Author: ktnorlander

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Make a Difference

Make a Difference: Get Outside

Lake Itasca
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. — John Muir

When my daughter was in elementary school, we stopped at the visitor center for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, where we checked out a backpack to use as we explored the river. One of the items in the backpack was a trash bag. Unfortunately, it took us little time to fill it with tangled fishing line and other waste.

Our world is awe-inspiring and filled with beauty, but it needs advocates to clean up trash, to fight for the protection of wild places, and to take action in the face of global warming. If we go from car to office to car to store to car to home, hardly spending any time outdoors, we forget about how valuable nature is, and how important it is to protect it.

I started writing this post during a glorious fall, when I took frequent long walks. I set it aside for posts that seemed to be more important at the time, and then, as the days grew shorter and colder and the sidewalks became icy, it felt wrong to blog about something I’d stopped doing. I hate winter. I think Dante must be right — hell is frozen at its core. It’s hard to make myself get in the car to go anywhere, let alone go outside for a walk.

But now the days are lengthening, and we’ve been blessed with a January thaw. I really miss my outdoor time, so I think it’s time to try to venture out for walks again. Nature is good for my soul. This is one of the reasons why we need to get outside: to remind ourselves of what nature can do for us and to give back to it by doing what we can to protect it.

As a working mom, I know how hard it can be to fit in “extras” like walks outdoors. Our days our filled with things that need to be done — work, housework, maybe parenting or tending to aging parents, perhaps taking a class or pursuing a side gig. There never seems to be time to spend just enjoying nature, and when we have time, we’re so tired that we just want to collapse with a book or a screen and escape for a while.

Make the time anyway. Take time this week to walk through a park, ramble in the desert, stand at the edge of a beach… whatever you can do to connect with nature.

And if it’s miserable outside where you are and you have no desire to leave your house, I sympathize. It’s hard to enjoy nature when it’s dark and your cheeks are numb. But on that first nice day, whether it’s tomorrow or a month from now, get outside and breathe in the beauty of nature.

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Something Wonderful

Something Wonderful: Rare Silk

Rare Silk

If you were a jazz aficionado during the 1980s, you’ve probably heard of Rare Silk, although they only released three albums between 1983 and 1986. Along with Manhattan Transfer, they were considered one of the best jazz vocal groups at the time.

I only recently learned the history of the group when I ran across an article on what one of the founding members, MaryLynn Gillaspie, has been doing recently. Rare Silk started out as a trio of women who sang jazz standards with Benny Goodman, but eventually they added a male member, changed their style, and landed their first record contract with Polygram. The album, the Grammy-nominated New Weave, was my introduction to the group, and it is to my great sorrow that Polygram hasn’t seen fit to rerelease it. New Weave is their most traditional album, and there’s not a bad song on it. Their take on Freddie Hubbard’s “Red Clay,” which earned them one of their two 1984 Grammy nominations, is one of my favorites, but they also do wonderful interpretations of jazz standards like “Lush Life” and “Spain.”  I also love their bubbly version of “Joy,” an instrumental work to which group member Todd Buffa added lyrics.

The group became more adventurous with American Eyes, also nominated for a Grammy. Perhaps the most impressive song is “Watch What Happens,” originally from The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. They start the song with a wordless note, moving through seemingly random sounds into a percussion-like rhythm before the melody comes in and the group starts singing. It ends almost as it began, becoming percussive again and coming to a close with the same wordless note. Their interpretation of “Round Midnight” is also beautifully done.

One year later, they came out with their final album, Black & Blue. While they didn’t avoid using synthesizers in previous albums, this one is so synth-heavy that it sounds dated. It takes less than 10 seconds of the first song to know you’re listening to an album from the ’80s. The song “Argot” is particularly disappointing; the vocals take a back seat to the music, and the song ends much like “Watch What Happens.” The album isn’t horrible. I like “Playback” a lot, and the short and aptly named final song, “Over,” is excellent. But Black & Blue doesn’t live up to the quality of their first two albums, and I haven’t bothered to buy it.

