I love vegans and respect them 100%. I really do. Not only do they take the brunt of the criticisms lobbed at us vegetarians, but they are also the ultimate humanitarians – not wanting to harm or take advantage of any creature. Vegans don’t partake in any animal products so honey, wool, dairy and eggs are off limits as well as meat, fish, fur and leather. Environmentally, it’s a pretty sound diet and health wise, well, I’ve never seen an over weight vegan. To demonstrate my vegan love I... [Read more]
Dear Panama City Beach, Florida- We have a problem. Our relationship has suffered because of your neglectful attitude and your refusal to better yourself. I am threatening to end this affair here and now if you don’t clean yourself up, pay attention to what really matters, and have some self-respect. I have been a faithful lover and have repeatedly stood up for you when people called you “Redneck Riviera.” When the nationally syndicated TV show “Squidbillies” used you…Read More Read More →
Definition of “Murphy’s Law” – Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Attributed to Capt. Ed Murphy a development engineer at an aircraft lab. Fly with confidence. The plan was to introduce a 2nd grade class at 24th Street Elementary to the basil plants in their beautiful garden by teaching them to make pesto. I would then hand them a worksheet, which gave them four uses for the homemade pesto. Teaching a cooking class for children had been an inspired, original, and fun volunteer... [Read more]
Every time I start a new volunteer activity I have this moment of panic. Why am I here? What am I doing? It’s a Saturday, why am I not on the couch eating chocolate? Who are these people? Why did they agree to have me help them if they don’t know what they want me to do? It’s pretty much the same drill every weekend though I’ve now volunteered for dozens of different groups. It was no different last week when I found myself standing on the porch of Alex and Gregg, a couple I’d never met.... [Read more]
If only birds woke up later I would be a happy person. Once again I dragged my insomniac a$% out of bed to help save the world. Today protecting the planet and mankind means counting birds. I know, calm down, I can’t believe I’m doing something so selfless either. What avian specimen would I be stalking? The Western Snowy Plover – a cute little bird that drops dead due to human encroachment and general indecency. They are so delicate the occasional flasher gives them tiny heart attacks... [Read more]
With less than two months left I have recently been beset by naysayers who think I can’t do the ten different volunteer activities left by the end of this year. To prove that I have a plan and that this is completely doable for anyone, not just me, here is my projected path for the next two months. This list might change as my original list did because of scheduling conflicts, natural disasters, etc. I am ready for disasters and set backs – I think. Volunteer Projects List: 1. Teach a cooking... [Read more]
When I first wrote this blog entry I kind of tip-toed over the whole pain issue. Upon reflection I decided it would be dishonest to mislead people so let me add a little disclaimer here – Though I would definitely do this again I found this much more uncomfortable than giving blood. The arm giving blood/plasma during the apheresis was virtually painless after the needle was in place. However, the arm receiving replacement fluid was very uncomfortable – like burning/pressure uncomfortable... [Read more]
