June 2020 - Page 2 of 3 - Small Things Count

Archive for June 15, 2020

A Mask that Cheats You of Money and Protection

June 15, 2020 admin Comments Off

Health professionals, including the CDC, are warning us about masks with exhale valves ( a certain type of N-95 mask) being sold as more comfortable and cooler. Don’t buy them. They don’t meet requirements of the CDC or some areas, because it’s questionable about how effective they are in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Here’s the thing. Most valves don’t have a filter. That means that when you exhale, everything — including droplets — are pushed out through the valve and into your surroundings. In other words, theses masks, like most others used properly, give you a little protection from other people, they do NOT protect your friends, loved ones, acquaintances, or strangers you get near to. So you may be spreading the virus. (Remember: you may be symptom-free or have been infected but not know it.)

And that’s the point of masks — to protect others while they’re protecting us.

Save your money and keep fighting this virus!

Uncategorized CDC, comfort, COVID19, effective, filter, mask, N95, protect, requirements, valve, virus, warning

ReStore Your Home

June 13, 2020 admin Comments Off

As you plan repairs and remodel, check to see if Habitat for Humanity has a ReStore in your community. They sell quality used and new goods and furniture at 50-70% off retail. Help the Earth, save money, and support a great cause, all at the same time.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is leaf.gif

[For more easy, money-saving, Earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000 or your favorite e-book seller and download to your computer or e-book device. Totally free, with no strings attached.]

Uncategorized budget, discount, free, habitat, humanity, remodel, repair, restore, tip

Cancel 2020 or Not

June 11, 2020 admin Comments Off

When I started reading this Thursday Thought offering, I thought the idea was crazy. The more I read, the more I grew in understanding, hope, and determination. No, it’s not at all a crazy idea.

Uncategorized 2020, cancel, change, comfort, pain, quote, Thursday Thought

For a Healthy Marriage

June 9, 2020 admin Comments Off

“AFTER the kids are grown and we retire, THEN we’ll have time for us!” Too many couples put their relationship last. Wouldn’t it be better if our kids grew up with a different outlook, that Marriage, as the heart of Family, is important enough to nourish? We can do this in our own homes and among friends. Find out about Marriage Encounter weekends and couples’ group activities. Do a date-night exchange, taking turns watching the kids while one couple goes out on a date—or just goes back home alone for a few hours. Give that extra set of tickets to friends who need a night out. Or take their kids with yours to the Children’s Discovery Museum and turn over your pool or hot tub to the parents for an afternoon. All these things are inexpensive or free to you but priceless to your friends. Your reward comes when they return the favor, and the community benefits from healthier marriages, both yours and your children’s!

Uncategorized children, community, couple, date, friends, hot tub, kids, marriage, outlook

Hey, Dearie, Listen Up

June 8, 2020 admin Comments Off

You hear it all the time — older people being treated like children, spoken down to. There isn’t any ill intention in this. In fact, some people think they’re being caring and respectful. How do you suppose the older person feels? Climb into the mind of this imaginary senior citizen and find out.

There it is again. “Hello, Dear.” “Let me do that for you, Sweetheart.” “You want anything else, Honey?”

Guess what, Dearie! I’m NOT your “Dear” or your “Sweetheart” or your “Honey.” You don’t even know me. Only my loved ones are allowed to call me those things.

Why do you do that? I’m an adult. Do you think my wrinkled face makes me feeble-minded? Or that, because I move slowly, I need you to be my nursemaid? You know, I’m quiet because I’ve learned to talk only when I have something to say—doesn’t mean I can’t talk. Or hear, for that matter. So why do you insist on shouting at me and treating me like a child?

I think I’ve lived long enough and been through enough to have earned some respect. How about it?

Uncategorized adult, caring, older, person, respect, senior, sweetheart, viewpoint

You Don’t Need Worms for Success

June 6, 2020 admin Comments Off

SUNSHINE! Time to care for our traumatized yards. This year, grow vigorous plants without chemicals, prevent wind/water erosion, and use less water while decreasing the chance of plant-disease. It’s easy. Just start composting.

Hate worms? No problem. You don’t need the squiggly creatures, or even a container. Start small, with a compost trench. Rake those leaves into trenches between flower beds and forget them. They’ll turn into mulch which you can spread around plants or mix into their soil.

Compost pockets are easy, too. They’re 18” deep holes into which you place scraps, like fruit, vegetables, and coffee grinds, then fill with dirt. In a month, plant something there and watch it thrive.

Consider this: by composting, most communities could reuse 50% of the waste they produce. Give it a try and have some family fun.

Uncategorized compost, family, fruit, fun, garden, pocket, trench, vegetables, worms

Compassion? A Game?

June 5, 2020 admin Comments Off

Here’s a new game for gamers and the rest of us. It’s a game designed to put more than our console-fingers to work. The idea is “to make our communities safer, kinder, more just, and better places to live.” I’m talking about the Compassion Games. Anyone can participate from anywhere.

For details, including how to join a team and play, go to http://compassiongames.org.