Monday Musings

It snowed here today. Not a heavy, snow-plowing, shovelling snow, but snow nevertheless. I have tried to be philosophical about it and say, "Well, after all, it's mid-November. What do you want living in the Northeast?" Actually, it seemed appropriate as we put up the Angel Tree in the library this morning.

The Angel Tree is a library tradition begun , well, I can't quite remember how many years ago. I know it was early in my library career. It actually began with a mom in town who wanted to make a difference. After one year, she was overwhelmed and the library staff {Lonnie and Pam} took it over. Although we are now retired, we have kept working on this wonderful project.

Each November, we coordinate with the elementary school nurse to send letters to all the families in our school district, giving them an opportunity to put their child{ren} on the tree. We ask that those who feel providing Christmas gifts for their families will be a burden, submit the child's name, age and a gift or two they are hoping to receive. We ask that the cost of the gifts be kept at a reasonable amount. Once we receive the submissions, Lonnie puts the the sex, age and wishes on an angel, along with a number, which we then place on a tree in the library.

Those wishing to participate, come to the library, take an angel, leave their name and phone number and buy a gift for the angel. They return the wrapped gift with the Angel's number on it, and we distribute them to parents prior to Christmas.

It has been a really successful program and we have received some really nice letters and comments from both givers and receivers. Everything is done anonymously with only the school nurse, Lonnie and I knowing the names of the families. Local organizations often contribute money to offset the cost of the program. The local retired teacher's association is always on hand to take any angels left over (which rarely happens) and buy gifts. We anticipate this may be a year of more than usual requests due to the downturn in the economy, but our community always seems to come through.

The Angel Tree

I'm struggling with a sore back today. I haven't decided if it's fibromyalgia rearing its ugly head or if I just spent too much time sitting at an odd angle working on crafts on Saturday, or both. Whichever, I'm hobbling around like an old crone today.

Not too long ago, Faye posted a cute story someone had sent her via e-mail. Well I received this one last week and have been just dying to share it. Hope it makes you smile.

Shrek, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were sitting in the commissary having lunch one day. Shrek said, "I've always thought that I'm the strongest man in the world, but how can I be sure?"

Brad Pitt said, "I'm told I'm the sexiest man alive, but I've never had it confirmed,"

Angelina Jolie said, "I'm pretty sure I'm the most gorgeous of them all, but sometimes, I wonder."

They all decided that the best way to find out if their beliefs about themselves were true was to ask the famed talking "mirror, mirror on the wall" to confirm for them whether Shrek was the strongest, Brad Pitt the sexiest, and Angelina Jolie the most gorgeous. They agreed to meet the next day for lunch and discuss their findings.

The next day Shrek walked up with a smile. "Well, it's true. The mirror told me that I am the strongest man in the world."

Brad Pitt perked up and said, "And I know for sure that I'm the sexiest man alive."

But Angelina Jolie lifted her sad, gorgeous face and said....."Who in the world is Pam the Hippochick?"

LOL and have a happy evening.

~Hippo Hugs~