May your joys be many, your sorrows be few,
Your adventures worth living,
and prosperity, too.
Happy 2009!
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Good Hands
.
What better way to contemplate the beginning of a new era than to salute, as Fargo's daily has done today, the youth of the community as Forum Person of the Year.
Our kids are thinkers, organizers, fundraisers, workers, leaders...on many charitable endeavors in the community, including filling the Fargodome with food and raising some $70,000 for the Great Plains Food Bank.
Who knows, one of these, yep, community organizers just might grow up to be president some day.
We'll be in good hands.
.
Happy New Year, everyone!
(crossposted at firedoglake's Oxdown Gazette)
What better way to contemplate the beginning of a new era than to salute, as Fargo's daily has done today, the youth of the community as Forum Person of the Year.
Our kids are thinkers, organizers, fundraisers, workers, leaders...on many charitable endeavors in the community, including filling the Fargodome with food and raising some $70,000 for the Great Plains Food Bank.
Who knows, one of these, yep, community organizers just might grow up to be president some day.
We'll be in good hands.
.
Happy New Year, everyone!
(crossposted at firedoglake's Oxdown Gazette)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Remember the Need
.
Greed's dominated this country too much and too long, and you don't need me to repeat the stories of the repercussions of that.
Instead, right now, please remember the need.
Food pantries are strained beyond their limits. Fuel assistance programs can use donations, too. You can find 'em in your hometown if you just take the time to look.
In Fargo, the Great Plains Food Pantry provides food for those in need statewide and in northern Minnesota. And SENDCAA helps people with emergency heating assistance. They're in the phone book.
I'll bet there are places just like 'em in your community and phone book, too.
This holiday season, open your hearts...and your checkbooks. No, I'm not giving you links. Part of this process is you...seeking out where you can make a difference.
And knowing that you're one vital voice in restoring the better angels of our America.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!
Greed's dominated this country too much and too long, and you don't need me to repeat the stories of the repercussions of that.
Instead, right now, please remember the need.
Food pantries are strained beyond their limits. Fuel assistance programs can use donations, too. You can find 'em in your hometown if you just take the time to look.
In Fargo, the Great Plains Food Pantry provides food for those in need statewide and in northern Minnesota. And SENDCAA helps people with emergency heating assistance. They're in the phone book.
I'll bet there are places just like 'em in your community and phone book, too.
This holiday season, open your hearts...and your checkbooks. No, I'm not giving you links. Part of this process is you...seeking out where you can make a difference.
And knowing that you're one vital voice in restoring the better angels of our America.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Peace on Earth
Sometimes, the picture says it all....
Happy holidays, everyone.
.
.
photo credit: FL Morris, Star-Bulletin
Saturday, December 20, 2008
How Did We Get Here?
.
In black and white on the printed or online page, that question "How Did We Get Here?", posed by still-President Bush back in September, says volumes about the total disconnect between this President's "deciderating" and his deliberate willful disregard of reality he doesn't want to hear and the consequences of his policies.
Well, reality's here now, and it's a picture right out of the darkest hours of Dickens.
In Fargo-Moorhead, at the height of the blizzard last night, parents lined up outside in the cold and snow for as much as eight hours so that they could get toys for their kids in the Toys for Tots program. [link pending availability]
There's more, lots more, if you'll step away from the shopping and unlike the woman on tonight's NBC Nightly News, not extol the virtues of how much more you can buy for the same dollars when things are 50, 60, 70% off. But rather, how much more you can do with your dollars and cents this year.
Reality's here now, and we'll all need to pitch in and open our eyes and our ears and our hearts. And yes, our strong stomachs, for the weeks and months ahead will be daunting. But we don't need to wait for January 20. Or New Year's Day.
We don't need to wait at all. Just remember your favorite charities extra generously this holiday season. Even if it means deciding to forego gifting yourselves. Hey, it's easy. Go ahead. Give it a try.
And in these cold, dark, stormy days of December, you'll find a holiday glow inside that will carry you through the challenging times to come.
So that next Christmas holiday season, we can look back on that question, "How Did We Get Here?" and be able to say we worked at it, we focused on how we could each own part of the restoration of the best of America, and we made progress.
.
crossposted at firedoglake's Oxdown Gazette
In black and white on the printed or online page, that question "How Did We Get Here?", posed by still-President Bush back in September, says volumes about the total disconnect between this President's "deciderating" and his deliberate willful disregard of reality he doesn't want to hear and the consequences of his policies.
Well, reality's here now, and it's a picture right out of the darkest hours of Dickens.
In Fargo-Moorhead, at the height of the blizzard last night, parents lined up outside in the cold and snow for as much as eight hours so that they could get toys for their kids in the Toys for Tots program. [link pending availability]
There's more, lots more, if you'll step away from the shopping and unlike the woman on tonight's NBC Nightly News, not extol the virtues of how much more you can buy for the same dollars when things are 50, 60, 70% off. But rather, how much more you can do with your dollars and cents this year.
