Living Rural

My goodness, only day two(2) and I’m late with my post - not a good start,, but correcting the problem NOW.

If I have to pass the buck to someone for blame, it will be ALGEBRA. Yes, I know - algebra is a subject for high school students, freshmen, or math teachers - wrong! If you return to school (late in life, like I have), it is required to complete College Math which is the pseudonym for algebra. My last class of algebra was in 1966. Now, you tell me, how much of that have/should I have retained? I am finding out none! I am not going to let this get the best of me … or you guys. This class ends on November 11th, thank goodness and I will move on to psychology and business. I want to keep you updated on my progress in college, but I do not want to bore you with my personal stuff, day after day. So, enough said, right?

Moving on … how did everyone do with the first day of NaBloPoMo? The blogs I read were excellent, some mentioned it, most most went on business as usual. Most bloggers participating already post everyday or at least five days out of seven, for them it is “business as usual.” For me, this is a challenge I have placed on myself and one I want to accomplish. I told all of you rather than a theme I will be “wingin’ it.” Talking about the things of interest (I hope) pertaining to life in the country!

If you still want to check out what NaBloPoMo go here . I am not sure if you can sign up still, but I think you will be able too.

Until tomorrow … write, write, write … and “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

NaBloPoMo, education, AIU, algebra, college

I AM SURE “BABY BOOMERS” remember “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” boxes that our parents gave us to collect change, from the homes we visited on Halloween, to be given to the project being sponsored that year. Yes, they wanted to support UNICEF; but, I think it was to ease the guilt of letting us go through the neighborhood begging for candy!

Thank goodness they felt that guilt … it instilled in me, and many others, that helping others through giving was a good thing. It planted the seed of volunteering in my heart. I knew I might not always be able to give money for causes that were important to me, but I could and would give my time and my talents.

Over the years, I have volunteered for many causes - our local museum, library, schools (public and private), nursing home through gardening, caring for a plot of roses in our city park, and through many functions connected to our church. My plate has always been full. When thinking about Halloween and the days of collecting for UNICEF, I realized I had not done much for this group in several years. I naturally went to their web site UNICEF. I was amazed at what I found. I read and read.

NEW YORK, 27 October 2003 - Good ideas often have humble beginnings. Such is the story of “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF,” which started in 1950 when a group of young trick-or-treaters went door-to-door on Halloween with their pastor in Philadelphia. At each door, they not only opened their bags for candy, but held out empty milk cartons to collect coins for children in need overseas. They collected $17 and sent it to UNICEF. The result was much bigger than those children ever imagined.

And that’s how it started …

I hope kids are still doing this as they make the rounds tomorrow - in groups with parental supervision, only in their own neighborhood, in safe costumes before dark. Or at an organized event without the emphasis on “getting” but “giving”.

UNICEF, Volunteering, Halloween, pumpkins, holidays, giving, “trick-or-treat”, children, “baby boomers”

Such a blessing to wake this morning and hear the soft sound of the rain, to smell that “fresh” smell that comes with it, and to be so thankful for EVERY DROP. This part of the state is experiencing a drought. The farmers are desperate for rain - a good old fashioned “soakin”. One that is slow and steady and lasts for days … it’s hard to believe it is October and the temperatures are still in the 80’s and so muggy. I want Fall, NOW!

Today is also my husband’s sixty-first birthday … baby boomer facing the BIG ONE … oh, not his age, MEDICARE. How scary is that? You must tell them (TPIC) that you are now eligible, what choice you have made, are you retiring, and the list goes on and on. Check it out at Official Medicare site and Medicare.org

It is strange to realize that I, too, will be facing Medicare in a mere three years! In my heart, I am twenty-five! I can hear my children now - laughing their heads off. Oh well, it will come whether I like it or not, so … back to the weather.

The rain did not last long enough, but it was nice. I can not believe I am complaining … look at what the folks in California are facing. The late news just announced it may have been arson … who on earth could/would do such a thing? It breaks my heart that we have people on this earth that do not respect life, resources, or other’s property. Is it the person’s up-bringing, their environment, media, gangs, to much time with nothing to do, stupidity, ignorance, or meanness? Any of the above should not be accepted as causes or reasons! If the person(s) are caught, I hope the punishment will befit the horrendous crime!

Sorry, I had to get that off my “chest”. Our thoughts and prayers are with the folks in California, with the fire-fighters, their families and all areas in desperate need of RAIN.

rain, drought, California fires, baby boomers, Medicare, Fall, Autumn, farmers, fire-fighters, weather, arson