The band broke up a couple of years after the third album was released — a huge loss to the jazz world. Manhattan Transfer has been around decades longer than Rare Silk, and they are a prolific group, but I’m not convinced that any of their output, wonderful as it may be, can best the first two Rare Silk albums.

If you want New Weave, you’ll have to get a used copy on CD or vinyl, but you can get American Eyes and, if you wish, Black & Blue, digitally. If you are a jazz lover (or even if you aren’t!) and you don’t know Rare Silk, you owe it to yourself to get acquainted.

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Make a Difference

Make a Difference: Reduce the Amount of Plastic You Use

plastic

 

Plastic is wonderful; it’s lightweight and durable.

Unfortunately, its durability is a problem. Throw it away (many of us, myself included, do just that with at least some of the plastic we use), and it just sits around. Plastic in our water is a particular concern, and reports about the amount of plastic in the ocean and the damage it does are alarming.

We even put some plastic directly in the water without throwing anything away. Currently, you can buy facial scrubs with exfoliating microbeads made out of plastic. Rinse your face, and the beads wash down the drain. They can eventually end up in our waterways. The good news is that a law was passed in late 2015 requiring the beads to be phased out by mid-2017, so this should no longer be a problem in the near future.

But that’s not the only source of tiny pieces of plastic entering our water. When we wash synthetic fabrics, microfibers can wash out of our clothes and, since they are not trapped in water treatment plants, they can end up in lakes and rivers.

What do we do about all of that plastic?

Besides recycling what we do use, one of the best things we can do is to move away from using so much plastic in the first place. There are people who are trying to lead completely plastic-free lives, and I admire them for it. It does require a great deal of commitment. But there are small steps you and I can take to at least reduce the amount of plastic in our lives — and if you want to take on the challenge of going completely plastic-free, there are some great online resources to inspire you.

I am far from being a role model for plastic-free living, but here are some things I have done that have made a small difference:

  • When I can choose between an item in a glass bottle and an item in a plastic bottle and the items are equal in terms of quality, I choose the item in the glass bottle, even if it costs more.
  • Also, I try to give preference to natural fibers when shopping for clothes (not always easy to do).
  • I have purchased reusable bags for sandwiches and snacks. They aren’t completely plastic-free, but they reduce our use of plastic baggies in lunches.
  • Last year I was very good about cooking up large batches of soup and putting individual servings in glass canning jars. Just thaw the jars ahead of time, and you can heat up the soup when you’re ready for lunch!
  • I try to remember to bring reusable cloth bags to the grocery store, and if I forget, I try to request paper bags. If I get plastic bags (including not only shopping bags but also bread and produce bags), I try to reuse them to pick up after my dog. That said, there are plastic-free alternatives to cleaning up dog poop, which I should make it a goal to try.

Something I haven’t tried but recently heard about: alternatives to plastic wrap that use beeswax. I’m also interested in Smile Squared toothbrushes. Although the bristles are nylon, the handles are bamboo, and the company gives away a toothbrush to a child in need for every toothbrush purchased.

I still have many ways to reduce my plastic consumption, but I’ve made a small start. Consider joining me (and maybe surpassing me!) as we work to end the problem of plastic pollution.

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Something Wonderful

Something Wonderful: Children’s Books About Strong Princesses

Books about strong princesses, including Cinder Edna

 

A couple of years ago, I participated on the “Do we really need princesses anymore?” panel at CONvergence. I came in pro-princess (in fact, I don’t remember a lot of “anti-princess” sentiment), arguing that there are strong princess role models for children in many books. The fact is, for some reason, lots of girls are going to gravitate toward princesses. I’m not going to try to guess at all of the reasons this is so, though I think it is fair to argue that our culture encourages it. I simply believe that it’s okay to let our children dream of princesses. Let’s just make them heroic characters in their own right.

I brought a list of children’s books that feature strong princesses, and I received the thrill of my life when (1) I realized I was sitting next to an author I admired, and (2) she told people to come up and take my list, because it was a good one.

A few of my readers may have seen my list, but because I believe that many have not, I am sharing it here. All of these books are worth reading, and I’ve indicated my particular favorites. The list is slightly updated from the original list I shared at CONvergence.

