Any Knitters Out There?

A friend from Houston found this wonderful story in the Houston Chronicle today. Thanks, Worried American. I told you I'd probably steal it.

Here's an excerpt:

WASHINGTON — They started out just wanting to join a club, to gather in the cafeteria before school a morning a week, talk to their friends and learn to knit.

But for 80 third-graders at Westwood Elementary School in Friendswood, the knitting club has become so much more.

About 325 baby hats made at the school — and a quarter-million others donated by knitters and crocheters around the country — make a stop in Washington today en route to expectant mothers in Bangladesh and Malawi who may be able to increase their babies' chance of survival simply by covering their heads for warmth.

And 8-year-old Elizabeth Warwick is on her way to the White House, carrying a message from her classmates in Friendswood to the president of the United States: Learn to knit. Send yarn. Give more money to developing countries so little babies can stop dying.

What a simple idea. 8 and 9 year old kids learn to knit which in turn helps their language skills, their math, and their ability to follow directions. The wee caps are sent to children to improve their survival chances. It costs nothing except the price of the yarn and shipping.

We often wonder as parents or caretakers what we can teach our children about helping the less fortunate. Seems to me this is a good start.

In other news. This week is finally over. I need to replace all 4 tires at some point but my neighbor who works for a tire company gave me a usable tire which will get me through for a while. I'll stay off the freeway, I already combine trips as much as possible, and maybe I can get through a month with no extraordinary expense. The ordinary is bad enough.

Tim and I visited Carol yesterday. She'd had a bad day emotionally earlier in the week and I couldn't get in that day because of the tire. By the afternoon, some of her friends from her church had visited and she was feeling better.

I took her some of the snacks she enjoys and a couple of "message" t-shirts. She's doing okay, considering. She has the medical appointment in town next week. We'll keep that appointment just to find out what's going on and then if she feels like spending the night with us she can.

Rebecca and Rochelle have tentatively decided they prefer walking to riding the last bus in the afternoon. Today they came in at least 30 minutes earlier than they would have on the bus. I think I agree with them. They can still ride the morning bus of course but will walk from their middle school home which will eliminate both the afternoon buses since their transfer point is further from here (I checked) than their school.

They take a shortcut through the Mall, get a free drink of water at one of the fast food places, and a free sample of candy at See's. They already have the routine down to a science. It wasn't much of a punishment for Rebecca, was it.

Rebecca has improved so much this year. So far her only problems revolving around school (other than that one day of hookey) have been on or around that bus. Her other two drivers haven't complained. That doesn't mean I blame the driver. It means I know Rebecca's limits and I think too much time on buses at the end of the school day exceeded them. He does seem to be a little more strict than her other drivers but it's his bus after all. Perhaps he has to be because of the mix of kids on his bus. In any event, it often took an hour for the final bus to drop them off and then another ten or fifteen minutes to walk the rest of the way home.

I ended her grounding today and allowed the two of them to go to Rollerland for the once-a-month school special. Elcie and I went shopping at the Dollar store and then over to Barnes & Noble to annoy her Uncle Tim for a while. She bought valentine gifts for me, Ray, and her mom with her $ store money. Then she talked me out of a book at B&N. I laughed because I knew she'd do that. She selected an abridged version of Bram Stoker's Dracula. With my discount, it worked out to a little over $3.00 which wasn't bad. I don't know where her interest in Dracula, haunted houses, etc. comes from but at least she's reading.

B&N has started a Middle and High School reading club one night a month. They already have a club on Saturdays for the younger kids. Elcie seems interested. I'm not sure about the other two. They may be a little young - we'll see.

She had a raspberry drink called Bohemian Raspberry with a cookie. I had to explain the play on words - she's a little young for Queen although she's heard some of their music without knowing it. I know she's sung "We are the Champions" and "We Will Rock You" in elementary school.

It's okay. She doesn't understand the play on words with Cherry Garcia either. I had to explain it. Sometimes I feel so old.

Speaking of explaining, I shouldn't assume that everyone is familiar with Cherry Garcia. It's an ice cream produced by a company called Ben & Jerry's. All their flavors have odd names but Cherry Garcia after the leader of the Grateful Dead, the late Jerry Garcia, is probably their best known. Very good, a little out of my price range except for very special occasions.

Thanks to all of you for the comments. My internet has behaved for 3 days in a row. I may catch up eventually.

Please have a good thought and/or prayer for the people of Florida. I have blogging friends there as I'm sure many of you do and I keep checking back online to see if they've posted. I've survived one tornado, I never want to see another. Words can't describe the devastation and central Florida's was tragic with extensive destruction and loss of life.

Take care everyone and enjoy your weekend.