Grateful Dead

....because, even after being a member for seventeen years, navigating this site still baffles me at times. Thank God Mary posted first.
Doing positive things. Mrs Vguy has been making sandwiches and feeds the homeless on Sundays at the not-so-good parts of Vegas the past few months.
If I see someone selling flowers on the corner, I buy them. Who doesn't like flowers?
We fit that into our budget and try and pay it forward. Karma is real in my opinion.
Finally getting a membership at Costco helps. Yeah. I know. Better late than never.

Thanks Mary! I'm so glad we have this space now.
A bit about me. My mother started a music education nonprofit in the 1970s, after they cut the music programs in our local schools. I helped out sometimes. I followed her example when I retired. I started a nonprofit to provide books to the prisons and retirement homes many years ago. Zero budget. Mostly self funded with some online sales of donated items. Admittedly, I loved driving around and meeting so many good people. It was all about road trips, new lunch places, and mileage deductions. And I really enjoyed buying copies of "El Hobbit" and some self help books in Spanish. I even found a good holistic chiropractor after lifting all those heavy boxes. I'm thankful the prisons have ebooks now. I finally said goodbye to my chiropractor. My latest project is about partnering with the local therapy pet programs on behalf of my parents retirement community. But, this is not about tooting my own horn. I'm just sharing what I've learned. Because I think many others are capable of the same things.

MY MESSAGE: Anyone can start and run a Non profit/Not for Profit/501c3. ANYONE. Even someone who's often a bit scattered at times. Trust me on this. Anyone. A nice lawyer can usually set it up for about 2k, or maybe free. If it has under 50k in actual revenue, etc. the IRS form only takes about 5 minutes. Or, just find a nice accountant if needed. And you can even help local small charitable projects, and as a partner, even make those donations tax deductible. But please, talk to an expert first. YMMV. It's a lot easier to just volunteer somewhere, admittedly. Or just share your wonderful skills, like many of our local businesses, restaurants, lawyers & accountants often did for us.

I am now trying to picture therapy bunnies, on leashes, visiting my parents' retirement home. Yes, it's a thing. And, I just can't stop smiling when I think about it.

I've always felt ineffectual in the face of world and national problems. But I do believe we can change the world by the way we behave and act in our own limited spheres. To each according to his/her ability.

This is partly why I feel constant exposure to world problems that we can do nothing about can be so debilitating.
Although even there, having spent time with with people more genned up on climate change than myself, small steps can make a big difference if enough people take them. Rome wasn't burned in a day.

Arrows of neon and flashing marquees out on Main Street
Chicago, New York, Detroit and it's all on the same street
Your typical city involved in a typical daydream
Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings
Dallas, got a soft machine
Houston, too close to New Orleans
New York got the ways and means
But just won't let you be
Most of the cats that you meet on the streets speak of true love
Most of the time they're sittin' and cryin' at home
One of these days they know they gotta get goin'
Out of the door and down to the street all alone...

Just watched the Devo documentary on Netflix and their theory of Devolution and society is interesting for so many reasons. it has the famous Reagan “make America great again” clip that shows how deep this mire really is and how Progressive/prophetic Devo really was/is going back to their roots in the Kent State killings

Ever since I left the cave, and got a good look around I returned to alert my fellow's of what I had seen! Still going even with being faced with mountains of ignorance!

The best thing we can do is to continue to support and inspire. Whenever I see a fatalist post that says "I give up" I kinda worry that others will follow. But we could all use a good digital detox. And the results of good deeds can take a long time, so its hard to see.

I'm happy to just know I changed a few lives signicantly, and maybe a few marginally. Think global, act local. Who knows which small act of kindness can transform life of a stranger? Or even an acquaintance. At a college reunion, a casual friend said that I inspired him to pursue a career in psychology. "Are you sure it was me?" I said. He quoted something that I would have said after a few bongs. "Yep, that checks", I replied. I dont remember it though Those happy surprises in life make it all worthwhile, dont they? I'm pretty sure that happens to all of us. Call it a cosmic coincidence. Life is kind of about throwing seeds everywhere, and seeing what comes up. Even if you didnt remember dropping any seeds. Wake of the Flood has some of those great themes too. Let it Grow....