Strong Princesses in Literature for the Young, the Young-at-Heart, and Their Families

Picture books

The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamliton – Although in many ways very pink, sparkly, and girly, this fairy-princess obsessed girl also contradicts others’ views of fairy princesses.

The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett – An infant princess and piglet are accidentally swapped, and the princess is raised in poverty by loving parents.

The Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke – A princess learns to be a knight and wins her own hand in marriage in a tournament.

Princess Pigsty by Cornelia Funke – Bored of being a princess, Isabella rebels. She is eventually banished to the pigsty, where she is very happy.

Princess Grace by Mary Hoffman – A princess-obsessed girl redefines princesses – for herself and her community.

Cinder Edna by Ellen Jackson – Contrasts Cinderella, pitiful, helpless, and shallow, with Cinder Edna, practical, fun, and capable. Their princes are very different, too! (One of my favorites)

Princesses Are Not Quitters! By Kate Lum – Three princesses decide to be servants for a day. After their hard day, they make life easier on their servants… and they continue to do many of the chores.

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch – A dragon burns down Elizabeth’s castle (also destroying her clothes) and carries off her betrothed, Prince Ronald. Wearing a paper bag, she rescues Ronald, only to discover he’s not worth the trouble. (Another favorite)

Sleeping Bobby by Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne – A gender-neutral, otherwise very faithful retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Prince Bob is Sleeping Beauty, gifted with kindness, courage and modesty, “qualities that anyone might wish for and admire.” He is rescued by an unnamed princess who shares his virtues. (Also one of my favorites)

Part-time Princess by Deborah Underwood – An ordinary girl turns into a princess at night. In frilly dresses, she regularly saves her kingdom from disaster. (Yet another favorite)

Easy readers

The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale – A perfect princess and her supposed unicorn are secretly a monster-fighting duo. Since I first put it on this list, Hale and Hale have added more books to the series: The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party and The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde.

Comic Books and Graphic Novels

Princeless by Jeremy Whitley – This series has a diverse cast of characters and some very funny moments (my favorite bit occurs early in the series, when a female is trying to choose armor). It now includes a spin-off series, Raven: The Pirate Princess. I have one caveat: Someone once said to me, “I wish all of the men [in the series] weren’t evil.” At the time, I didn’t agree that the books were anti-male, but having read a couple of Raven volumes, I understand what that person meant. Some people reject feminism because they think that feminists believe all men are awful. I strongly disagree with that view of feminism, but Whitley manages to reinforce the stereotype in a scene in which Raven selects her crew.

Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale – Rapunzel in a Weird West universe

Wonder Woman – Need I say more? I especially enjoy the first six volumes of the New 52 Wonder Woman series (Blood, Guts, Iron, War, Flesh, and Bones).

Books for Older Children and Teens

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson – The princess is strong, but the author’s attempt to write a body-positive story hasn’t gone over well with some people. There are more books in the series, but I haven’t read them.

The Goose Girl and The Princess Academy series by Shannon Hale – All of these books feature strong female characters, including princesses. There is a heavy emphasis on romance.

Dealing With Dragons by Patricia Wrede – Funny book featuring a princess who is definitely a role model. There are more books in the series, but I haven’t read them all. (A favorite)

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Make a Difference

Make a Difference: Plan to Celebrate Some Minor Holidays in 2017 (part 2)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Day is a minor holiday
Celebrate National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day by baking for someone.

This is the continuation of last week’s post on minor holidays.

July 30, The Feast Day of William Wilberforce, Olaudah Equiano, and Thomas Clarkson

I’m not sure when the Anglican Church chose to commemorate these three abolitionists, but they are included on its calendar of saints. You don’t have to be an Anglican or Episcopalian to celebrate their work. Here are some suggestions:

  • Take the time to learn more about these men and the abolitionist movement in England.
  • Watch Amazing Grace. Although, like pretty much all films based on history, it bends the truth to make a better movie, it will still teach you a lot about British efforts to abolish slavery.
  • Educate yourself about slavery today and make a pledge to take an action to fight it — through refusing to buy certain products, through making a donation to an anti-trafficking organization, or through educating others about slavery.

