National Hurricane Preparedness Week

Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 24-30. Most of my life I have lived in states along the Gulf Coast. I know the major storms by name—some I have seen tear through my neighborhood and knock trees onto my roof; others I have experienced through relatives and friends whose homes were destroyed by their brute force and devastation. I know the importance of being prepared for hurricanes. Nevertheless, we all get lax about this. When the weather is calm and there are no dire threats, it’s easy to “think about it tomorrow.” Think about it now: Make an evacuation plan for your family and your pets. Know the best routes out of town. Check your flashlight batteries to be sure they all work. Keep a battery operated radio around. Store extra water and food. Clean off the patio to make things easier if your area is threatened with high winds. Put important papers in a water tight, safe container. Take time to get prepared, and then enjoy the summer! For more information, check http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

~C

Red Nose Day

May 21 is the first Red Nose Day in the US. It was created by Comic Relief in the UK in 1985, and since then has raised 1 billion pounds. I’m not sure of what to expect, but the following description was on the website:

Red Nose Day is a campaign dedicated to raising money for children and young people living in poverty by simply having fun and making people laugh. The inaugural Red Nose Day will be held in the US on May 21st, 2015. People across the country will come together to have fun and raise funds and awareness. The day’s events will culminate in a three-hour entertainment TV special on NBC featuring the country’s favorite comedians, musicians and Hollywood stars—it’s a show not to be missed! The TV special will showcase top comedy and entertainment live and in pre-recorded segments. It will also highlight the issues for which Red Nose Day is fundraising. Viewers will be encouraged to make donations by phone, and online.

I like the idea of having a plan to raise money to help people who are in need. I’m looking forward to the events of the day.

Proverb 22:9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

~N

American Indian Day

May 9 is American Indian Day. One of the first people to advocate an American Indian Day was Dr. Arthur Parker, director of the Rochester, New York’s Museum of Arts and Sciences and a Seneca Indian. In 1914, a Blackfoot Indian named Red James Fox began riding on horseback from state to request an American Indian Day. In 1915, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, president of the American Indian Association and an Arapahoe, proclaimed the second Saturday in May as American Indian Day and made a formal appeal to recognize the Native Americans as citizens. In December of that year, Red James Fox presented the endorsements he had been able to obtain from 24 states to the White House. There is no record, however, of a national proclamation of such a day.  I am glad we celebrate this day and we recognize November as American Indian Heritage month. The contributions and sacrifices of the Native Americans have long been under-recognized.

Native American Prayer

Oh, Great Spirit
Whose voice I hear in the winds,
And whose breath gives life to all the world,
hear me, I am small and weak,
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold
the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have
made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand the things
you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have
hidden in every leaf and rock.

I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy – myself.
Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my Spirit may come to you without shame.

(translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887)
published in Native American Prayers – by the Episcopal Church.

~N

National Public Gardens Day

We have celebrated National Public Gardens Day since 2009, and it’s always held on the first Friday before Mother’s Day. The American Public Gardens Association started the event to highlight the environmental importance of public gardens. They provide much needed green spaces in cities, and they teach us about plant and water conservation. Most of all, they provide a place to renew our spirit and enjoy the seasonal flowers and plants in our area. Visit a garden today. Many are offering discounted or free admission. Roses are in bloom at the American Rose Center in Shreveport, and admission is free. Take time to stop and smell the roses.

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. Luke 12:27

~C

Lemonade Day Louisiana

Lemonade Day is celebrated today in Louisiana. More than 18,000 youth are expected to participate in this fifth annual event. This entrepreneurial event was started nationwide in 2007 as a way to teach kids more about business ownership and responsibilities. Many kids begin their business life with a lemonade stand, so this is a fun, practical way to teach finance and life skills. Lemonade Day teaches kids business and marketing skills, including financial priorities like paying back investors, opening a savings account, and donating a portion of their savings to charity. In preparation for this day in Louisiana, volunteers have stuffed backpacks for participating kids filled with educational information and marketing tools. There have been tasting contests in several cities. In Zachary, there’s a festival planned today with pet adoptions, music, food trucks, and, of course, lemonade. It’s all helping kids learn how to be business leaders, volunteers, and community activists. Sweeten your day, with a refreshing glass of lemonade from one of the young entrepreneurs at Lemonade stands. Look for stands in front of homes and businesses. If you’re not in Louisiana, check www.lemonade.org for dates in your state.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6