Sounds cheesy, but I am quite proud of my volunteer efforts. I have been doing volunteer work for a local extreme whitewater race for 26 years now. It's the oldest continuously run extreme whitewater race in the country. Each year I haul about six cases of beer, 42 lbs of ice and enough coolers to keep everything cold 3 miles up a somewhat remote wilderness canyon. The concept is to have enough cold beer at the finish line so each racer gets at least one ice-cold beer. It's all uphill to get there and the trail is no picnic, full of dead spots, swampy parts, creek crossings, insects, snakes, etc. It takes many trips in the peak of summer.

Cheesy yes, but the people love it.. It's become a big part of the event and kicks off the afterparty which picks up after the awards ceremony in town.

True story, we started with cheap, domestic beer. About 5 or 6 years ago I decided to up the game and added a single 12 pack of IPA figuring the winners get some good beer, the rest get PBR and Yingling. I got most of this up the canyon the day before the race, ice and coolers the next morning. When I arrived in the morning something had found my hiding place, trash was scattered and the piles were disturbed. Upon further inspection, the trash was mostly the torn up paper cardboard case containers and just a few semi-shredded beer cans. Whatever it was had grabbed just the IPA's but left the domestic lagers alone. They did not open them by the pull tab, instead the ripped off the tops with their claws. We have black bear here, I'm quite sure that is what got them. So now we know Black Bears prefer good IPAs over domestic swill. Bears clearly have a refined palate and love their IPAs. Perhaps I when I leave this world I will be reincarnated as a jolly, rotund black bear.

A couple years ago we upgraded and got rid of the domestic swill alltogether. Progress.. (bet there's a few Grateful Bears that enjoy the race almost as much as we do)

It's simple & easy to change our political situation:
vote BLUE straight down the ticket!!

Been helping our elderly neighbor since even before her husband died a few years ago as he was unable to do upkeep and yard work anymore. I know she can afford to hire the work out, and even has family nearby, but it's not about that. It's about paying it forward. I do it because the guy across the street from my Mom used to do her snow shoveling for her unasked for the last few years of her life. Since we were 200 miles away we used to get him somewhat lavish X-mas gifts in somewhat of a payment which he always said we didn't need to do. Once my sister moved in with Mom my nephew took over the chores, bless his heart. Similarly the widow next door seems to think she has to buy us fruit or gift cards which is a little awkward since I don't have the heart to tell her we don't really like Applebee's, lol. But it still feels good to do something good!
Many moons ago in Ft. Collins, CO we got out once a year to harvest unwanted fruit in elderly people's yards that would go to food banks. We had heard it was an organized thing so we just picked some folks near our home and it turned into some nice friendships. Ended up doing a lot of fall yard work too for them as that need was obvious. Got some lovely plums and some heritage variety apples every year to make a pie with as a bonus.
Just do it! Cheers

Three or four times a year, me and some of my Quaker friends hold Peace Vigils in our local town. We stand in a clump a pedestrian area, so we don't stop traffic, and stand in total silence for an hour. Some of us are holding banners, and there are a few posters dotted about. A few of us stand to one side and if anyone wants to talk about...anything at all...we are available.
It's fascinating watching passers by, at first lost in their own worlds, then gradually becoming aware that something different is happening. Occasionally, after realising what we are doing, strangers come and stand with us for minute or so - which I find strangely moving.
I like the fact that these vigils, as we call them, are silent. We are not shouting at anybody or telling them what to do. People are free to engage or not as they see fit. We are not getting in anyone's way either. Just there, standing to one side, promoting peace.

All the others in the vigil seem to be focussed on the Middle East when we stand there, but I like to think I am standing for peace in a general sense. A silent protest against all forms of violence. All wars.
Also all instances of violence that occur in our communities. Inevitably, some of the people passing will be perpetrators or victims of violence, and will be experiencing it later the same day. I like to think that in seeing us, some of them may start to wonder if there is another way of doing things. That there are people out there who do not act violently and who might be able to help them, if they are caught in that lifestyle themselves.

A very welcome anecdote

....scientists in Japan developed plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours.
We're painting walls.