August 4, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

There’s very little I need to say. If you have time to bake a batch of cookies and deliver them to someone who would appreciate them, you can celebrate this day in a way that will make a difference in someone’s life.

September 4, Labor Day (United States)

Labor Day was originally established as a day to honor American laborers, but over time it has become a farewell to summer, full of picnics and sales. How do we celebrate in a way that makes a difference, especially when much of the work the day was intended to honor falls in the area of rapidly dwindling occupations? Here are some ideas:

  • Resolve to show respect to all workers, no matter what their occupation. Whatever your own job may be, make it a point not to look at people in other occupations as less hard-working or capable or otherwise beneath you. If their job is necessary, then their labor is valuable.
  • If you go someplace on Labor Day where tipping is allowed or encouraged (a restaurant, coffee shop, or spa, for instance), tip generously in recognition of an employee’s hard work.
  • Support laws that allow all American workers to take paid time off. There are no laws that require American businesses to provide paid time off, including parental leave or sick time, much less vacation time. This hits people in poorly paid jobs the hardest.
  • Consider buying locally made products more often to support the economy in your area.

October 4, The Feast of St. Francis

Francis of Assisi was known for embracing poverty and for treating all of creation as his family. Because of his love for animals, some churches hold a blessing of the animals around October 4. Whether or not you recognize him as a saint, you may want to choose to use his feast day to show your own love for animals.

  • If you choose to eat meat and animal products, be willing to pay more to support more humane methods of farming. I know someone who is trying to get to the point where she can trace the meat she uses back to the very animal it came from; she has developed relationships with farmers that allow her to do this. You may also choose to limit your consumption of animal products.
  • Look into what your local animal shelter can use and make a donation. Some shelters collect not only financial donations, which are of critical importance, but also items like old towels or empty toilet paper tubes.
  • If you are looking for a pet, please consider adopting a homeless animal. Far too many pets are euthanized or languish in shelters, because they are unwanted. Also, make it a point to spay or neuter your pets to prevent adding to the number of homeless animals. Even if you could give all of your kittens away, I can promise you that there are a number of cats at your local shelter that need good homes.
  • Take a walk and clean up trash. My child and I once borrowed a backpack from the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area office in St. Paul. Among its contents were a trash bag and a request to pick up trash along the river. We found a huge amount of fishing line that had just been thrown on the ground. Trash like that isn’t merely an eyesore, it’s dangerous to birds and other animals. Picking up trash can save an animal’s life.

November 24, Buy Nothing Day

I mentioned this “holiday” six weeks ago, but it is worth mentioning again, so you can decide well ahead of time whether or not you will celebrate it, particularly if Black Friday shopping is a tradition in your family and your decision not to participate could shock or upset some people. The point of Buy Nothing Day is to protest consumerism and a society built on pointless, wasteful, even harmful shopping. While some people use the day to engage in acts of protest at shopping malls, you can choose less radical ways to spend your day. REI encourages people to get outside for the day. If the weather where you are isn’t conducive to that, you might want to spend time with a loved one, baking, playing games, or watching a movie at home. The phrase “it’s not the presents, it’s your presence” isn’t just a cute saying.

December 26, Boxing Day

Boxing Day is celebrated in England and other countries that once belonged to the British Empire. It’s always the day after Christmas, but precisely what its origins are is rather fuzzy. It could now be described as a British Black Friday… except for the fact that England has adopted America’s Black Friday sales, so we’ll just say it’s a major shopping day with lots of sales.

Since one of the theories behind the origins of Boxing Day involves opening alms boxes for the poor, we could choose to celebrate December 26, no matter where we live, as a day on which to engage in charitable acts. Volunteer your time to prepare meals that will be shipped to starving children, give a donation to a nonprofit, or box up belongings you no longer use and donate them to a charity that will distribute them to others.

 

I’ve suggested only one minor holiday per month that you can use to make a difference in the world. An Internet search will produce at least one holiday for every day of the year. Your options for alternative celebrations are limited only by your creativity.

