The Outside World

Philanthropy Thursday

September 27, 2007

I’m babbling over here again; something about moving. . .

———————————————————
Also, this is my first “Philanthropy Thursday!” This mama and this one inspired me to join in on the fun, although I think they’ve bumped up their philanthropy to every Thursday. I’m sticking with my original promise of the last Thursday of the month, which doesn’t make me feel very philanthropic, but, hey, I know my limits (and, ladeez, can we get a button for this to put on our blogs? who is it that makes all those neat buttons?).

First, I looked up the definition of philanthropy: altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement, usually manifested by donations of money, property, or work to needy persons, by endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.

Then, I thought about what we’ve done lately. In most cases, it has been to write a check or stuff a couple bills into a can outside the supermarket. This summer, the kids and I walked around the neighborhood wearing gardening gloves, carrying garbage bags and collecting trash. We’ve also donated food to the food pantry, and given snacks to our church for social hour.

But, all those things are past-tense, and I wanted to force myself to do something new each month. So, here is what we’ve come up with:

Recently, my cat Zack spent a week at the vet. His life hung in the balance, and the staff there was kind, attentive and reassuring. I will forever be thankful that a 24-hour vet is located a few short miles from my house.

We now go back to the vet every month or so to pick up more medicine or supplies for my two aging cats. When we last went, I noticed they had put out a large plastic toybox in the waiting room. My kids eagerly opened it. . .and saw just a few toys and books scattered along the bottom.

I thought about the kids who come with their parents to the vet and have to sit and wait, sometimes with excitement that Fluffy is getting her first checkup, and sometimes with dread that Smokey may be dying.

So, as my philanthropic deed, I have set aside several of my children’s toys and books to donate to the vet’s office. I hope that they help time pass faster for the waiting children, especially those who are there late at night with frightened parents and pets. Tomorrow we have to pick up more supplies, and we will bring our donations then.

For the Birds

September 23, 2007

Although today is the first day of fall, I know that summer hasn’t given up yet. In fact, we may hit 90 degrees by Wednesday! I’m glad I didn’t pack away the bathing suits and shorts yet.

Instead of a date on the calendar, however, it is the birds that tell me fall is coming.

First, the grackles come. Every year, we get hundreds and hundreds of these loud, black birds all over the tops of the trees bordering our yard. It takes a while to see them, but you can hear them easily. And then, WHOOSH!, they will all take flight and fly to another cluster of trees. For several minutes, those birds who didn’t take off with the big surge will hastily fly after their group.

It amazes me that these birds always pass by our yard, just this one time a year.

The other thing that always marks the end of summer are the Canadian Geese. Honking loudly, they fly by in their familiar “V” formation. We always wave and yell, “Goodbye Summer!” to them as they fly past.