My son & I had the privilege of meeting a little 7 year old boy, Christopher Cusack, who has been collecting gently used coats for people who need them. The full story is here:
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20090102/NEWS/901020342/0/CRIME
"Christopher's coat collection initially began in December 2007 when he was walking to the bus stop with his coat open and after his mother asked him to zip it closed. When Christopher questioned his mother, she told him that not every child around the world was as fortunate as him to have a coat. Since then, Christopher has donated his own used coats to charity and collects coats from others at his school."
Not only has Christopher come up with this incredibly compassionate idea, he has also helped sort and give the coats out. I asked he how it felt to give someone a coat & his answer was "it makes me happy." Not only did he reach his goal, but he has surpassed it & plans to continue collecting the coats.
How many of us as adults have said we wanted to do something to help others and then let our idea fall by the wayside. I know I have. Sure, I help here & there, but this child actually did it without wanting anything back. A child. Not only is he helping people who really need it, but he is also providing the opportunity for everyone else help.
A child.
Gives me a lot to think about.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Inquiring Minds
Now for the really inquiring minds ... I got this from Monica (http://monicasmindlessmutterings.blogspot.com/) who got this from Linda (Linda’s World) who got this fromTraci (My Like As A Transplanted Yankee)!
The object is to boldface the items that you HAVE done, and leave the rest normal…. If you end up doing it, leave a link so we can come check out what YOU have done. After all this inquiring mind wants to know! (mine are in purple & bold).
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars (many times)
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (no way, no how!)
12. Visited Paris (a dream of mine)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (an incredible sight!)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (do kittens count?)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France (on my to do list)
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (shhh, don't tell!)
24. Built a snow fort (ah, memories)
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (yes & love it!)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (a dream)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (my daughter yes, me...in my dreams!)
32. Been on a cruise (on my to do list)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (Key word ... HAD)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person (on my to do list)
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David (how I would love to!)
41. Sung karaoke (maybe I'd have the nerve after a couple of drinks...ok, more than a couple of drinks!)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant (what a nice thought...put on to do list)
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing (on my to do list)
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person (another how I would love to)
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain (can only dream)
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater (does this show how old I am?)
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (always wanted to)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching (on to do list)
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma (can't due to meds I take)
65. Gone sky diving (never, no way, not me!)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (oops)
68. Flown in a helicopter (& would love to do that again!)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (still have my teddy bear from when I was a child)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar (yuck!)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (best memories)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car (does a brand new used car count?)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
The object is to boldface the items that you HAVE done, and leave the rest normal…. If you end up doing it, leave a link so we can come check out what YOU have done. After all this inquiring mind wants to know! (mine are in purple & bold).
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars (many times)
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (no way, no how!)
12. Visited Paris (a dream of mine)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (an incredible sight!)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (do kittens count?)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France (on my to do list)
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (shhh, don't tell!)
24. Built a snow fort (ah, memories)
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (yes & love it!)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (a dream)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (my daughter yes, me...in my dreams!)
32. Been on a cruise (on my to do list)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (Key word ... HAD)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person (on my to do list)
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David (how I would love to!)
41. Sung karaoke (maybe I'd have the nerve after a couple of drinks...ok, more than a couple of drinks!)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant (what a nice thought...put on to do list)
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing (on my to do list)
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person (another how I would love to)
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain (can only dream)
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater (does this show how old I am?)
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (always wanted to)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching (on to do list)
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma (can't due to meds I take)
65. Gone sky diving (never, no way, not me!)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (oops)
68. Flown in a helicopter (& would love to do that again!)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (still have my teddy bear from when I was a child)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar (yuck!)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (best memories)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car (does a brand new used car count?)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
My Kids Are Crazy!
My daughter, always the artist (I'll have to get back to her history of drawing all over everything another time!), loves to make icons!
She was so excited the other day to show me her newest one...
"Mommy, want to see what I made?!" she asked (any parent will innocently fall for that line, thinking that their child drew a lovely picture forgetting that there are times when this should be seen as a warning!).