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Something Wonderful

Something Wonderful: Sample Days at TeaSource

TeaSource sample tray
TeaSource sample tray

I promised to limit the number of location-specific posts I write, and I plan to keep that promise. But occasionally I have to recommend something tied to a place, and this is one of those cases. If you drink tea and find yourself in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, you must take advantage of sample days at TeaSource on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Even without its sample days, TeaSource is a wonderful store for serious tea lovers. They sell well over 200 teas of all sorts, ranging from popular types of teas, such as black and green teas, to more unusual puer and dark teas. They offer classes covering everything from the history of tea to pairing tea with food. At the 2015 World Tea Expo they were named Best Tea Business. I’ve purchased some of my favorite teas from TeaSource.

The best days to visit the store are its sample days. For $5, you get a tray of five different teas. Every sample day has a theme. Sometimes the theme focuses on a variety of tea or a geographical area. Other times the theme might be “staff favorites” or “Halloween treats.” The samples are generous, so if you are caffeine-sensitive, you should try to go early in the day rather than a couple of hours before bed. Each tray includes a card that identifies the teas, and you can use the card to get a discount on any of the featured teas on the day they are offered as samples.

When I first decided to write this post, I tried to find similar sample trays at other tea shops for readers who live elsewhere. I’m sure they must exist somewhere, but I couldn’t find any. It’s too bad. If you have the chance to enjoy a sample tray at TeaSource or somewhere else, take advantage of it. A cup of tea is always a treat, but the chance to savor five different teas, comparing them and finding new favorites, is absolutely wonderful.

October 2018: TeaSource has replaced their sample trays with tea flights. Like the sample trays, the flights are based around a theme. Each flight is available for one week, Monday through Friday. Flights are $7 for three different teas. While I am sorry to see the sample trays go, I understand that businesses must raise their prices, and I definitely will try the new tea flights.

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Make a Difference

Make a Difference: Plan to Celebrate Some Minor Holidays in 2017 (part 1)

Pi Day is a minor holiday
What if you sold pies on Pi Day to raise money for a good cause?

If you’re a person who enjoys celebrations, particularly “alternative celebrations” that go beyond commercially promoted holiday activities, this post is for you. As you make plans for 2017, consider celebrating minor holidays in new ways and adding new holidays to your calendar. Today I’m proposing six suggestions for alternative celebrations through June. Next week I’ll cover the rest of the year with six more ideas.

January 16, Martin Luther King Day

For many Americans this is a cherished day off. We’re still a bit exhausted from the stretch of holiday celebrations that start on Thanksgiving and continue through New Year’s Day, and even if we had a week or so off around Christmas, we find it hard to get back into the swing of “ordinary life” in January. Like many people, I tend to give into the temptation to use MLK Day as a day to get things done outside of work or simply a day of play. But there are mindful ways to celebrate, which can help change our hearts… and the world.

February 4 and 5, Souper Bowl of Caring

Started by a Columbia, South Carolina, church youth group in 1990, Souper Bowl of Caring encourages people, particularly youth, to devote Super Bowl weekend to service (on Saturday) and giving (on Sunday). You can check out the official Souper Bowl of Caring website to see if you can join a service project and contribute to a collection in your area, or you can just arrange to serve at and give to nonprofits of your choice.

March 14, Pi Day

I’m all for eating pie on Pi Day, but I really like an idea on the We Are Teachers website: Use Pi Day to raise money for charity, either by selling slices of pie for $3.14 each or by raffling off the chance to throw a whipped cream pie at a volunteer. The fundraiser they suggest is for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is certainly a worthy cause, but I’d like to suggest that the money raised be used to help fund a math scholarship instead.

April 22, Earth Day

First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day is a day to focus on the environment. There are countless ways to observe it, among them:

  • Commit to one small change in your life that will make a positive difference, such as composting, driving less, or eating more meatless meals.
  • Volunteer for an environmentally focused project.
  • Pick an important environmental issue (the Natural Resources Defense Council suggests some on their “Get Involved” page) and call elected officials about it.
  • Take a kid — your own, a niece or nephew, or a child you’re mentoring — to a state park and share your love of nature with them.