Reality's here now, and we'll all need to pitch in and open our eyes and our ears and our hearts. And yes, our strong stomachs, for the weeks and months ahead will be daunting. But we don't need to wait for January 20. Or New Year's Day.
We don't need to wait at all. Just remember your favorite charities extra generously this holiday season. Even if it means deciding to forego gifting yourselves. Hey, it's easy. Go ahead. Give it a try.
And in these cold, dark, stormy days of December, you'll find a holiday glow inside that will carry you through the challenging times to come.
So that next Christmas holiday season, we can look back on that question, "How Did We Get Here?" and be able to say we worked at it, we focused on how we could each own part of the restoration of the best of America, and we made progress.
.
crossposted at firedoglake's Oxdown Gazette
Thursday, December 4, 2008
On Hiatus
.
We're takin' a little break from blogging in Prairie Country. Stepping out into the Real World. You know, the place that's there when you step away from the keyboard.
A Real World where amid all the dire news—pick yer poison yerself, I'm not linking to any of it right now, not even the shameful KBR who should all get lumps of coal in their stockings...in their hometown hoosegows—still there are moments of warmth and hope.
Where college kids freeze their buns off even with their snowmobile suits collecting supplies and clothing for the local women's shelter in single-digit temperatures in the grocery store parking lot today.
Where the bell ringer inside said grocery store is an old friend from long ago. And the chatting is cheery while tucking money into the slot.
And a bag-full of pet food and medicine goes into the bin at the local Petco—a bin already brimming.
And despite the raw winds of the Real World, smiles build. Go ahead, go out there with a giving heart and give it a try. I guarantee you'll smile, too.
.
We're takin' a little break from blogging in Prairie Country. Stepping out into the Real World. You know, the place that's there when you step away from the keyboard.
A Real World where amid all the dire news—pick yer poison yerself, I'm not linking to any of it right now, not even the shameful KBR who should all get lumps of coal in their stockings...in their hometown hoosegows—still there are moments of warmth and hope.
Where college kids freeze their buns off even with their snowmobile suits collecting supplies and clothing for the local women's shelter in single-digit temperatures in the grocery store parking lot today.
Where the bell ringer inside said grocery store is an old friend from long ago. And the chatting is cheery while tucking money into the slot.
And a bag-full of pet food and medicine goes into the bin at the local Petco—a bin already brimming.
And despite the raw winds of the Real World, smiles build. Go ahead, go out there with a giving heart and give it a try. I guarantee you'll smile, too.
.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Salute to the Kids
.
Not sitting on their duffs playing videogames, these.
Fago-Moorhead area students from kindergarten through high school participated in the second annual Fill the Dome food drive, gathering canned goods and cash to benefit the food pantry which serves 240 locations across North Dakota and northern Minnesota.
The kids raised over $57,000 in cash and enough food to spread across the entire floor of the Fargodome.
Good on ya, kids!
The holiday season is just getting underway, the need will go on long after the turkey bones and even New Year's glitter becomes tomorrow's trash.
Give a thought today to what a difference a determined group of people can make, what a difference one person can make. And then put it into play....
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
.
(crossposted at firedoglake's Oxdown Gazette)
Not sitting on their duffs playing videogames, these.
Fago-Moorhead area students from kindergarten through high school participated in the second annual Fill the Dome food drive, gathering canned goods and cash to benefit the food pantry which serves 240 locations across North Dakota and northern Minnesota.
The kids raised over $57,000 in cash and enough food to spread across the entire floor of the Fargodome.
Good on ya, kids!
The holiday season is just getting underway, the need will go on long after the turkey bones and even New Year's glitter becomes tomorrow's trash.
Give a thought today to what a difference a determined group of people can make, what a difference one person can make. And then put it into play....
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
.
(crossposted at firedoglake's Oxdown Gazette)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Never Forget....
.
Amid all the pomp and fluffery of the changing of administrations post-Election Day and the all-important conversation of whether or not Sarah Palin's underwear will be returned to the RNC, there is a sobering fact this day:
We are adding a fresh wave of soldiers and Navy and Marines and National Guard to those we'll owe a debt we can never repay.
On this first Veterans Day of the Obama Era, a look back at where we have been. And a question still unanswered: How Many More Years?
.
Amid all the pomp and fluffery of the changing of administrations post-Election Day and the all-important conversation of whether or not Sarah Palin's underwear will be returned to the RNC, there is a sobering fact this day:
We are adding a fresh wave of soldiers and Navy and Marines and National Guard to those we'll owe a debt we can never repay.
On this first Veterans Day of the Obama Era, a look back at where we have been. And a question still unanswered: How Many More Years?
.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Constitution Day
.
