I have no idea where the time has gone since my last post. I could blame it on the October Nor'easter that left us without power for close to 3 days. In fact, I could write about it and tell you how creative I was in cooking with only my gas stove and bottled water; but, it would only be a few lines. After making roast beef sandwiches for lunch and nachos for dinner that first day, I realized that while I could still cook, I couldn't clean anything up. Having no water is more challenging than having no electricity. You really understand just how much water you go through doing menial tasks like washing dishes, brushing your teeth, flushing a toilet...it's a new appreciation for resources you tend to take for granted. And not knowing how long we'd be without water, I decided not to waste it on washing out pans. So fortunately, we were able to eat at restaurants. I have no idea how the pioneers managed it...candles for light, fire for warmth and cooking, outhouses for personal needs...such hardships and yet, they survived. We went two and a half days without electricity and running water and our biggest complaint was that all of our devices were in desperate need of charging! I think we all lost some serious IQ points because we couldn't run to the internet to google the info that we either didn't know or had momentarily escaped our minds but was going to drive us nuts until we remembered it. My kids resorted to finding a book to read as "something to do", an activity that lasted about 15 minutes. Sure the pioneers survived...they weren't going without in their eyes. Today, however, we rely on so many conveniences that to go without is borderline barbaric, even for a few days. And yet, there are many places in the world...too many for this day and age...places even here in America where these conveniences are nonexistent. Places without running water or clean, drinkable water...children without coats or hats...their luxuries aren't found in a glass front store with a genius bar or a brightly lit showroom. They are actually found in the generosity of those who dedicate their time to making a difference, whether it's organizing the charities or donating to them. This holiday season, as the notion of giving is present all around us, it's important to not only count our own blessings; but, also give someone else a blessing to count. It doesn't take much to help make that difference. Local food and clothing drives are everywhere this time of year. It's a take on that pioneer spirit we've all heard about. It's how they survived and it's just as important to our survival today.
"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." ~ Mother Teresa
Rather than include a recipe in this blog, I'd like to feature a few charities to consider. Below are links to organizations dedicated to making a difference:
www.water.org (clean water)
www.donate.goodwill.org (accepts most household and clothing items)
www.ampleharvest.org (involved in food pantries nationwide)
www.operationsmile.org (giving kids with cleft lip and palette issues a reason to smile)
www.toysfortotsliteracy.org (accepted at UPS stores and Mailboxes, Etc stores...great for recycling books your child has outgrown)
Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you find it so easy to count your blessings this year, that someone has to say, "Ok, ok...we get it...can we eat now???"
