In Search of the Human Spirit

Thoughts and prayers for the families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy, please.

Cerrie Burnell is a 29 year old single Mom.  She does everything a Mom is supposed to do.   What makes her different is she was born with only one hand.

Burnell is the host of a children’s TV show called Bedtime Hour.  She was chosen out of over 1,000 applicants because of her warm personality.

The selection has caused some controversy.  Some parents worry that seeing handless TV personality will scare their children.  But, others see it as a chance to teach children that disabled people are just fine and can contribute to society just like everyone else.

If you’d like to learn more about Cerrie Burnell, MSNBC did a story on the controversy:

Everyone knows the economy is tanking.  So, it should come as any surprise that during this time, libraries are getting a boost in patronage.

As people cut back on on expenses, libraries are seeing an increase in patronage. Libraries fill many needs like providing job information, books to read, internet access, DVDs to borrow for free, and so much more.  Nothing else compares to the many free services your public library provides.

I am giving thanks for this wonderful free community resource.  Our communities would be lost without them.  Let’s hope local governments recognize how necessary public libraries are at this time.

You can read more about how libraries are filling the needs of the community during this recession:

Hard Economic Times a Boon for Libraries

What do you do with your free time?  80 year old Alyce Johnson of Fremont, California  makes quilts while watching evening TV. The retired school teacher has made about 80 quilts in the last two years.  That’s about 30 hours of quilting a week!

That’s alot of quilts!  She used to sell that at church fundraiser and other charities.  But three years ago, she got the idea that they should be given away for free.  The quilts are given to the Kaiser Permanente Children’s Pediatric ward in Oakland, CA.  The children who are critically ill cozy up in them during their medical care.  Then when they go home, they take the quilt with them.

The North Dakota native learned to sew as a child.  Quilting has become a way to fill her free time since retiring. They are hand sewn though she could do them on a sewing machine.

Johnson doesn’t get any of the credit either.  She donates the quilts to the hospital.  Then the hospital staff hands them out.  While others may get the thank yous, the pleasure is all hers.

Here’s a look at some of Alyce Johnson’s quilts:

Photo Gallery of Quilts

I must apologize to all my readers for the lack of blog entries since December. A family member was ill and it ate up all my time. Things are starting to get back to normal and I hope that my blogging will as well.

Hope you’ve all been in good health!

I must apologize to my readers for my absence from this blog.  I had every intention of starting fresh in 2009 and really blogging away.  And, then life happens.

Right after the first of the year, my computer died.  I borrowed a computer for awhile and finally got a new one for a birthday present.  I then had to start the process of reloading my files and software.

Then my Dad became very ill.  He ended up hospitalized for 5 days with side effects of emphysema and a small case of pneumonia.  He’s doing much better now.

It’s been a mentally and emotionally draining month.  I hope February will be better.

Thanks for being patient with this blogger!

Wishing the visitors to this blog a very happy holiday season!

Merry Christmas to all!

In Search of the Human Spirit would like to wish all it’s visitors a celebration filled Thanksgiving Day.  May it be festive, safe, and filled with joy.

Today is the day we elect a new President.  It’s an historic election that we all will remember for generations to come.  It may be one of those events that we share with our children and grandchildren.

So…Remember… GET OUT AND VOTE!!!

Call out the town crier!  I got my absentee ballot and I voted last night.  Off to the post office this morning and my civic duty is done.

As a Barack Obama supporter, I have to admit that I had a moment of the historic filling out my ballot.  I drew the line that connected to Obama and Biden’s square, making sure that it was straight and clean.  After I did so, I had to pause and savor the moment.  Imagine that!  There is a formidable African American running for President of the United States of America and he has a good chance of winning.

I know that both of my parents (in their 70s and 80s now) never thought they would see the day.  I’m only in my 40s, but I’m not sure if I believed it either.  It does make you pause.  We’ve come a long way since I was a child growing up in the 1960s and 1970s.  What seemed impossible then now seems very likely.

Whichever candidate you have chosen, make sure you cast your vote!  It’s your one chance to make a difference and take part in this great democracy we call America.

GO VOTE!