Well, Happy Constitution Day. Sept. 17, 1787.
Yessiree, Bob, there's liable to be much thumpin' of chests and wavin' of flags and flashin' of lapel pins and talk of "patriotism" and....
hey, what's that? Over there in the corner. Crumpled up behind the curtain. Rethug boot prints all over it.
Oh, yeah, it's just a goddamn ol' piece of paper.
.
Vote.
.
Well, Happy Constitution Day. Sept. 17, 1787.
Yessiree, Bob, there's liable to be much thumpin' of chests and wavin' of flags and flashin' of lapel pins and talk of "patriotism" and....
hey, what's that? Over there in the corner. Crumpled up behind the curtain. Rethug boot prints all over it.
Oh, yeah, it's just a goddamn ol' piece of paper.
.
Vote.
.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
For Your 4th
.
Whatever you have on tap for this holiday weekend, take a little time out to give thought to what you can do to truly "support the troops" who don't have a choice between the usual holiday at the resort, or the beach, or the national park, or even "staycation."
Men and women are putting their lives on the line each and every day for us...in Iraq and Afghanistan...on the fire line in Big Sur...at home, ready if the call for first responders goes out.
We talk a lot here and throughout the blogosphere, and one of the things we've talked a lot about is Congress and oversight. Why, we ask, haven't the now in control Democrats put the brakes on the runaway freight train about to careen off the side of the mountaintop that is the Bush Administration?
We talk a lot...but what are we doing? How many have sought out our Senators or Congressperson to say, listen to US. Listen to America. Don't listen and vote for the special interests on K Street, like the telco's who just had their way with the House of Representatives while doling out a paltry few thousands of campaign dollars.
I'm thinking that works because the Congresscritters are tellin' themselves, if I don't vote AT&T's way, then maybe Corp X, Y and Z would see that they might not get their "money's worth" and turn off the campaign contribution spigot, too.
A screwed-up system.
On the Imus Show this week, Tom Friedman, the man who put the "FU" in friedman unit, opined, as though by a timely cosmic revelation, we've got to fix our democracy here, we've got to fix our country.*
Well no shit, Sherlock.
Welcome to reality, pal. While you've been busy furthering the friedman unit, the rest of us out here in the real world have been dealing with the consequences of the Village's blithe bolstering of the gut of Bush. And it ain't pretty. So put down that plate of cocktail wienies, step away from the RNC blast o'the hour, let go of the self-indulgent claptrap, grab your media-darling cronies, and say, hey, maybe it's about time we stopped treating this as some kind of theatre of the absurd, pushing people around like pawns—a few thousand layoffs here, a few thousand layoffs there, a few hundred thousand casualties over there, pretty soon it adds up to real yadda, yadda.
Because oversight belongs to all of us. Congress. The media. And you. And me.
So this Fourth of July, between the wienies and the fireworks, ask yourself...what am I putting on the line?
.
. Need a jump start? Christy's got some great ideas and tools over at firedoglake.
* my paraphrase, because WABC hasn't put the interview up on their website for linkage and exactitude as of this writing...not that that ever stopped the BBQ Media from runaway adoration of St. Mc and distortion of whatever they feel like distorting on any given day.
Whatever you have on tap for this holiday weekend, take a little time out to give thought to what you can do to truly "support the troops" who don't have a choice between the usual holiday at the resort, or the beach, or the national park, or even "staycation."
Men and women are putting their lives on the line each and every day for us...in Iraq and Afghanistan...on the fire line in Big Sur...at home, ready if the call for first responders goes out.
We talk a lot here and throughout the blogosphere, and one of the things we've talked a lot about is Congress and oversight. Why, we ask, haven't the now in control Democrats put the brakes on the runaway freight train about to careen off the side of the mountaintop that is the Bush Administration?
We talk a lot...but what are we doing? How many have sought out our Senators or Congressperson to say, listen to US. Listen to America. Don't listen and vote for the special interests on K Street, like the telco's who just had their way with the House of Representatives while doling out a paltry few thousands of campaign dollars.
I'm thinking that works because the Congresscritters are tellin' themselves, if I don't vote AT&T's way, then maybe Corp X, Y and Z would see that they might not get their "money's worth" and turn off the campaign contribution spigot, too.
A screwed-up system.
On the Imus Show this week, Tom Friedman, the man who put the "FU" in friedman unit, opined, as though by a timely cosmic revelation, we've got to fix our democracy here, we've got to fix our country.*
Well no shit, Sherlock.
Welcome to reality, pal. While you've been busy furthering the friedman unit, the rest of us out here in the real world have been dealing with the consequences of the Village's blithe bolstering of the gut of Bush. And it ain't pretty. So put down that plate of cocktail wienies, step away from the RNC blast o'the hour, let go of the self-indulgent claptrap, grab your media-darling cronies, and say, hey, maybe it's about time we stopped treating this as some kind of theatre of the absurd, pushing people around like pawns—a few thousand layoffs here, a few thousand layoffs there, a few hundred thousand casualties over there, pretty soon it adds up to real yadda, yadda.
