BOREDOM

Every year the thoughts of winter start to flow through my brain and depression starts to set in, only this year it seems to be taking over sooner. It's 6:30 and it's almost completely dark. I had to dig out a heavy sweater today to take the dog out. It was 47 degrees this morning and it's not even Oct. yet.

I hate winter. I have always hated winter. Truthfully it is not so bad since I retired because I don't have to go out if I don't want to which is the cause of my boredom. I don't go out most winter days. Why I have stayed in Chicago my whole life has always been a question I can never answer except for family. I have said because I don't drive, Chicago is a great place to live. Public transportation in Chicago allows me to go most every place I care to go. And because I have always been a chicken, I was always intimidated with thoughts of going way from the comfort of home alone.

For the last two winters nothing kept me indoors. Snow, sleet, ice were no obstacle for me to overcome when I was out there campaigning for Barack Obama. In Iowa in December, knocking on doors in four feet of snow. Canvassing, working at the volunteer headquarters, phone banking, winter didn't stop me. Boredom was not in my vocabulary.

I wish I could find something that I believed in as much. I wish I could find something I could learn so much from as politics, I knew very little. I wish I could find something that I could meet so many wonderful and exciting people as I did then. That's the cure for boredom. I keep looking.

AN OUTSTRECHED HAND

Doing a good deed can really help someone who needs it whether it is just an act of kindness, a monetary handout or a friend to turn to in need. I have always known that when you do something nice for someone it makes you feel good also. As most of you know I have been volunteering since I retired 3 1/2 years ago but this week-end event just made my heart soar.

Our little group decided a few weeks ago to have a school supply drive. Four of us worked really hard passing out change jars in the local businesses, calling friends, family and neighbors for donations. We contacted one of the local schools who really needed help. They are in one of the poorest districts in our area with one of the lowest income per family around. The principal supplied us with a list needed for each grade and off we went.

On Saturday we collected the cans, stacked up the donations and counted out all those pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters and ended up with over $400.00. Pretty good for so little time and not many volunteers.

Sunday two of us split the money and hit the stores looking for the cheapest prices we could find.

Now anyone that knows me at all finds this very strange because I hate to shop. I avoid stores like I avoid being in a car. If there is an alternative I take it but this was different. It was for the kids. It put a smile on my face just thinking about those kids. Plus it wasn't my money I was spending.

Because it was only two days before school started most of the stores were all sold out so it took many many stores to spend all our money. Thanks Kim for being so patient in driving me around all Sunday morning. But finally every penny was spent. I had to con a few managers to overlook the 3 limit allowance, "after all I could be spending a few hundred in your store."

Three carloads were delivered to the school on Labor Day morning and it was truely a labor of love. If only more people would extend a hand just think how many smiles there would be on so many faces. Coming up winter clothes drive, food drive. Who knows maybe a few more will put out a helping hand. They don't know what they are missing.