I was fascinated by this map of common languages spoken in the U.S. We really ARE a diverse country! And each language and person speaking it adds to the richness of our American culture.
Archive for July 16, 2019
Hug?
It’s National Hug Week. Yes, it exists and has existed for 33 years.
Read about how it started, related customs and traditions, and the benefits of hugging. Go to http://www.holidayscalendar.com/event/national-hug-day/ .
Yup. It’s National Hug Week. And what are YOU going to do about it?!
Is that Fur-Real?
My faux fur may be real, from real animals. I’m not sure what the trim on my coat is, despite the label. Much of the supposedly faux fur we wear in good conscience is actually taken from raccoon dogs (see picture below), rabbits, and other animals. Yes, mislabeling fur is against federal law. Yet, the Humane Society of the U.S. and New York Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal discovered this common practice with their undercover probe.
Most of the fur is coming from China, the world’s largest source for fur. Producers there obtain the fur by beating, strangling, or electrocuting many of the animals to kill them. Still others, they simply skin alive.
If you, like me, abhor cruelty to animals, especially to feed the vanity of humans, avoid buying any fur, whether it’s marked “faux” or not. As for me, I’ve removed the strip of questionable fur from my coat and will encourage my friends to do the same.
Is Child Abuse a National Pastime?
80% of the child abuse cases within the Boy Scouts of America between 1970 and 1991 went unreported. Churches (Catholic and Protestant and other faiths) have hidden cases involving their clergy, youth leaders, and other members of their staffs. School administrations have quietly moved accused offenders to other schools and positions. Coaches of youth teams carry on abuse in locker rooms while others look the other way. The perpetrators are not strangers. In fact, more than 90% of the children who suffer sexual abuse know their abusers.
A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds. What about all the other, unreported instances?
Why do so many people feel it’s okay to harm our vulnerable children? Apparently, many people do feel this way, because there are so many abusers and so many people and organizations that cover it up. When we hear about it, we act shocked, shake our heads in dismay, then go on with our lives. In effect, those of us who do nothing to stop it are helping to perpetuate it.
Has this national shame become a national pastime, simply another tolerated violence like boxing and hunting? I hope not.
Request from a Person with Alzheimer’s
When we are around someone with Alzheimer’s Disease, we often don’t know what to do or say. This boils it down to simple things that make a big difference.
How this Church Stretched a Dollar and Saved Lives
This Indiana church turned $1 contributions into $4 million. It stared with a Dollar Club–people giving a single dollar each quarter. The money helps foster families and people with health-cost burdens and others needing help. Then they teamed up with a charity, then with RIP Medical Debt, a non-profit that pays off crushing medical debt for people in dire need.
It’s an interesting story. Read more about it in this CNN article.
Four Thoughts for the Fourth
To get us ready for tomorrow, I thought it appropriate to send you to the HufPost’s Four Thoughts for the Fourth. This short article points out what the day actually signifies, how our people have changed since 1776, how the 4th became a real holiday, and what the [blank] fireworks has to do with it! I found it interesting and hope you do, too.
Happy Independence Day!
