It Starts With A Napkin

It starts with a napkin? Okay, let me explain. For years, my husband and I used paper napkins with every meal. Six paper napkins a day doesn't sound like much, but consider this. How does 2,190 paper napkins sound? 25 years worth? 53,750! (Give or take a napkin or two)

That's why we decided to take a small step and switch to cloth napkins. One little gesture and we've eliminated something from the world trash heap. And, if you're wondering, throwing a few small napkins in a weekly load of laundry adds nothing to our utility bills. We've also switched to select-a-size paper towels but use cloth towels for clean-up whenever possible.

We recycle our grass clippings around trees and shrubs instead of filling plastic bags for the town pick up. Much easier on us and it also saves a lot of plastic trash bags! Even better.

We still have a long way to go. It's not easy to give up on conveniences, but, like us, you can start with the small stuff.

What have you done for Earth Day? Earth Year?

Why not pull out the cloth napkins?

Earth Day Official Website


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Villa Rica Elementary - School Visits

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Villa Rica Elementary. What a great school! Walking in the front door, school pride is evident. Although it's an older school, right in the downtown area, it's cheery and bright. Students and teachers, and office personnel alike were smiling and laughing. I knew, instantly, this was going to be a great visit.

I had the honor of being the first author visit set up by media instructor, Candace Williams, but I never would've guess because the whole morning was perfect. I was greeted with blueberry bread, muffins, cheese, crackers, fruit and a fresh pot of coffee! Someone must've clued her in that I'm not a morning person.

Screen and computer were ready and waiting for my Power Point Presentations. The 4th and 5th grade classes were fun and engaging, and asked insightful and interesting questions.

Anyhoo, a fantastic time was had by all, especially me!

So, kudos to Villa Rica Elementary and Ms. Candace Williams! Can't wait to go back again next year.

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A Mom's View of Stitches

I've always prided myself on being tough when it comes to blood and guts. I was an interested spectator as a surgeon dug a cyst out of my ring finger. "If you get light-headed, just look away," he'd said. "Nope. I want to see what it looks like," I'd answered, calmly and curiously as he proceeded to stitch up my knuckle.

My husband, on the other hand, can see my leg hanging by a thread after a chainsaw accident (No! This didn't really happen. Just giving an example, here) and carry out life-saving measures, but blood spilling from any part of his body? He's on the ground, passed out cold.

But, back to me. As I mentioned before, I'm usually tough as nails when it comes to blood and injuries. Tough, that is, until it came to my 10-year-old son and his first bike wreck. I heard the crash on our front sidewalk and ran to the door just in time to see him standing on the porch, shock on his face, holding his chin.

I persuaded him to let me look at the injury. His chin was hanging open and the only thing visible was blood and bone. How I didn't pass out right then is a mystery. I rushed him to the doctor, at least I think I did. Fortunately, it was Saturday afternoon, and we arrived just as the office was getting ready to close.

As the doctor led the patient back to the surgical room, I was told several stitches to close a pretty bad wound would be needed — at which time I almost passed out, again, in the empty waiting room. The nurse smiled and said, "Why don't you sit down and wait. It won't be long.''

I imagined all sorts of horrible things and braced myself for screams of pain coming from my son. But, none came. All I heard was a calming voice talking him through the cleaning and sterilization of the injury, and then on to the procedure of putting in the stitches. When all was done, I heard the doctor say, "You're all set to go, John. You've been very brave."

I sighed with relief until he went on to say, "Now, if we can just figure out how to get your mother home."

Don't forget to check out my books and short stories!

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