keeping the Jepson humming along

Tonight, I'll be renewing my membership with the Telfair Museums.
Why tonight?
I'll be there in person for the members-only artist talk and reception!
Every month I'm privy to a party there!
And my entry fee?
Less than four dollars per month.
This is one of the most satisfying memberships I have ever had.
Plus, I'm helping two of my very favorite places -
the Jepson Center for the Arts as well as the Telfair Academy -
keep their doors open for me and everyone else in the city,
be they students or parents, locals or visitors.

Just what are the entitlements of membership?
- Free admission to their three sites for an entire year
- Two one-time use guest passes
- Free members-only exhibition previews
- Store, camp, and art class discounts
- Free subscription to Telfair members' magazine

Plus, like I said, a free party every month, usually on a Thursday.
Those tend to be slow nights for me, so that perk is a great bonus!
How difficult is the membership process?
Just click here and see how easily that is accomplished.
Come join me there!
(smile!)

laundry day for men and women

Mohamed, of Jordan, was the first to catch my eye.
I'd gone to my Nerdfighters reference site to see who might be listed, as it's been 136 days since I last loaned any money on kiva... or so they say.
I preferentially lend to women, but, like I said, he caught my attention with the reason he needed the money.

Then, just a few listings away from him was this woman, Phong, of Vietnam.
By coincidence, her line of work was the same as his!
Her reason for needing a loan was very much akin to his, too.
They are both growing their laundries - and that type of establishment has a warm place in my heart.
(smile)

thanks from twins

On New Year's Eve, I gave my fifth pint of blood for 2019.
Today, received this email from the American Red Cross.
(smile)

----- ----- -----
Donations help save lives.

Earl and Merle
Earl and Merle have a lot in common. The 85-year-old twins both joined the Navy in 1954, they share a love of fishing and they've even both had wives named Kay. They're also both blood product recipients.

After a cancer diagnosis 24 years ago, Merle needed multiple blood products as part of his treatment. As part of his ongoing treatment, he has needed periodic transfusions, most recently this past December.

Over the last year, Earl needed four to six units of blood every two weeks to treat heart valve and gastrointestinal bleeding. To date, he has received 156 units of blood products.

The brothers and their families are grateful to donors – like you – without whom they wouldn't be alive today.

"My kids have a grandpa because of donors," said Earl's daughter-in-law, Angela. "It would be so wonderful if everyone who can give would do so!"

Merle's daughter, Teresa, shares the same sentiment. "I wouldn't have my dad or my uncle if it weren't for people donating," she said. "I'm tearing up just thinking about it. Donors have given them the gift of life and their families more time to spend with them. I have had years with my father that would not have been possible without these donations."

Thanks to the generosity of donors, recipients like Earl and Merle can continue to make precious memories with their families. When you donate blood products, you help give hope and healing to those who face life and death challenges. Your generosity can help change lives and keep families together.

Make donating a family affair! Invite a loved one to spend quality time donating blood products together.
----- ----- -----

What a wonderful message to start this new year!

the trick is to keep breathing

The holidays can be pretty hard when you're an orphan, regardless of your age.
I've been without Mama since 2 January 2001 and without Daddy since 26 April 2009.
Sigh.
This marked the third Christmas that Bob Wiley has spent without his mom.
I'm not sure how long ago it was that his dad died, but it's been more than ten years.
I do know that Sam Johnson was still alive, and Sam's great heart stopped a week before my father's did.
Bob's family was small; now, there remains only his brother and himself.
Two nights ago, Bob almost took leave of this planet.
Fortunately, his step-daughter rescued him, but he is fighting an uphill battle against depression, despair, and desolation.
Now, he has a GoFundMe page to help him get back on his feet.
He isn't trying to amass a fortune... just $500 to get back on his feet.
I've chipped in, with hopes he will soon gain some solace.
The world is full of deep, dark sadness...
I try to not be part of it nor to give in to it.

Hang in there, Bob.
Tomorrow is on its way.

2019 impact via nerdfighters

I may not be traveling much these days and making an impact...
but my money certainly has been.
It's been less money than you might think, but it has affected quite a few lives.
Admittedly, I was not aware until I received the following from Kiva.

***** ***** *****
What a year! Faustina, thanks for changing lives with us.
Here's a review of the impact you've made in 2019.

In 2019, you lent

$175.00

to borrowers around the world.

Loans you made

7

Countries you impacted

6

Borrowers you supported

23
***** ***** *****

Considering that each loan I made was only twenty-five dollars, that's testimony to how much change can occur through a very small investment.
Twenty-five dollars.
And I gave that amount seven times.
Having this report certainly encourages me to continue giving up one meal at a restaurant, every other month, for the sake of helping someone's business provide for their community or someone's child to attend school.
Twenty-five dollars.
It's as easy as point and click.
(smile)

helping a bear do a good deed

By "bear" I mean the psychologist for whom I am an honorary Auntie.

A teacher who was dear to him died unexpectedly this year and what was his reaction?

To set up a scholarship in her name.

Wow.

 

As a teacher, I was quite touched that he would do such a loving thing for her.

Aubrey Shoemaker must have been a truly magnificent person.

Kevin Crabtree spent a lot of effort designing apparel that he hopes to sell, to help keep the scholarship funded for years to come.

The design he settled upon was of a Bi-Polar Bear, drawn as if on a playing card.

(He didn't draw it; he had the illustrator for his upcoming graphic novel handle that.)

He even gave me one of the T-shirts so I could parade it around!

He and I wore matching shirts one time, too, to help promote the cause.

Very cool!

 

Today, I mailed a check for $100 to the Walters State Community College Foundation, to honor Kevin and in memory of his teacher and friend.
That amount is my standard gift when a niece or nephew - such as him - graduates from high school or college. 

He graduated from that college in Tennessee, so, if I had known him back then, he would have received that type of gift from his Auntie T.
(smile)

 

For anyone else who would like to contribute, here is the address.

Shoemaker Scholarship
c/o WSCC Foundation
500 S. Davy Crockett Parkway
Morristown, TN 37813

letting my money travel to fiji

I've been going a bit stir-crazy since June, when I was stranded in St. Augustine.
The new shift cable is still very stiff, making fifth gear nigh unattainable.
So, no highway driving in my recent past and none in my near future.
What's a travel bug like me to do?
Well, how about the next best thing: letting my money see the world for me?
That was actually my thought process!
And where better to go than somewhere neither I, nor my money, had traveled?
The island country of Fiji fit the bill quite nicely!
Plus, my Nerdfighters had recommended two loans in that community.
Bravo!

Teraina was in need of funds for her fledgling fuel business.
What caught my attention?
She's a 54-year-old following her dream of being a source of kerosene and benzene for her community, as well as being a source of support for her family of six.
Yes, I can help with that!

That left me with another twenty-five dollars available at kiva.
This time, the money for the microloan went to Bobo.
She already had an established canteen, but she needed funds to expand, to allow purchase of a freezer and frozen meats for her steady clientele.
Not only would she be helping others, but she'd be better able to support her four children.
Yes, I can help with that, too!

i thank You, God, for allowing me to grant those gifts to others.