Wishing You all a healthy 2024!

 I realize I may be a bit premature with New Year wishes but I wanted to make sure I got that done as I am tidying, laundering and swabbing the decks as it were. All of the trash has gone out, too. Groceries are due between 6 and 8 and I may have time for a cup of tea or brewed cacao, something a friend gave me for Chanukah earlier this month. The cacao brews much like coffee in a French press and is loaded with antioxidants. I received a sampler box as a gift and so far have enjoyed the double chocolate. I add stevia and milk as the cacao is unsweetened.

Thanks for your interest in Mercy. I've got to research some solution to the cord problem and will let you know what I find. In the meantime, I am enjoying a book entitled Milo's Eyes, a memoir by Lissa Bachner, whom I saw during an interview with Steve Hartman. Blogger Sandra from Minnesota would probably especially enjoy this reading recommendation. On the subject of Minnesota, Hartman did a piece on an school in Hopkins, in which children realized that several special needs classmates were being left out at recess due to a lack of accessible equipment, swings, etc. When they asked their teacher about this, her response was, "Do you know what that costs?"

They did not but that did not stop them from finding out, and undeterred by the astronomical amount. the kids launched a GoFundMe on social media, had bake sales, tapped local and corporate businesses and other community organizations and went door to door asking for funds until, not only was every cent raised and the playground improved, but an initiative was launched by these children to help other schools make their playgrounds accessible for all children. Our politicians, regardless of party, could learn a lot from these kids, I think.

On that note, I wish you all a good day!