Great discovery. Geobachter is also cool too. Bacteria that eats oil spills. And it's been around for almost 30 years. And who knows what's next?

I was fortunate enough to attend a Quaker elementary school, with people of many faiths. For the record, my parents were also conservatives at the time, so it was all about a good education. Learning about social justice and tolerance was just a bonus. I just wish everyone had the same opportunities I had, but we know it's not that simple.

We had a half hour Quaker meeting each week. Students and teachers spoke a few times, as we sat mostly in silent contemplation. But we mostly stared at the sun streaming through the old leaded glass windows, and gave thanks for our beautiful world. It's not as profound as one may think. The playground was out there too.

Those red-hatted folks were once kids too. They may have loved pop rocks, and maybe even, pet rocks. Definitely puppies. Whatever happened along the way is anyone's guess. But perhaps some of them are not beyond redemption.

Choose something that keeps that door open. The hard conversations may need to wait, no matter how much we just wanna scream sometimes. I went bowling for charity recently. My friend organized a bowling fundraiser, for Cystic Fibrosis, and we paid in advance. Random strangers, families, and Sunday beer enthusiasts donated as we consumed nachos. A few may have even voted for the other guy. As for me, I did my best to change the world, one gutter ball at a time. I even won a prize, for losing, badly.

And now, Hurricane season is coming. Those cuts really scare me. But, I know that neighbors will be helping neighbors when the floodwaters recede, politics aside. The question is how to make this a regular thing. The concepts behind yesterday's Victory gardens and personal sacrifice seems a bit quaint and unattainable right now. Hardship can teach people to be more compassionate. Hardship can also make people selfish.

Some people stole those ration cards. But many others freely shared what little they had. Our fight isn't just against the redhat agenda. It's really against those nasty parts of human nature we all must overcome. Or the parts that make us want to bury our heads in the sand. This time around, much of the blame lies with those moderates or non voters who stayed home on election day. They likely wont make that mistake again. Let's focus on them.

Kindness is cool. Everyone knows it, deep down, even if they havent chased a butterfly since they were young. And nobody hates puppies. We just need to find our collective voice, and a message that resonates. And soon.

I'm glad this thread exists. I'm tired of so much negativity, even though I've contributed to it many times. And despite what some of my previous posts in That Other Thread might lead you to think, I believe most people are kind and good, despite what you see in social media and on the news

For example: whenever I fly (we're talking about in an airplane here) I'm always amazed at how nice everyone is. If I look at social media, I'll see dozens and dozens of clips of people being rude, getting in arguments, even fighting on planes. I read news reports of people being arrested. And yet whenever I fly, all I see is people who help the old and disabled, people helping others with their baggage, people helping to calm someone else's crying baby or cranky toddler. All I hear is "you first, no after you." I don't usually fly that often, but this summer I got on 9 different planes. Summer before last I think it was 11. Every one of those flights was full with probably 200+ passengers, so we're talking about roughly 4,000-5,000 people. And nobody acted like an asshole.

I remember thinking the same thing during the pandemic. I'd go online and see videos of people pitching a fit about mask requirements and vaccines, people getting in fights over toilet paper, etc. And throughout that whole period, out of the dozens and dozens of times I went out to get supplies or get vaxxed or whatever, I only ever saw one (1) guy complain. One, out of probably thousands. And yet if you looked at certain media, you'd think the whole country was at each other's throats.

I read polls that show, despite what read about a "divided nation," there's actually a lot of agreement, even about really difficult issues. Strong majorities (we're talking roughly 60-80%, depending on the details) want to see stricter gun laws, including background checks, licensing requirements, and bans on assault weapons. Abortion? About two-thirds of Americans think it should be legal in virtually all circumstances. Climate change? About two thirds want the government to do more.

And yet, if you read the news or subscribe to certain podcasts, you would think we're on the verge of civil war, largely over differences on these very issues.

I think that what's going on is that we're in an era where anger sells. It gets you likes and clicks. And, sadly, it gets you votes. But this will pass. It has to. Because anger and hate is just a dead end. It won't solve any problems. At some point we will start talking to each other again, and realize we want the same things, and figuring out how to make a better world.

I hope so anyway.

