An Invitation...

Have been receiving many invitation's through various sources, not uncommon this time of the year. The political ones have stopped. There are many more opportunities to give to favorite charities, prayer meetings, classes, committees, lunches with friends, birthday parties, and Thanksgiving and Christmas parties .

That equates to, the invitation to give. Was it always this crazy, or am I suddenly painfully aware of the cost of living these days in America.

We went shopping for groceries, all of four bags, no meat, actually not much at all, but a smacking $100.00 worth. We saved $20. they said at the register. What did we buy? I still don't know. I recall, when I first set-up housekeeping it cost me $20. a week, including a Sunday roast and beer.

Everyone is saying that this is just the beginning and we are going to be taxed to death. People that work should be able to afford to eat, and not pay $4. a pound for tomatoes. (Not even fresh from the garden.) Maybe, we'll need to go back to raising chickens in our back yard, if it frugal to do so.

Instead of dreaming of a white Christmas, I think we should be dreaming of the garden we will need to survive on next year.
Just give me Home Depot cards for presents to buy dirt, fertilizer, and Pete moss. A gift certificate at Morse Farm Stand would be nice for the plants. Then, it would be nice to encase the whole garden in a fence, so that the critter's wouldn't eat it before we do.

When I was younger, I read a book about the Chinese and how they almost starved one winter, living on tea. Makes me grateful for the wonderful meals we eat in this country. God has been good to us, and so remember that no matter what else comes along this week. Remember also that poverty is a state of mind. People can have everything and it still isn't enough, to satisfy the greedy person. I guess it's cut back and keep busy.

So here are the golden rules: First be thankful, secondly, share what you have with another person, no matter how little. Thirdly, always remember that there is someone out there much worse off than you are, so please do not take more than you need. And, pass the green stuffing, please. Just a family joke!

I remember one year, a snow storm was upon us here in New England on Thanksgiving Day. People could not reach their destination, (family and friends). As a matter of fact, most people couldn't even get up Lebanon Hill. It was reported the next day in the newspaper, that as a result, where those travellers stopped is where they hung their hat. Thanksgiving was a little unusual that year, but happily they all enjoyed the feast and new found friends to boot. People counted on other neighbors to feed their family, so it all worked out.

Keep the home fires burning, and who knows what may endeavour your way this year. And in the words of Tiny Tim, "God Bless Us, Everyone."