imagination, from desire to delight and from consumption of natural resources to an appreciation of the natural.”
-Satish Kumar