We are gathering our items for donation for our annual trek to a local animal shelter's thrift shop in nearby Ridgway, CO. Second Chance animal shelter is a highly rated shelter and entirely funded by donations and the thrift shop, and last year they added an art gallery to fund the shelter. Apparently lots of rich folks have donated art and local artists contribute as well. Ridgway is in the vicinity of Telluride and I have seen some killer deals on used ski gear there too so shopping is definitely on the agenda. We have adopted two of our kitties from them. They also have reduced fee clinics 4 times a year for folks who need it.

Of course there are still trips locally to the Salvation Army and Heirlooms For Hospice. S.A. usually gets the clothing and Hospice got the big haul of much more valuable household goods when my family split up Mom & Dad's belongings a few years back as Dad had needed hospice care when he passed.

We have never had a yard sale. It's just easier and kinder to "just pass it on" as Phil & Hunter said.
Cheers

P.S. The wife's craft group makes items for all kinds of charities and they did a huge batch of pet beds recently for both of the shelters in our area. We delivered 36 to Second Chance.

however, I'm glad vet care can be given to pets of the unhoused. I see unhoused folk with pets and wonder about that.

I get to promote positive vibrations daily.

New school year starts tomorrow; welcome back, chillun!

🐶🐱

This has nothing to do with me, but I have been very impressed by the actions of Esther Ghey over the last two years. Her 16 year old daughter, Brianna, was murdered by two other 16 year olds in 2023. A key feature in the planning of this murder was the use of mobile phones.

Since then, Esther has been campaigning to get mobile phones banned from schools, and has also promoted mindfulness as a way of improving mental health. Most family members, who experience a murder of one of their own are normally suffused by anger, and a desire to inflict as much pain as possible on the perpetrators. While this is understandable, it is very heartening to witness her approach. I don't know how far she will get, but she has been meeting with key politicians, including the prime minister.

Hats off to teachers everywhere. I couldn't do it !

Daily acts of personal courtesy are everywhere. I think people started taking the extra effort during the pandemic , thinking "I don't want to be seen as one of those angry people" And, kindness is in our nature. I've been in a number of Mexican standoffs lately when holding the doors at Wawa too. We both want to do it. I hold the first set of doors, they hold the second set coming the opposite way. Neither of us will budge. The trick is getting the other person to accept your little kindness. Admittedly, I may also wait a bit longer for people who look different from me. Too much? Maybe. It reminds me of a funny article I saw many years ago.

It was an article in Onion from 2012, citing a black man's experience after Obama's election. "Everywhere I go, white people are smiling at me. And whenever I visit a convenience store, guys are constantly giving me high 5s and fist bumps. It's exhausting!" It feels good to laugh while addressing a somewhat delicate point in a healthy way.

I'm still gonna smile, a lot, when that day comes again. But we can skip the fist bumps.
As anyone knows when asking someone if they're pregnant, that awkward silence can be both humbling and funny. It's a bit like the Kennedy assassination. Everybody remembers where they were when it happened. And we can still laugh at ourselves later, never to make that mistake again hopefully.

....are a better deal than fast food. And tastes better too.
Look. I'll take what I can get lol.

Being a teacher is a trip

You just go with the flow

.....applies here?

Something like Farm Aid is quaint and actually a positive thing.

We don't have time for positivity

But to those who produced and performed at Farm Aid...

Thank you

....the Marlins are out. My cousin is a huge Mets fan.
The next couple games gonna be fun.

Subliminally influenced by the website? (haha)
Anyway:
.
Blue America plus Red America = PURPLE America > the real heart/center of the country and, perhaps, the color all (dissenters) could wear (soon) to signify their desire to unite the country around shared civic values - and in rejection of the current set of "values" being displayed by "leadership".
.
Fire up the purple t-shirts, flags, hats, and scarves - I'll go there > Make America Grape Again

nice

Make America Grape Again

very, very nice

I'll wear my Anthem of the Sun shirt Saturday 10/18 (purple shirt)

S-T-B tried to pm but didn’t work?
Love it: make meriKa Grape!
Enough crazy on both sides, the groove lies down the middle!

Sent you one back
.
Thanks!