Mercury And A Wandering Mind

I'm not sure if it's Mercury getting ahead of itself, or just some strangeness in the air, but these last few days have been odd.  I've felt off my game, a little down and generally frustrated at everything.  Luckily, there are more than enough things going on here on the interwebs to keep me distracted.

Here are a few things that I've enjoyed or been mulling over lately:

~ Always an enjoyable and fascinating read, New World Witchery has a post on the lore surrounding walnuts.  I'm allergic to the buggers (walnuts, not Cory or Laine) but can appreciate the symbolism.

~ For years, I have been wanting to head to Caravan Farm to see the outdoor plays the theatre company puts on. This year, the play is "The Gift Horse" which is about a childless couple who is given a child by the Moon. This may be the year I finally get there!

For holiday hayrides or sleighrides in your state or province, check out this website.

~ Incorporating a Nativity scene in a non-Christian household.  My friend brought me back Nativity figurines from Mexico this year and at first I was perplexed.  Until I read Carolina's most recent newsletter at the House of Eleggua.  She did a post on the Nativity, here, but do subscribe to her newsletter where she discusses the symbolism surrounding the figures involved in the Christ story.

~ Speaking of Christ, or technically, his followers, there has been quite a discussion going on over at Twitter today about whether or not you should support a charitable organization (in this case, The Salvation Army) if they openly preach against GLBT rights. 

If an organization does great things with the money donated to it, yet does not operate at a level that speaks to your own morals and values, would you donate to them?  Does the good they do, outweigh the intolerance they may have?  Great points on both sides of this debate!

As we head into the start of the bustling holiday season, I want to wish my American neighbours a blessed Thanksgiving (if you celebrate) and wish you a safe and happy holiday!

Spread The Love

I always love hearing of great organizations that bring a little joy into the lives of those less fortunate.  Simple things that we take for granted - food, toys, school supplies, clothing - are items that so many others in the world are lacking.  These charities are endeavouring to bring those things into the lives of children and families.  If you have a few extra dollars this payday, consider these worthy causes:

88 Bikes is an organization that will buy a child in a developing country a bicycle.  A simple thing - so much joy!

One of my all-time favourite charities is Heifer International.  They supply everything from farm animals and school supplies to a well for a community.

Each year, I get together with my co-workers and collect new items to fill shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.  These boxes filled with toys, school supplies, socks and whatever else we can squish in there, are sent to children all over the world.

Of course, we've heard alot lately about the devastating starvation occuring in the horn of Africa.  There are many organizations working on relief efforts, including CARE and Doctors Without Borders. 

Many are going through their own financial crisis these days, but it's amazing how good you feel if you just skip that latte and put the $5.00 towards helping someone else out.  And it doesn't have to be across the world.  Look next door - do your neighbours need anything?  Can you donate extra paper and pens to your local school?  Walk a dog at your local shelter?  There is so much we can do (whether monetary or not) to spread the love!