Saturday 9

Saturday 9: We Need a Little Christmas

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) At the beginning of this recording, Daffy says he hopes all his friends remember his size, style and favorite color. What piece of clothing would you like to add to your wardrobe?

I am gradually running out slacks.  I used to have a lot more but they are wearing out--I have not bought a new pair in probably 10 years.  One of these days I'm going to have to get mself to the tent maker and find out if there is anything that fits me.

2) His friends are late for Daffy's holiday soiree. Think about the last get together you attended. Were you early, late or right on time?

The last social event we went to was Thanksgiving at Ned's in-laws'.  Walt was just post-op (or was it pre-op) and only wanted to go for a short time, so we arrived late and left early.  Usually we are pretty much on time.

3) It hasn't a snowed a single flurry where Daffy is. Have you had to shovel yet?

Only leaves.  We've lived here 45 years and it has snowed twice, for about half an hour each time.

4) Daffy sings that he's looking forward to fruitcake. How about you? Are you a fruitcake fan?

I'm wishy washy.  Not a fan, but not a hater either.  I've had some I like very much and some I'm not too fond of.  It depends on the kind of dried fruit in it...and how much liquor is poured over it before it is served!

5) Daffy is an American Black Duck. Their usual diet doesn't generally include fruitcake. These ducks more commonly dine on seeds, foliage and bugs. What was your most recent meal?

Tamales with guacamole and some Spanish rice.

6) The only Christmas card Sam has received so far this year is from her insurance agent. She never sees her agent socially. In fact, she doesn't think she's seen him at all in 2018. Have you received many cards this year? If so, were they from people you feel close to?

We have only had a handful of cards, and most of them from businesses (the first one was from Chewy.com).

7) When do you start holiday shopping: Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving/Black Friday, Halloween?

I'm kind of passively shopping all year long.

8) Sam was recently driven crazy by kids running through store aisles wearing elf hats with bells. Do you have any apparel that makes noise?

I have one Christmas sweater with a little bell on it.  Hardly makes any noise at all.

9) This time of year is big for charitable fundraising. Here's your chance to plug a cause or organization that's near and dear to you.

There are two, one for people, one for animals.  I have been a sponsor with Compassion International for several years and now sponsor 17 kids.  You look at all the problems around the world, here at home and in other countries and feel so helpless.  But this is a way I can make a difference in the life of a few kids.  It ain't gonna save the world, but it's going to maybe save the world for those 17 kids.

In animals, my support goes to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.  They rescue orphaned baby elephants, most of whose mothers have been killed by poachers for their ivory tusks.  They raise the babies and get them ready to go back to the wild.  I've been following their work for many years now and watched babies grow, return to the wild, and come back with their own babies to show off.  Again there are so many problems for so many animals world-wide but here is a place I can help one or two of them.

I'd also like to put in a plug for Kiva, a  non-profit organization that allows people to lend money via the Internet to low-income entrepreneurs and students in over 80 countries. Kiva's mission is "to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty."  Al Gore mentioned it in An Inconvenient Truth.  Make a loan of $25 and when it s repaid, you can either get your money back or you can loan it to someone else.  My $25 has helped dozens of people over the years.

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Good news -- Walt's catheter is out, for the first time since June.  We are holding our breath and hoping that he is finally DONE with the damn thing.

And my blood numbers are down again and the doctor says I can quit the blood testing every other week.  I may try driving next week.  I haven't done that in months because my legs were too weak to trust them on the pedals of the car.

Things are looking up for better health in 2019.