OT: 60 countries

Isn't it beautifully ironic, that those who have so little, are willing to give back and give so much?!

Sri Lanka is on that list of countries. They are still trying to recover from a tsunami and they give of themselves.

Around my somewhat affluent neighborhood, there are very well to do Americans who were sitting around the pool today, griping about the fact that not everyone could swim at one time because our YMCA allowed "those evacuees" to use our pool, without memberships and caused "overcrowding" of the pool. At first I cried. The more bitching I heard, the madder I got. I finally collected my son, who by that time was also upset, and prepared to leave - but I made it a point on my way out to let anyone within hearing distance know how ashamed I am to live in such a snotty community!

Yep, those who have little to give, give through the compassion of their hearts. Those who can spare plenty - aren't about to loosen their greedy tight fists!

I have been extremely proud, for the most part, to be a Houstonian the past few days. But as the days go by, I am also appalled at the "little minded people" that live in this town. I suppose that is true all over the USA.

Tina

Tina those little minded people are everywhere. Don't let them upset you or stop you or the other wonderful people from doing what you are. Know that what goes around comes around. Karma will fix 'em.

Hi, Tina, and it such sweet ironic news. I know about the little- minded people myself and just how selfish they can be, but then I meet people like you and KNOW that all will work out.

I have sent off an email letting those who need to know that I have a couple bedrooms that are available. I live in WA and just learned today that about 1000 people would be re-located to my state. I'm excited about the possibilities! I even have a new little puppy that can give special kisses to any kids or adults ;] that need them.

Donna in WA

What a sheltered live I lead. Well, with 8,500 gators, I expect to be sheltered from lots of ugly people. Please, Tina, let your son *know* that we are cloaked and covered in the goodness of others. We truly are. DD2 and her precious husband have 3 feet of mud in their home. Among many from out of state wanting to share anything they could, a young family of "giving angels" brought DD2 a case of chocolate Snickers today. They spent their Monday holiday driving to Mississippi to deliver someone a chocolate hug. What an example of love those folks set for their children. Polly

Do by example - what a great way to bring your children up - I certainly agree. I just wish that there was something as positive that I could do from the UK - anyone got any ideas? Apart from donate money to whichever organisation I decide of course - thats a gimme.

Suzie B (8,500 gators? let 'em loose on beurocracy!)

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned to you that a gator will do

*anything* for a marshmallow. When I visited Louisiana in 1991, we went out to the middle of nowhere, cruising along on a hydrofoil and fed the gators big white marshmallows. Eyes would skim the surface, jaws open - marshmallow gone. I'm glad your DD2 is enjoying all those marshmallows. Shall I send you a case of marshmallows?

-- Jo in Scotland

Prayer? It may sound trivial, and it might not be for everyone - but I'm finding that in many cases, it is what is most needed for some of us.

Prayers for Strength - for those who have lost everything, the strength and hope to go on. For those who are helping, the strength to help. Guidance - again, for those who don't know where to turn next or what to do next now that they have lost everything and guidance for those who have, and want to share, and those who have, and won't share. Understanding - of why this happened to them and that in the grand scheme, things will be better on the other side. Understanding, that while some may have homes, money and all their family members, others don't and they are scared, worried, anxious and desperate. Health - this is a biggie. Many survived and made it out - but now they are dying from starvation, dehydration, dysinteri heart attacks - the list goes on. People are still dying and they need their health more now than ever. Same is true for those working long hours to help recover, feed and house these people.

I could go on, as I am sure many others of you can too. I'm probably not one of the best Christians in the world - I'm not a fanatic and I'm not a preacher. But I do BELIEVE that there is a power higher than me that has a reason, that watches over, guides and protects and I do believe that it is up to each of us to have compassion for each other. Even if it is not money, not quilts or clothes or food or bottled water

- it is the compassion of our hearts Suzie that gives strength and hope to thousands who DON'T have it.