May 1, May Day

As well as being International Workers’ Day, May 1 is a spring holiday with pagan origins that is celebrated under different names, including Beltane. From that holiday came the tradition of leaving May baskets for friends and loved ones to discover. When I was a kid, May baskets were a big deal to me. I made the baskets out of paper cones, and on at least one occasion I used a plastic berry basket. I always filled the baskets with flowers from our yard, which could be a challenge; I remember that when I lived in the D.C. area, it seemed like some years many flowers were already done blooming when May Day rolled around. When leaving a May basket for someone, the object is secrecy, so I’d sneak up to the target’s door, put down the basket, ring the bell, and then run and hide.

I asked my mom if she was the one who encouraged us to make May baskets, and she didn’t remember doing that. She believes my sister and I read about it somewhere. However I first got involved, the May basket tradition was something I cherished, and I carried it on with my own child for a while when she was young.

The practice of leaving May baskets has largely died out, but there are people calling for its revival. I’ll add my voice to the chorus. A simple basket of flowers can bring so much joy that it seems a shame not to take the time and trouble to celebrate May Day in this way.

June 1, Dare Day

You can find celebrations for pretty much everything, including, apparently, a day on which to take on challenges. Why not use the day to dare yourself to do something meaningful? Speak up about something you believe in; donate time, money, or belongings in a way that stretches you; or make a change in your life that is challenging but that will make the world a better place. Think of something that makes a difference that you’ve never dared to do before and pick this day to do it!

Check out part two of this post.

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Something Wonderful

Something Wonderful: Slate’s Wonder Week

Stevie Wonder is the focus of Slate's Wonder Week
Photo by Alan Light

As I wrote in a previous post, I want to use the “something wonderful” series to introduce readers to things they may not know about. That means that, despite the fact that I think Stevie Wonder is a musical genius, I didn’t feel I could add him to my list of possible topics. But last week Slate gave the world a gift in the form of Wonder Week, which gives me an excuse to write about Wonder anyway.

Wonder Week was conceived after Prince’s death, when Slate staff members decided it would be good to pay tribute to a musical genius while he or she was still alive. Their pick was none other than Wonder, and I couldn’t be happier about their choice.

My own appreciation for Wonder blossomed only recently. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know or enjoy his music. I even bought one of his albums when I was a teen. (I’d love to claim it was one of the ones from his classic period, but I’m afraid it was In Square Circle, which I bought because I was very into the schmaltzy song “Overjoyed.”) But I sort of took him for granted.

Then I experienced something akin to the rom-com trope where the protagonist realizes that they’ve been in love with their best friend all along. You know: All this time I’ve been chasing after X, and I’ve been taking you for granted! But you… you’ve always been there for me. How could I have been so blind? 

In Wonder’s case, I read an interview with someone — I can no longer remember who — in which that person proclaimed Wonder a musical genius, and I found myself thinking, “Of course.” I started checking his music out from the library and once again buying it for myself, this time paying more attention to his peak years than I had when I was a teen. I noticed things about his music and the way others responded to it. I was in a consignment shop when “My Cherie Amour” came on. Not one of us in the store remained unaffected. We sang or hummed along; we danced a little (even though it is not a particularly “dance-y” song). Another time Sting’s “Brand New Day” came on the radio, and I found myself thinking, “The harmonica player has to be Stevie Wonder,” because his playing was so distinctive. Wonder’s music had always been very present in my life, but suddenly I’d gone from just enjoying the music to being a fan.

So of course I was very excited when Slate unveiled their week-long tribute to Wonder. I learned that he is a great drummer, and I was introduced to the Black “Happy Birthday” Song and the story behind it. I reveled in an essay written in appreciation of Wonder’s “Fozzie Bear voice,” and I discovered that the type of harmonica he uses is one reason his playing is so distinctive. I came away with an even deeper appreciation for a musician I already greatly admire.

So, yes, I’m endorsing a man who doesn’t need my endorsement: Stevie Wonder. But whether you are one of his fans or just find yourself tapping your foot to his music without stopping to think about what an amazing musician he is, you’ll find Slate’s Wonder Week worth your while. You’ll come away with new insights, and if you aren’t already in love with him, this just might be the push you need.

