The Art of Donation

I've a splendid idea. For Christmas (or whatever holiday you observe), a donation is an ideal gift. Especially for someone who doesn't really need anything. My donation recipient of choice is usually Habitats for Humanity (having lost my "family" home at a tender age, I feel an certain affinity for President Carter's vision). But most recently? I've considered Heifer International, World Vision and The Children's Safe Drinking Water Program. They're all outstanding.

Heifer's dollars seem to really stretch. A flock of chicks is just $20 bucks. Those chickens lay up to 200 eggs a year, feeding poor families a year's worth of eggs or allowing them the chance to earn a very real income. Also, there's the "Gift of Honeybees" for $30 that provides bees, hive and training. Did you know that bees are fast disappearing worldwide? Without bees, crops are done. No more to be had!!! If it's the "green" issue that hooks you. So "bee" it. The quote that got me though, in reference to one man's buffalo in a third world country? He said, "If I die, my family will weep for me. If my buffalo dies, my family will starve." ...so the "share" of a water buffalo gift for $25? I'm considering that one. Or the tree seedlings donation of $60. I'm a tree hugger. No doubt. The world could always use more trees to combat the greenhouse effect. But these trees foster healthy crops by preventing erosion on steep hillsides, feeding livestock and the land.

My inclinations toward Heifer.org aside, here's some info regarding World Vision. For world communities, a donation of $50 reaps the equivalent of $700 foreign worth of equipment toward stocking a school. Holy crap, people! Maybe I should say, "Holy Goodness, people." But, if you prefer that your dollars help others here in America, every $50 worth of World Vision's "kids in the USA" donation reaps a $350 exchange in necessities - clothing, diapers, that sort of thing. Wow. Wow. Woweeeeeeeeeeee.

I think our donation dollars will be spent on pure drinking water. My husband loved the idea and so do I. We take our drinking water for granted. Most Americans (because of our "socialistic government" program of Public Water and Sanitation) never even have to worry about it. I hope you'll take a moment to at least watch the video on Children's Safe Drinking Water. You'll see why we're so pumped, pun intended, about what a difference those donation dollars can make. It's truly phenomenal. Unbelievable really. Scary. Having watched the video, you'll see how unacceptably horrible it is to imagine life without pure water. In all of my horrible experiences, palatable (let alone safe) water was never a problem.

No, I'm not rich. I'm not a philanthropist. I'm not even employed. But, I've asked my husband to donate, in my name (in lieu of a Christmas present). One of the reasons I'm overweight (besides the man that loves to cook for me) is the hunger I experienced as a kid. You'll not find me complaining about food - if it's hot enough or if it's not tasty enough... ANY food, if you've ever been without, is an outright blessing. Having lost a home to fire, my experience explains my affinity for Habitats For Humanity and others like it. Yes, times are tough today. But not nearly as tough as they could be. Believe me. I've been there.

If you've ever been a waiter, you probably tip well. If you've delivered papers in the dead of winter, you probably give a bonus to the paper boy. Good intentions. It's usually experience that goes a long way in nudging a person toward taking concrete action. But, even if you've lived a charmed life, empathy or even fear can breed benevolence. Please consider giving for the holidays.

Signed, Preachy Freakin' Suze (who'll now get off her high horse and give you a freakin' break)

p.s. - If you read this whole blog entry, you must be a saint! (or a relative) I promise to try something lighter next time, k?

Update!!! My brother wrote to let me know that it was really Millard Fuller that founded Habitats for Humanity. Thanks, Scott. Jimmy is the name that's synonymous with Habitats but it's Millard's baby. Go, Millard! Don'tcha love that name?

Gratitudes for Generosity

Gobble, gobble or as Mia (the grand-glory) would say, "magbogobmagob". Or something like that... God bless her intelligent tushy. As y'all know, Thanksgiving is not my favorite. Lost my foster Mom that very day. And she would have been so miffed. She never liked "upsetting the apple cart". And try as I might, I still dislike it. Sorry, Mom. But, my honey is still besotted with a day where feeding others is the name of the game. So it ranks right up there with our family. It's Dad/Pop's chance to make artwork of some poultry destined for our table. And he always delivers. Traditionally we try to get the youngest to eat stuffing and sweet potatoes. "Blechh", is the response. And the oldest holds out for a cigar with Pop and Drewski after clarifying what he hates most. Mushrooms or peppers. Why can't I remember that? I, with the other female constants in our nuclear family, are just basically thankful for the men in our lives. (thanks to me - yep, tooting my rusty horn.) Me for the man I love - Amy for hers and Lindsay for hers. Others enter into the scheme of things too. Most recent for me? My niece. And her hubby too. Thank you for your hospitality. I have never slept so soundly at someone else's house in my entire life. Not even her Mom's. And she is so important to me that it truly hurts.

Giving thanks is not ever a burden nor a problem. So many things belong on the pro side of life's lists. Here's to thanking those we treasure and those we've treasured in the past. The paintbrush of life is written in experiences too numerous to mention. Thanks to the baby girl I wish were mine, that niece. Thanks to her Mom, the best there is. Thanks to my man who never stops stewing about the people he loves and who considers stewing over the stove a pleasure to savor. A privilege, really. Thanks to my boys who have brought me more joy in any of their days than all their days of trials put together could hamper. Thanks to God for giving us all, not just artists, something to marvel over. When my sweetie pronounced, "Come see, there's a beautiful scene out the back window" - I knew it must be true. Crisp air, frosted beauty, sunshine oozing over everything in site. He was right, 'cha know.

God bless everyone and - oh yes, here's to watching "It's a Wonderful Life". After all, the mark of a life well lived is the traditions that bring us back to roost. Gobble, gobble. You want the moon, Johnny? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it. And here's to Momma Dollar and Poppa Dollar in our troubled times. 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody. "Magbogobmagob."