Your hope, compassion and prayers are worth far more than the guy down the street who wrote out a check and absentmindedly dropped it in the mail box so he could appease his guilt but not have to be bothered.

just my two cents worth, Tina, in Houston

I know what you mean Ms. Tina - but just remember - those are miserable and mean spirited people. Folks like we have here and you have happy full hearts because we are blessed with a giving heart. I'd much better live in your skin than the miserable carcasses of those around that pool.

Kewl!! Now that person knows how to give!! Chocolate Snickers!!

Well said, Ms. Tina - so very well said. Lets not forget to pray for all those heroes who are still rescueing people from those devastated areas. They need to know how much we support them. I heard on the news this morning that one of the firefighters committed suicide because he thought his family was gone. It was a mistake and his family was located safe and sound later. Another rescuer after working many long hours in deplorable conditions, seeing all the dead and dying and feeling hopeless also committed suicide. We need to let them know how much we value them and all that they do. There jobs are only going to get harder as the waters recede.

Very true Snigs. The same is happening here in Houston. As if there weren't enough dying from exhaustion, dehydration and general health problems, now there are those who are taking their own lives just because they have lost hope.

I can not stress enough, the importance of giving these people back their HOPE. It won't matter if they have a home, a car, a job or money in their pocket - if they lose HOPE that their future will be brighter.

Tina

I've only seen one hug block request. Are there more? I can't make a whole quilt quickly, but I can make some blocks. Debra in VA See my quilts at

Debra wrote:

I am making a {{HUG Quilt}} for a man who works with Dh but in the New Orleans plant. I sent an e-mail to Karen to be forwarded to the HUG list people but I guess I should post it here also for those who aren't on the HUG list but want to make blocks for Katrina Victim {{Quilts}. Here is my original e-mail....

Hi Guys, The company DH works for has a facility in the New Orleans area. The facility made it through OK but one of the guys who works there (we call him Little Mike) has lost his brand new home over in the Slidell - Bay St. Louis area. Mike and his wife had just moved into their home a few months ago and now, it's all gone :-*(. To make matters even worse, they lost their little newborn baby girl at the beginning of the year. Anyway, I am going to make them a {HUG Quilt} and will start work on it after I get back from Lizard Land in early October. I will have my needlework friends over for a marathon Sew-In and we will be making stack & slash blocks out of all that autumn color fabric I have been collecting for my own quilt (which I don't really need any longer because I have my very own {{Quilt}} made of autumn fabrics with lots of purple :-) ). I know many of you are working on quilts for the hurricane victims but if there is anyone out there who has the time and wants to send in a block for Mike's {Quilt} they will be greatly appreciated. My stack & slash blocks will be 8.5". You can send either 8.5" blocks or 6.5" blocks. I have plenty of fabric to make the {Quilt} but I thought it might be nice for Mike and his wife to have a few blocks included from people he doesn't know but who STILL care about he & his wife. Obviously, autumn colors would be best but anything will be accepted :-). Ideally, I would like to have enough Hug Blocks from some of you guys so that I could use them as a center panel. Corner blocks would work too so that I would end up with a "set" rather like the Breast Cancer Survivor Hug Quilt I made for my Needlework Group friend earlier in the summer. Again, I know many of you -- if not most of you -- are busy making quick quilts for the unbelievable number of hurricane victims. I will certainly understand if I only get a few blocks or even none at all. If you do send a block, please do so by 01 October. Again, autumn colors &/or purples are best but anything will be accepted. Block size is either 6.5" or 8.5" UNTRIMMED. I'm the one who likes to trim the blocks down to size with my own ruler so that everything is the same size (all rulers are *not* created equal -- LOL). Please remember that a border will be added to the smaller blocks. Thanks bunches & CiaoMeow >^;;^<

I forgot to add that you should put your city & state or country info on the block. Hug Recipients seem so pleased to see that blocks have come from all over the country and the world. Signing your name is up to you as I know some folks don't like to do that but a location name really is nice for the recipient. CiaoMeow >^;;^<

Hee hee! Yours was the only one I knew about, but it is good to post it here for those not on the hug block list. I'm sure there are some new readers or lurkers out there who would like to help but aren't able to produce a whole quilt themselves, and this is a great way to do that. Debra in VA See my quilts at