Because oversight belongs to all of us. Congress. The media. And you. And me.
So this Fourth of July, between the wienies and the fireworks, ask yourself...what am I putting on the line?
.
. Need a jump start? Christy's got some great ideas and tools over at firedoglake.
* my paraphrase, because WABC hasn't put the interview up on their website for linkage and exactitude as of this writing...not that that ever stopped the BBQ Media from runaway adoration of St. Mc and distortion of whatever they feel like distorting on any given day.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Father's Day
.
Father's Day brings both poignance and joy in memory and in the experiences of life. Treasure today the joys...and reach out and hug the dad in your life. Sometimes, he's gone faster than you can imagine.
The airwaves this weekend are chockfull of remembrances for a man among the best known dads of our times, whose ebullient love of his own father and his son inspired the writing of two books. Tim Russert is being remembered by his colleagues for his professional achievements and acclaim.
Not knowing him personally, I find the greatest honor in his fatherhood. Telling his son every day, you are loved. You are loved, but not entitled.
As a child, as a parent, I find great wisdom and parenting in those simple words.
Remembering this day, Clarence and Lyle.
Father's Day brings both poignance and joy in memory and in the experiences of life. Treasure today the joys...and reach out and hug the dad in your life. Sometimes, he's gone faster than you can imagine.
The airwaves this weekend are chockfull of remembrances for a man among the best known dads of our times, whose ebullient love of his own father and his son inspired the writing of two books. Tim Russert is being remembered by his colleagues for his professional achievements and acclaim.
Not knowing him personally, I find the greatest honor in his fatherhood. Telling his son every day, you are loved. You are loved, but not entitled.
As a child, as a parent, I find great wisdom and parenting in those simple words.
Remembering this day, Clarence and Lyle.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
We Honor
On this Weekend of Memorial, we honor those who have served and fallen in defense of liberty and justice for all.
From the founding of this nation by those brash young upstarts, our founding fathers and mothers and their families who sacrificed much, we remember the times of honor of this nation…and the not-honorable times, that leave a Trail of Tears which also must never be forgotten. Our own fathers and mothers served, too—in the War to End All Wars and the Greatest Generation and the bitter cold of
We honor their legacy of service in defense of this nation.
Our sons and daughters serve today, too many fallen, too many maimed, too many home in body but not in spirit. We watch
The nation, too, is in sore need of healing right now.
This weekend, as more Americans choose what CNN has dubbed “staycations” instead of “vacations,” we are mind-full of the deep debt we all owe those who put life and limb on the line in service of this nation’s defense and their families.
We honor the Senators who put forth the 21st Century G.I. Bill, a modest “thank you” for those who give so much.
We reject and shun the mindset that says “we don’t need to do anything more” whether it comes to that education bill or payroll or… the mindset that says we must take great pallets of dollars and drop them in the pockets of Iraqis who turn around and turn those dollars into weapons to use against us. We reject those leaders who still stubbornly hold to their vote in support of this Iraq War.
We have squandered much in lives and national treasure on this current war. This weekend, take time to remember the honorable service of our troops, and honor them not just in words, but in deeds. Bring them home…alive and whole…now.
****
Call this a modest proposal in support of our troops and the security of the nation: Slow Down this Summer. Drive under 60. Go ahead, it won’t hurt you. After all, you’re cutting down your distance travel, so driving under 60 won’t take longer than you were willing to spend going farther away.
Since nobody else seems able…or lacks the will to cut the high cost of oil lest oil barons and sheikhs have to give up their gold-plated palaces, you be the change. It doesn’t have to be just politics, you know. We can start from the bottom up and accomplish honorable things.
Slow Down this Summer…the ‘roots way to support the troops…and stick it to the Greedy Oil Pushers.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
.
For every Mom, young and old, of families large and small, of every nationality and ethnicity and color and combination, may your Mother's Day be like every other day...days of peace and joys bold and gentle. Every day days of serenity and song and sunshine.
Happy Mother's Day.
For every Mom, young and old, of families large and small, of every nationality and ethnicity and color and combination, may your Mother's Day be like every other day...days of peace and joys bold and gentle. Every day days of serenity and song and sunshine.
Happy Mother's Day.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy V Day
Yep, it's Valentine's Day. We won't tell you to take your sweetheart to dinner or buy a batch o'flowers or candy today or even that heart-shaped pizza from Green Mill. Nope.
Take your sweetheart by the hand and take a walk. February is National Heart Health Month. Wear red if you want to, but keep your heart pumpin' healthy and get a move on. And bring the couch potato kids along with you.
More food for thought in the works today.
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