Saugatuck, Artist's Haven - Michigan Jewel

At the base of Mt. Baldhead's 247 steps - sjacobsfabian 2008

Saugatuck, MI has long been a favorite destination of ours. It's home to Ox-Bow, school of art, one of the delicious goals that exists on my list of things-to-do. I believe that my sister and brother-in-laws, Howie and Susie, first told us about this awesome place. Though I've yet to see the school, the city has our hearts in it's hands.

My man and I immediately think of going there when we want a take in a few romantic days. Been going there for years now and have done a variety of B and Bs and hotels, including Americinn and Ship and Shore (ugh). Last year we stayed at the Ivy Inn. Smack dab in the da middle o' town. On our anniversary weekend we usually see Saugatuck's Venetian Night and take in the craft show and galleries. Needless to say, finding parking there is like finding a jump ring in my shag carpeting. Fuggedaboudit! Ivy Inn is ideal and it's host was charming and the location can't be beat but the rooms are tiny. Some things just don't belong on our list of sacrifices to make. No sirree, Bob! (or whatever your name is...) Bigger is almost always better.

Enter Hidden Garden Cottages. Heaven can be found in the middle of town. Parking? No prob. Wonderful hosts, yummy accommodations and romantic influences abound. I hesitate to mention the place, for fear it'll always be booked up. The Tuscany Cottage (yes, a cottage) comes complete with a HUGE spa tub, poster bed, a kitchenette chock full of goodies, romantic music and movies. It just oozes sweetness. As the name intimates, it's decor is of an Italian bent - tastefully architectural with welcoming arms. Plus, almost everything is within walking distance. HGC really does offer privacy. It's a hidden jewel in the middle of a gem of a town. I especially love the journal entries written by all the lovers that came before us. Hey! Pun not intended! Tsk, tsk! We waited longer than usual to go on our yearly getaway. But the wait was well worth it.

I hope we'll always be able to make our pilgrimage to Saugatuck/Douglas' art galleries and teasing aromas that drift out of their restaurants. Among our favorite foodie places? Marro's, the Butler and we just discovered Everyday People. Magnifique!

We never leave without visiting artist, James Brandis' gallery. The art is wonderful but he really should consider marketing the menagerie of portraits that line the studio walls. His subjects of preference are usually nature vignettes and nautical scenes. But, it's the city resident's likenesses we love best. Unfortunately, the poster he had printed of those portraits (Faces of Saugatuck) is seemingly unavailable anywhere besides in his shop. Worth going to see (and buy). He supposedly said he'd do a painting of everyone from Saugatuck and those images keep him company, awaiting our return. His gallery isn't even listed on the Saugatuck.com website. Even though the site is a wonderful representation of Saugatuck/Douglas offerings, it's incomplete. No James Brandis gallery included, no complete list...

As for other special S/D attractions... You'll find Amsterdam (located on Bluestar Highway), in the specialty galleries section on that website. It's THE best collection of antiques, pottery and oddities that I know of. ANYWHERE! Bar none. Saugutuck is also the dune beach-swimmer and boater-recreation Mecca of Lake Michigan's eastern shores. The seasoned golfer will be happy to know that there's golfing available as well. Venetian Night celebrations encompass a dreamy, yet stimulating setting. With cutting-edge fireworks, who wouldn't love to sit by the water, people-watching while listening to the Butler's live band playing familiar tunes? And whether you ride in the quaint Saugutuck Chain Ferry, enter the old-fashioned band shell (Wick's Park Gazebo) or see the public restroom, you won't be disappointed. Yes, I said "restroom"! It's covered in a painting that replicates Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by George Seurat. The city is even dotted with phenomenal sculptures at every turn. Eye candy EVERYWHERE, people!!!

Thanks to my partner for life, for committing to celebrate "us" with our yearly Saugatuck, traditional trek. My world is all the sweeter for it. As for everyone else, if you're new at the art of romance or wear wrinkles hard-earned during years of sweet loving, consider the trip. We know you'll be hooked. Speaking of hooked... fishing on rented pontoons is fun too. Okay, okay... Just remember, if you visit, be sure to let me know what you loved best. Warning! Romance is in the air. Every so often life throws us a hint. When we listen, it can have euphoric results. The art of charm and the charm of gathered art awaits you in Saugatuck.

The Ultimate "Top Dog" Goes to Washington

Yes, I'm late in putting my two cents in about the election. It's been a hopeful and ongoing celebration at my house. Everything is wonderful and new again.

Are you really asking what this has to do with art? Hmmmph. It's the art of a skillful, brilliant young man that makes a hopeful future possible once again. Yep, we have to thank everybody who voted for and stumped for President-Elect Obama. Yes, he has a full plate of legal, civil, international and domestic social matters before him. Yes, I'm willing to be patient.

Lucky for us he's not the Red State good old boy that you would sit down and have a beer with. We elected him for his brains, thank God. We don't expect happy hour. We expect him to get to work and that's just what he's already doing. Hellloooooo!

I altered my artwork to compete in a contest. The almighty buck's superimposed on the drawing and it's just the topic that won him the nation's confidence. The economy. Money or the lack thereof.

God bless him and his girls (of course, Michelle is one of them). God bless us lucky Americans, even those who didn't vote for change... And God bless me. My birthday present is coming on inauguration day. Obama will pledge to protect and defend the Constitution with one hand on the Bible. The time for presidents who ignore and exploit the Constitution is OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whoopee for us all. Whoopee for us all. Is it January 20th yet? One thing is sure. Change has come to America! Insert smile from ear-to-ear right here!