....and it's been a week. First of all, if I had prayers (that's another story), they'd be going out to Sean Taylor's mama. I'm not particularly a Redskins fan, but I'm a mama, and he was only 24.
24!! I know people that age and younger die every day tragically, but my son is 24 (in a couple of weeks) so it hits home. And it just made me so sad to hear what happened to him. He wasn't in the war, where you know you might not make it home alive, or out doing things he shouldn't be doing (although he was no boy scout), he was at home with his girlfriend and baby and if you can't be safe in your home, what are you supposed to do?
On a lighter note (although some would probably beg to differ), the freakin' Patriots are going to give me heart failure. I guess we shouldn't have been spoiled all season by all those one-sided victories because now those close games are just TOO close. I know they have to lose sooner or later, but the more they win, the harder it's going to be to watch them lose. Kind of like the higher you climb, the bigger the splat when you fall.
This week I have thought a lot about getting things done. I'm not talking about finishing projects around the house, I'm talking about finding solutions to unacceptable situations. I really believe that there is no problem that can't be solved if one just has enough determination and resourcefulness. A minor example; the benefit show (which is tonight) for the St. Mary's food pantry. We decided to hold the concert, but then discovered that there were going to be unforseen expenses. It just wouldn't be right to stick the food pantry with the bill, so I have solicited donations to cover the cost of the police officer which we are required to have present (and he ain't cheap) and the bartender. See? Problem, solution. This, as I said, was a minor example. It wasn't a whole lot of money, just a couple hundred dollars. But there are other unacceptable situations I'm (mentally) chewing on. Stay tuned for more on THAT subject.
And so about the benefit; coverage by our local papers has been not spectacular, although at least we got some. Chariho Times put it in last week, which doesn't make any sense to me, but at least it was in there. I have been telling everyone I know, and I probably sound like a broken record, but it's for a good cause. In case you haven't heard about it, it's 5 rock bands playing at the Calabrese Club, 28 Pleasant Street, Westerly RI. The show kicks off at 6:00 with Formal Action, followed by A Paradigm Shift, It Was The Best of Times, Decorus Mens, and finishing up with Verbana Darvell. Price of admission is 3 or more nonperishable food items, baby items (diapers, wipes, etc.) or personal products (toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, etc.) which will all go to the St. Mary's/St. James Community Food Pantry in Charlestown. Cash donations will also be accepted. The bands are all donating their time and talent, and the Calabrese Club is donating the use of their banquet facility (but not their bartender, which is understandable). The only one NOT donating his time is the police officer!!! Hey I tried, but in the words of Mick Jagger, you can't always get what you want.
We got another cord of wood delivered the other day, and she's such a big help with the stacking. Or should I say un-stacking. The last time, she actually made her own pile. Don't know what that was all about. This time she seemed more interested in seeking out specific pieces, based on some criteria only she knew, and chewing on them. Fortunately it's oak, so even those strong jaws can't do TOO much damage. The problem is that she needs to be right in the middle of whatever is going on so we have to step over and around her while we stack. 