from OHM to a horseshoe crab

Waiting in my email box this afternoon as this little poem, for me!

"'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town,
OHM staff were rushing and running around:
Checking the post box, hoping petitions were there;
Fighting for good quality water and air;
Ensuring the payroll was submitted on time;
Sending in their comments before the deadline;
Squinting in winter sun while counting up birds;
Learning to listen well and act on their words;
And the whole time, rememb'ring the reasons they race:
For the future, protection, and love of this place.

Happy holidays from the One Hundred Miles team!" 

How very kind of that organization to think of me, a lowly horseshoe crab!

Keep on protecting this Georgia coast, please!

See you next year!

gift to the church for 2024

Today is the day for pledging funds for the their budget for 2024.

My pledge is lower than in past years.

However, the amount I have promised to Asbury Memorial Church makes them the second largest charitable organization to which I give.

They had been the largest for the past few years.

So, why the decrease this coming year?

I know they will have other fundraisers, just as they have had this year, and every year.

As a retiree, my funds are limited, and I already have other debts (for the repair of my car, for the repairs to my house, for the repairs to my roof) acquired in the past few months that I will be tasked with paying off next year.

Therefore, I found it necessary to decrease my pledge.

Fortunately, this pledge drive will allow them to amend their budget.

Meanwhile, I will feel freer to contribute to the fundraisers that arise.

I call that a win-win for all.

(smile!)

honoring my stepmom on bday75

Happy 75th birthday, Bonnie!

 

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, I decided to gift you by giving money to someone else.

 

Yeah, maybe that doesn't sound like a good present, but I know you will be pleased.

 

This is the fellow I chose especially for you.

 

His name is Munkhbat, he's 49 years old, and Kiva describes him as "modest and hard-working".

 

Believe it or not, he's a cobbler.

 

No, not like peach or blackberry! LOL!

 

The man makes shoes.

 

Right?!

 

In this day and age, there are still people out there who craft shoes by hand.

 

He must do quality work, as he sells five pairs of shoes every day from his home in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

 

Pretty amazing!

 

But you know what I like most about this?

 

His favorite part of his business is seeing people wearing his shoes.

 

Very nice.

 

So, to help him buy more materials to make more shoes, I gave him your birthday money.

 

That $25 will go a long way over there!

 

Maybe one day he'll be able to sell his shoes on the internet; one never knows.

 

So, happy birthday to you, dear friend and stepmom!

 

(smile!)

communication in madasgar

When I finally had the funds, I didn't have time to look for someone.

Now, Jean Charles, a 34-year-old man like my nephew Michael, is one step closer to helping others stay in touch with their family.

Here's what Kiva had to say about this father of three in Madasgar.

"He is enterprising, he has been in the business of mobile phones for a dozen years. He has a place of sale at the edge of a popular street. He manages to meet his family's food, schooling, clothing and other basic needs with his earnings. However, he wants to progress. He wants to further improve the living conditions of his family and also wants to carry out major projects such as buying building land.

Jean Charles takes out loans to strengthen his selling capital. He is one of Vahatra's good partners. He profited from his previous loans. He manages to contribute savings with his profits.

Jean Charles is applying for this loan to buy various cell phones to put back on sale. He's going to buy touch-tone phones and androids. He will be able to increase his merchandise."

The need for people to stay in touch, even when at a distance, is vital for their mental health.

This nerdfighter of Kiva wishes him much continued success and applauds the fine example he has set for his children.

Kudos to you!

another church roof

This time, it isn't at the sister church, it's here at Asbury Memorial Church.

Rather than a low country boil, a different technique has been devised.

The members of the congregation are being asked to pledge by choosing a date on a calendar that holds importance to them, then to pay based on that date's corresponding placement within a calendar year.

Let me explain.

I chose May 17th.

That date happens to be the 137th day of the year, so I wrote a check for that amount this morning and dropped it off with Claudette.

What did I choose that date?

It certainly doesn't mark the birthday or anniversary of anyone in my family, nor does it mark a special day for my friends.

However, Joan Hester Byrd would have been 94 on that date.

I do miss that songbird.

gift of time and talent

As a member of Asbury Memorial Church for some years now, I have pledged to give to that congregation my presence, my gifts, my talents, and my service.

Once upon a time I gave my service - meaning my time - to the Hospitality Team for over a year, helping to take care of food service before and during any meals or "big" coffee hours, as well as dish clean-up and trash removal afterward.

Another time, I gave my service - meaning my time - to the Flower Ministry for about a year, helping to transform the huge displays at the front of the church on Sunday mornings into smaller bouquets to brighten the homes of those ill or celebrating a big birthday.

This year, I gave my service and my talents to the Vacation Bible School, a week of evenings spent with children in grades pre-K through 6th, to better inform them about Bible stories.

I was given three evenings to enact those tales, along with others who were volunteering their service and talents.

I had so much fun, I'm going to do this again!

i thank You, God, for the opportunity to let my light shine.

(smile!)

bday65 to celebrate at gala20!

While I was at the venue tonight, I thought: "Why not?"

So I bought the ticket for the future event, knowing it was a good deal more than I typically spend on one-night deals.

So why did I do it?

 

First, I was at the Savannah Children's Theatre to see their latest musical - featuring a story I was raised with - for the second time.

They just keep getting better, giving more every year.

This is their fifth production this year - THIS YEAR! - with more on the near horizon.

 

Second, I like the idea of going to a gala... I do!

I recall having an in-depth conversation with Deborah Ray and perhaps K.T. Aull, and who knows who else, about the differences between a gala, a fete, a party, and a soiree.

They actually have better recollections of my descriptions than I do!

But here's the main thing about a gala: cocktail attire is required.

Cocktail dresses for the women, cocktail jackets for the men.

I have a new black dress that I've not ever worn and this sounds like the perfect occasion for me to get dolled up and go out for the evening...

and a Saturday evening at that!

Third, I need a worthy event for my bday65 gift to me.

At a cost of $75 per ticket, this certainly qualifies.

It also benefits a cause I believe in, so that makes it perfect.

Now, to wait for the day...

and try to decide later whether to bid at the silent auction there.

(smile!)