Ndagire Sarah walked the red dirt carpet in her perky hairdo and a beautiful blue and white gown. She carried herself like a rich lady in a gomesi, the formal dress of women in Uganda. When I saw her I was overcome with tears of joy. I had met Sarah in 2006 when she was so sick with HIV/AIDS that she could hardly breathe. She … Continue reading Deed for Life
Several of my friends and even my family think social networking is a waste of time. They won’t Facebook, Twitter or read blogs and can’t really understand what I get from it. I’ve found the most vehement opposition from my tango dancing mother and my friends who are cyclists. These are not ladies who exercise casually, but rather women who compete on the dance floor, do … Continue reading Favorite Friends I’ve Never Met
How good is this! KNBC overnight assignment editor Jacki Cisneros and her laid off husband Gilbert Cisneros win the Mega Millions Lottery. They spoke this morning to Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira on NBC’s Today Show from the Burbank studios after winning $266 million. Gilbert bought his lottery tickets at L & L Hawaiian Barbeque in Los Angeles, one of my favorite places. After they won she went to … Continue reading NBC Assignment Editor Wins Mega Millions Lottery
New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, who is one of the great advocates for women and the eradication of extreme poverty in the world, has written an article about BeadforLife and how people can get involved in the fight against global poverty. It is so exciting to have him as part of the bead circle. Hosting a bead party is a wonderful way to make a … Continue reading BeadforLife in New York Times
Many of you came to this blog to see the story of Juliette’s acid attack. Former model Katie Piper recently spoke to CNN in Great Britain about the brutal attack that changed her life. She is incredibly courageous and is now working to help others through her Katie Piper Foundation (http://www.katiepiperfoundation.org.uk/.) http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/01/12/uk.katie.piper.acid.attack/index.html For more information on Vicky Collins visit http://teletrendstv.com. Continue reading Acid Attack Survivor Katie Piper on CNN
Each year I vow to do things differently. Lose weight, cut down on the wine and Starbucks, stop worrying so much. But this year I resolve to look inward. Oliver Thomas suggests that’s the way to go in his column for “The Forum” in USA Today. A trifecta of resolutions that seem much wiser and easier to keep. http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/12/column-its-time-to-look-inward-.html For more information on Vicky Collins … Continue reading New Year’s Resolutions
My story on slum tourism or “poorism” has been chosen by Ode Magazine as one of its top 10 positive stories of 2009. It ran in the April travel issue. This is my first magazine article and it came as a result of stories I introduced on my blog. http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/62/slum-tours/ http://www.odemagazine.com/exchange/13599/ode_s_top_10_positive_stories_from_2009 For more information about Vicky Collins visit http://www.teletrendstv.com Continue reading Slum Tourism
Esther Heller tells me she used to be a dancer. She says she won competitions in Paris and Athens and even Kamchatka (although she no longer is certain where that is.) She used to teach dancing in Denver. Waltzes and Polkas and Fox Trots. She did it for free so people could learn to move their feet. But now Esther’s feet have betrayed her. Until … Continue reading Esther’s Last Dance
Abigail Van Buren who wrote the syndicated Dear Abby column for many years introduced me to the Thanksgiving prayer we say at our table. I love its simplicity and reminder that we need to keep in mind those less fortunate than we are as we count our myriad of blessings. This year, in our troubled world, let’s also be grateful to those who are different from us … Continue reading Thanksgiving Blessing
Dave Dahl sits in the living room playing guitar and singing songs about justice and the lack of it. He was in the slammer off and on for 15 years for dealing meth and assorted other felonies. Now he is working and relishing his second chance. Four years ago, Dave Dahl returned to the family bakery in Portland, Oregon and is the face and story … Continue reading Cons Cashing In
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