Shoe Boxes and Bird Feeder

Each year my church participates in Operation Christmas Child. This program sends shoe boxes of toys, school supplies, and other gifts to children around the world as an expression of the spirit of Christmas and the truth of the Gospel. Monday morning I took our boxes to the local collection point at Calvary in the Ozarks where an enthusiastic crew unloaded them for me. I filled out the paperwork. A friend who coordinates the pick-up told me about her plans to go to Peru soon to do Vacation Bible School during their summer. Talk about reaching out to the world from our little corner North of the Tunnel!

Back in October my mom got a bird feeder as a birthday present. My sister dropped by a week or so later and asked if she had decided where to put it. With that motivation, Margo and I undertook the project. It took us a few weeks as we gathered all the things we would need.

I found a length of old pipe out behind a shed that was threaded on one end. We discussed its merits and short comings and decided it would do. Then I measured it and paid a visit to the hardware store. I found pieces that would work and carried them home. I took the tee fitting out to check that it would work, and it just slipped over the pipe with room to spare. I had measured the outside of the pipe rather than the inside diameter. So back I went. This time I found even better fittings. Soon I had all the parts assembled. When my sister came last Saturday we got out the tools and worked away until we finished the job. We were proud of ourselves, and the birds seem to like it too.

What adventures are you having this November?

Election Day

President Abraham Lincoln said in his well-loved Gettysburg Address, “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” No where is that equality more evident than in the polling place on Election Day. Each and every citizen, provided they meet the basic requirements, is entitled to cast a ballot if he or she chooses. No one will force you to vote; no one can compel you to vote one way or another. Much blood, much sweat, and many tears have been shed over enlarging and protecting this right of the citizenry of this nation to cast a free and secret ballet.

You may choose to be a well informed voter or not. You may vote a straight ticket or vote for as many different party candidates as there are represented on this year’s ballot. You may be satisfied with the range of choices you are offered or you may fervently wish that you had a better “choice.” It makes no difference to your right to vote this November Tuesday. Provided you are a registered voter, your only limitation is whether or not you want to exercise the equality of the ballot box.

If you do, you may even get a nifty little “I Voted” sticker. I did.

Just a few upcoming events:

November 6 and 7, Washington County Fair Grounds

Northwest Arkansas Fantasy Faire

November 6, 7 p.m., East Square Plaza, Fayetteville

Unzipped Fashion Show, benefit for Seven Hills Shelter's programs for Veterans.

November 6, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Little Flock Fire Station

Fire In The Flock Chili Cook-Off & Silent Auction