"Sure" I answered as I watch her icon flash across the screen.
Heart, Peace Sign, Peace & Love............HOLD IT!
"What was that?!" I exclaimed! "Go back and show me the icon again!"
Heart, Peace Sign, Marijuana leaves in the shape of a peace sign....!!!!!
"Do you know what that peace sign is made of?" I ask my daughter.
"Yeah, leaves." was her answer.
"Those are marijuana leaves! You cannot use them for your icon!" I answered.
"I didn't know! How do you tell the difference?!" she answered.
I'm not sure if I should be glad that she is innocent enough not to know what marijuana looks like or worried that she should be street smarter by now!
Groan.................
She was so excited the other day to show me her newest one...
"Mommy, want to see what I made?!" she asked (any parent will innocently fall for that line, thinking that their child drew a lovely picture forgetting that there are times when this should be seen as a warning!).
"Sure" I answered as I watch her icon flash across the screen.
Heart, Peace Sign, Peace & Love............HOLD IT!
"What was that?!" I exclaimed! "Go back and show me the icon again!"
Heart, Peace Sign, Marijuana leaves in the shape of a peace sign....!!!!!
"Do you know what that peace sign is made of?" I ask my daughter.
"Yeah, leaves." was her answer.
"Those are marijuana leaves! You cannot use them for your icon!" I answered.
"I didn't know! How do you tell the difference?!" she answered.
I'm not sure if I should be glad that she is innocent enough not to know what marijuana looks like or worried that she should be street smarter by now!
Groan.................
Friday, January 23, 2009
Two Wolves
Two Wolves
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people. He said, 'My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.'
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: 'Which wolf wins?'
The old Cherokee simply replied, 'The one you feed.'
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people. He said, 'My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.'
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: 'Which wolf wins?'
The old Cherokee simply replied, 'The one you feed.'
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Hot Tea & Toast equals Warm Memories
I haven't made toast for myself in a long time and I'm wondering why now. I've always considered it a comfort food...warm bread, melting butter, thin layer of my favorite jam or jelly.This morning's meal reminded me of breakfasts long ago at my Oma & Opa's house. Such clear memories, warm memories. Their kitchen always smelled of a combination of tea and my Opa's tobacco smoke. The wallpaper had cherries on an off white background, the counters green and the chairs red. The clock above the door was always set ahead (my Opa's doing because my Oma was always running late) and the back window looked out over their small yard and my Oma's rose garden.
Breakfast was always the same: hot tea, toast, sweet butter, current jelly or strawberry jam and a soft boiled egg served in an eggcup for my Opa. Once in awhile, my Opa would walk down the hill to the corner bakery and buy warm, homemade jelly donuts, the kind that were coated with sugar and filled with raspberry jelly! I would squeeze in my seat, butter my toast and watch my grandparents' morning ritual. There was an order to it and never rushed.
My memories of eating breakfast there are sort of a comfort food. A comfort of a time when there was a ritual I could always count on being there, a warm belly, comforting smells and being loved in their own special way.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
There is a Lifeboat in My Living Room!!!
It all starts innocently enough!
Mom....Can we go sleighing!
Mrs. M, can I borrow the air pump to put some more air in my snow tube?
Reasonably safe I think until I walk into my living room to find this huge yellow life boat, I mean "sleigh", that can hold about 50 kids!
I find myself laughing as I can only see 6 legs holding it up and wondering how they are going to get it out my front door! As kids only can, they do and march off happily to sleigh down the hill covered only with about 1 inch of snow!
Mom....Can we go sleighing!
Mrs. M, can I borrow the air pump to put some more air in my snow tube?
Reasonably safe I think until I walk into my living room to find this huge yellow life boat, I mean "sleigh", that can hold about 50 kids!
I find myself laughing as I can only see 6 legs holding it up and wondering how they are going to get it out my front door! As kids only can, they do and march off happily to sleigh down the hill covered only with about 1 inch of snow!
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