Give blood

I have been struck by how many opportunities there are for spending money and it is unfortunate that it takes a disaster for people to reach deep in their pockets to pay for their compassion because the number of people falling below the poverty level in America has increased 17% since Clinton left office. As one Nicholas Kristof's Sept 6 NY Times op-ed, "The Larger Shame" showed that more infants died last year in Washington DC due to poverty than in China's capital.

No one is discussing blood. In some ways it is more valuable than money.

My husband and I went to give in our local Red Cross and learned that the LA
blood bank is critically low already and is so most of the year. In case of
an earthquake, we would be in dire states due to blood levels alone. On this anniversary of 9/11 when many of our fellow New Yorkers (my hometown) ran out to donate blood (I remember my mother talking about the line around the block at the Red Cross on 10th avenue) but many have never donated their blood since then. There are a lot of reasons people don't give:

• Most people don't think about the fact that blood is the only commodity to human beings that can not be bought or created(like medicine or food).

• Some people go to donate and they are turned away and never try again. Last time my husband went to give blood they turned him away since he had spent more than 6 months in Europe. But now it's a total of 5 years in Europe and he happily donated blood with me last week.

• For those who can not give blood there are other ways to assist, like volunteer to give out juice and cookies at the center. One of our friends has a blood disease that keeps her from giving, but she went with us and watched our son so we were both free to do so. For those who don't think they have the time, you can go to http://www.givelife.org/ and find a local blood drive or set up an appointment. I e-mailed a contact from the site and they called me back in a matter of minutes. Since we had an appointment it took less than an hour to go, give, drink our juice and cookies and go.

• Some think it doesn't help that much. I've been told that one pint of blood can save as many as three lives.

Vagabond Scholar

My friend, neighbor, and highschool classmate, has begun a blog to address many of the political (and otherwise) missteps that I, too, get crazy about. So, drop on by and enjoy: Vagabond Scholar

<

Ethan River is a toddler!

Yes, it's true. I'm still trying to fathom how I became the mother of a toddler while I was still becoming familiar with the idea of mothering a newborn. I have a cousin who marvelled at how there are so few efforts we put into learning as when we learn to walk. There are guaranteed scrapes, bonks, and bruises but we get up and try, try, again. Imagine if we had to learn math that way, or a new language. Many of us never become fluent in our own language (let alone how to figure 15% when dining out) and there are no bruises to bear.

Anyway, he took his first steps on April 4th and by April 6th he was walking far enough that his Grandpa proclaimed that it was time for a proper pair of shoes. Today he is toddling as the wind blows him and it is as if someone just hit the fast-forward button on him and, therefore, me (physically chasing him and emotionally as I am in awe of how fast he's progressing).

We're here!

We're here and ready to blog!