a slice of pie

Pie. I love pie. Here in San Francisco, where I am visiting, there are so many places where I can get some good pie! My favorite is strawberry-rhubarb, but a nice cherry pie is good, and pumpkin is quite satisfying too. Now I know this blog is not about me. It's about making a difference in the world, so what does pie have to do with that?

Happiness is one of the greatest things we can experience, and different things make different people happy. Pie is one of the things that makes me happy. Do feel free to tell us about some of the things that make you happy. I remember an old time television program where the maid was always giving slices of pie, or sometimes fresh homemade cookies, to people. It made them happy. I had some wonderful neighbors once who did the same thing. There would be a knock at my door, and one of them would be standing there with something delicious for me to eat. My mom's landlady did it with bread. She was always baking bread, and there would always be an extra loaf for Mom. If you haven't tasted fresh hot bread, straight out of the oven, you are missing out.

Do you bake? Think about sharing with someone. Bring cookies in to school or to work. How about that deliveryperson who is always doing extra things for you? A slice of pie (or even a whole pie), can be quite a reward. You get the idea.  You can easily make someone's day with very little effort.  A slice of pie might not change the world all by itself, but what a delicious way to start! 

Baby it's cold outside

Although winter doesn't officially come to the US until next month, the temperatures have already dipped in a number of places. Here in Arizona where I live, it's been down in the 30s every night this week, and we even had a significant snowfall already. Now is a good time to remember your farm animals or pets and to especially remember the homeless who are outside all the time.

Nice clean warm socks, sturdy shoes, and warm blankets to cover yourself, and of course a good sturdy overcoat are all so very helpful to those in need. A Texas organization called Project Warm Us can use donations and volunteers. Find out more at http://www.projectwarm.us/ A Nashville based organization called Soles4Souls distributes shoes to needy people and, I'm told is also now distributing coats. Their website is https://soles4souls.org/ There are churches and other organizations in communities across the country that do collections and give these things to the needy. Check around where you live, and if you don't find anything, consider beginning a program of your own. The thanks you get back will warm your hearts!

When I lived in San Francisco, we had an annual memorial for people who died outside on the street. Many of those died because of the cold. Most of those deaths could have been prevented. Let's step up and do something.

Keeping Bonnie Franklin alive

These days we can regularly see her talent on reruns of One Day At A Time, and videos from Applause are available HERE. Bonnie Franklin was a brilliant talent with a zest for life. A few years ago, when she passed away, I wrote about her here and what a giver she was. Death didn't put an end to that.

 

Bonnie Franklin lives on in so many ways: the performances I just mentioned and also in a splendid charity she founded a few years before her death, that brings theatre to schoolchildren in Los Angeles. It's called Bonnie Franklin’s Classic and Contemporary American Plays, and I hope you will take a few minutes to check it out.

Now in their 15th season, this incredible idea continues to be a reality thanks to wonderful volunteers and generous donors. One of the reasons I am bringing this up, is because we all can help. One of her old tv co-stars has begun an online fundraiser and donations of any size will help. Click HERE to go to that fundraiser and donate or just get more information. You can also visit the organizations homepage at http://bfccap.org/

The National Endowment for the Arts, Pico Playhouse, The Broad Stage, the Friends of Bonnie Franklin's CCAP, and wonderful individuals like you are all helping to keep Bonnie Franklin alive. Such a wonderful program. Do share it with others, too!