Blanket of White

We rose to a blanket of white. Forecasters had estimated a total of just over a half inch for our area; when we sat down to pancake, it was obvious there was nearly a 2” frosted blanket on the ground. The excess was a pleasant and relaxing start to the weekend. Our plans were adjusted so we could enjoy the snow.

A local women’s service organization is in the midst of their annual linen drive. We’d brought home a box of donated king-size sheets that had minor tears in each. I asked my two teens if they’d want to learn to use the serger and practice on the sewing machine to help make bedding for the Mission and shelters. Imagine the great feeling when both dedicated hours to help make six twin flat sheets and a dozen pillowcases today!

The time together led to discussions about boring white sheets, families without homes, what a class had discussed about women’s rights in Asian countries, and odd things, like why one of the dogs kept sitting on the power foot of the serger. (‘He was trying to sew but forgot the fabric.’)

Besides making the task more interesting and getting two helpers (the basics), today was priceless in the way we worked as a focused team. They will remember working on the project for ages. They improved a skill.

While working I remembered the lesson of teaching a man to fish and how he could then provide for many. It made me think of what the Business Partner and Community Supporter program does: the community supports the school/students by donating supplies or supporting a program (basics) but it teaches a life lesson – we, the adults and businesses around you support you and want you to succeed!

The white blanket over the surface today had a purpose. Our pace changed and the focus of the day was helping our community.


WISH LIST: The Business Partner and Community Supporter program has a wish list submitted by administrators and teachers in USD#450. The list isn’t posted as in changes as donations are made and new items appear. Whether you help provide broken machines the 7th graders use learning about simple machines, axles, pulleys, and wedges; your organization provides funding for special needs curriculum; or your business can help with bricks and mortar efforts, every part of the puzzle, each individual has something that will help our students in their educational efforts. Thanks for being there for them!

Go round in circles

“…I've got a song, I ain't got no melody
I' ma gonna sing it to my friends

Will it go round in circles
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky …”~ Billy Preston

I visited s Soroptimist meeting tonight. A friend had invited me a couple of months ago, but this was the first night the scheduling ‘fit.’

When I was invited they didn’t know I’d received financial assistance from another chapter over 30 years ago that helped me pay for college textbooks. What I didn’t know ahead of time was tonight they were announcing this year’s local recipient of the same assistance. They also discovered that another applicant for the reward had a letter of recommendation from a local professor who’d also been helped by the organization.

I’m amazed where we find those circles. The middle school teachers ‘wished’ for calculators and two donors stepped forward. Those calculators will not only help the 50+ students that use them this semester, that will ripple out as those students grow up and are active in our community. Someone helped them, gave them the right tools and they in turn, will have math skills and life skills to help someone else!

The circles get bigger, more entwined. I’m not an engineer, but I see strength in how those circles continue to reach out and support other women in our community. And that DOES fill my heart with a song that has no melody. That’s why I sung it for you, my friends!