Volunteering is Just That, A Gift of Free Time and Service

Whenever there's a call for volunteers, my hand is usually the first up. Well, it used to be till I wised up. Don't get me wrong. Volunteer work is still important to me. I'm just choosier about what I agree to help with. It has to meet my criteria.

* Do they really need help? I volunteered to chaperon a dance after reading how desperate they were for help. Got there and just stood around. The organizer had gotten a better response than expected and didn't bother to tell anyone so they could decide if they really had time. Read on.   Volunteering is Just That

Lenten Kitchen Waste Not Want Not Vegetarian Chili

Today was refrigerator clean-out, leftover use-up day. Buried under five feet of snow and ice, I made what I call Chili Today and Hot Tamale. Just right to thaw my frozen husband who's been scrapping ice all morning. This recipe is vegetarian, low calorie and easy on my diet. And it makes a perfect addition to my online Lenten Kitchen recipe collection. During lent Catholics fast so they can live in solidarity with the poor and imitate Christ. We eat simple foods that are similar to those eaten in disadvantaged countries.   Vegetarian Chili Today and Hot Tamale--Low Calorie, Too!

Give the Gift of Life--Drive Safely

Michigan's weather is redefining itself yet gain. From 2 degrees and -25 wind chill, we're at 32 degrees--freezing point. I told my daughter who quipped, "if that's freezing, what have we been having all winter?" Good question. 32 is the point at which water freezes. So anything slightly above, below or just at and we get a nasty "wintry mix." AKA, half-freezing rainy snow that melts and refreezes back and forth as temps ping-pong. It was this kind of weather that caused me to get in an accident last year. So please, give the gift of life. Put the phone down. Drive safely! Read on  Rising Temperatures Mean Wintry Mix, Bad Roads

What to Give and Not Give to Food Banks

Do you donate to food banks? If so, what kind of things do you give? I have issues with some items our church food pantry requests: Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, boxed macaroni and cheese, boxed potatoes. I don't buy these products and I'm doing people a service not buying it for them.
This "food" isn't food at all. It's full of fat and sodium and just convenience junk. If food is going to homeless people, I see why packaged is essential. They have no place to cook. But presumably the recipients of our food pantry do, ergo the Hamburger Helper request. I know non-perishables work best but there are better packaged food options.  Do You Give to Food Pantries? What Food do You Donate?

I Sat in Rosa Parks Bus Seat and It Was Profoundly Moving

I had a profound experience recently, one that I have few words to describe. I sat in Rosa Parks' bus seat. The one, on December 1, 1955, she refused to vacate when a white man wanted it. That act sparked the Montgomery bus boycott. It propelled the Woolworth Lunch Counter protests, freedom riders and other Civil Rights demonstrations. All because of one brave little rebel lady.  I Sat in Rosa Parks Bus Seat

Bargains, More Importantly Blessings at Fair Trade Christmas Sale

I helped with our fair trade/direct trade Christmas sale at church Saturday. We didn't have nearly the traffic we had last year, but weather was treacherous and cold. I'm hoping that's the reason. And not that people prefer junk stuff produced by slave labor in exploited countries. Sorry, I get ranty about fair trade. And I admit, it's not easy. That's why I felt so good about this sale.   Bargains and Blessings at Our Fair Trade Christmas Sale

Advent Calendar Service Project Craft

Many of us parents have found Christmas to be about receiving not giving with our children. It's not that kids are selfish, it's that marketing campaigns bombard them with products to want. Who can blame kids for wanting all that cool stuff? To say, 'you're selfish' to a child is to state an obvious, but not necessarily negative fact. Telling them not to desire is pointless.  It's part of how children learn to meet their own needs. We can give them opportunities to practice giving, sharing too though, especially at Advent. Here's an advent calendar craft with sharing opportunities.Advent Math, Writing Project Craft

Pack Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Now

I'm putting together my Operation Christmas Child shoebox for Samaritan's Purse. Since 1993, these gift boxes have been shipped around the world to kids in need. We've been participating for about that long. Here's how I'm saving $11 packing it in person. But packing a box online works great for homebound and elderly.Packing Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoe box

I Don't Say Happy, but Blessed Veterans Day

(my poem for Veterans Day, 2013)

I feel wrong saying "Happy Veterans Day."
War isn't something to celebrate.
Killing and dying aren't festivities.
War just is.  Reflections of the Vietnam Wall, Blessed Veterans Day

Pet Owners, Animal Care Workers Beware of Jerky Treats

Jerky treats have been causing pets to get sick. Since 2007, 580 pet deaths have been linked to jerky-style pet treats. 3,600 dogs and 10 cats have gotten sick from eating the snacks. The US Food and Drug Administration has been testing to see what's causing the illnesses and deaths. They've run 1,200 tests and still no conclusions. Pet owners, if you love your kitty or doggie, don't give jerky snacks. Jerky Treats Sicken and Kill Pets FDA Looks at Why