It is best to give

Let’s face it folks. As much as we may complain about our crazy lives and our need for more time and money (and less Bush), we are all very fortunate in most every way. During this season of gluttony and rabid commercialism, wouldn’t it be nice to avoid the chaos of the mall while at the same time sharing a tiny bit of all that the universe has bestowed upon us? It’s just a thought.

If you are so inclined, here are some worthy organizations that could use our help. Of course, this is just a fraction of all the ways we can reach out and embody the true meaning of the holiday season.

Ok, I’ll get off my soapbox now.

Teach a man to fish…
Heifer.org

I love elephants. They are so gentle, and they remember their loved ones forever, unlike some people I know.
The Elephant Sanctuary

Kids begging for a pony? Here’s the next best thing.
Long Meadow Rescue Ranch

Sensing a theme here? Yes, my heart belongs to the animals. Their love is unconditional, and they rarely start wars over religious differences.
Humane Society of America

Or, act locally:
Animal Humane Society of Minnesota

But I do care about people. I really do.

Support people, animals, and the environment:
Rainforest Alliance

Stand up for the little ones:
Child Help

Give the gift of books:
First Book

Or, pick a cause that speaks to your individual concerns at justgive.org

Ho Ho Ho

I wish I was in Tijuana, eating barbequed iguana

I have the travel bug. Really, I always have the travel bug, but it seems to be worse today. Maybe it’s because it is December 1st today. It’s cold but without a fluffy blanket of fresh snow or sparkly icecicles dripping from trees to brighten the day. If it’s going to be cold, I want it to be pretty. Otherwise, I will need a vacation soon.

And no, Wisconsin Dells does not count.

For a long time I had no desire to travel. By the age of 13 I had lived in three countries, and was ready to stay put. I didn’t equate traveling with taking a much-needed break from the norm, I equated it with packing up everything I owned (again) and leaving my friends behind. Traveling meant learning a new language and being the weird new foreign kid. I refused to even own a suitcase for years.

Now I have such a long list of places I want to visit that I could never fit them all into this lifetime. Here are a few examples:

- Italy
- Southern France, particularly a tiny town called Eze.
- New England in the fall
- Spain
- Napa Valley
- Greece
- Prague
- Ireland
- Amelia Island, Florida
- Little Palm Island, Florida
- Fuji
- Galapagos Islands
- San Francisco in the summer

At this point, it looks like the closest I’ll get to any of those is Vegas for the Beatles Cirque du Soleil show in February. Which sounds awesome, but it’s no Tuscany at springtime.