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Make a Difference

Make a Difference: Have a Freezer Meal Ready

Soup is a great freezer meal.
Making soup? Freeze some to have on hand for someone who needs it.

Sometimes the greatest gift you can give is a meal. And sometimes the easiest way to do that is to have one ready in your freezer.

I first realized how valuable this sort of thing is when I was a new mom. About three months before my due date, I was placed on modified bed rest, which meant I was supposed to stay off my feet as much as possible. Later this was changed to strict bed rest. I couldn’t make and freeze meals as I had planned to do during my last trimester.

The baby came and so did a stream of helpful family members and friends. And then, four weeks after our child was born, the flow of out-of-town visitors stopped… but we still needed help. Our baby was waking up several times a night, typical of a one-month-old. My husband was working full-time but trying to move into a new career field, so one bad week I was alone for 12 hours each day from the time he left for work until the time he got home. I was tired and felt like I was constantly nursing. I became very familiar with fast-food drive-throughs. If someone had brought me a meal at that point, it would have been manna from heaven. The fact that that did not happen made me resolve to try to help others by bringing them meals when they were in need.

Frankly, having a freezer meal handy is a great way to help yourself on a hard day, and there is nothing wrong with that. But freezer meals are also useful to give to others. If you make and freeze meals when you have time, you’ll be prepared when you find out someone you know is in need.

And there are times when people might prefer to receive a freezer meal instead of something straight from your oven. Some years after our child was born, she was hospitalized for a couple of days. A friend of the family brought us a complete meal. It was incredibly thoughtful, but we were spending most of our time at the hospital with our child, so we didn’t eat the meal until after she was released. Because she was only in for a short period of time, that wasn’t a big deal, but it demonstrates why it’s a good idea to ask ahead of time if a family can use a meal. If they can, you could arrange to drop a fresh meal off at a certain time. Otherwise a frozen meal (or one that can be frozen) allows the recipient to take advantage of your thoughtfulness when they most need it.

I wish I could tell you that, given my experience as a young mother, I always have at least one meal ready to give away at any time. That’s not the case. But I have gifted different people with freezer meals over the years, and I plan to continue to do so as often as I am able.

The next time you cook something that can be frozen, consider doubling the meal, and then set aside half to give away to someone else. If the meal has been in your freezer for a while and no one you know has needed it, you can always enjoy it yourself. You also might want to set aside time to batch cook meals for your freezer or, if you can afford it, use the services of a meal-preparation business, and set aside some meals to share with others.

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Something Wonderful

Something Wonderful: Never Cry Wolf

Never Cry Wolf

While I’ve never done movie marketing, I feel strongly that this Disney trailer for Never Cry Wolf doesn’t sell the movie well.

So I guess it’s up to me to convince you that it’s worth your while to watch it.

I’ve considered this to be among my favorite films since I first saw it in the 1980s. Part of the attraction is the main character, Tyler, who reminds me a little of a favorite uncle… and a little of myself. There are those of us who will resonate with Tyler’s introverted thoughtfulness. He’s one of those people who quietly observes the world, “a watcher of things” as he calls himself. Anyone who has felt as if they were “always watching others do and feel things I wouldn’t or couldn’t do myself” will identify with Tyler.

But my love for the movie goes far beyond the main character. Never Cry Wolf is every bit as visually stunning as director Carroll Ballard’s first feature film, The Black Stallion. Viewers are treated to sweeping shots of the arctic wilderness and, of course, lots of footage of wolves. Mark Isham’s score is a perfect match for the cinematography; it’s a shame that there isn’t even a snippet of his music in the trailer. Fortunately, the composer has shared his score on SoundCloud. Listen to the second track to hear how he managed to musically capture the essence of wolves’ howls.

The trailer does capture a little of the humor in the movie, although there are far better scenes than Tyler throwing crates of toilet paper out of a plane in an attempt to lighten the load. The movie isn’t a comedy, but like the book on which it’s based, it contains several comic moments. Perhaps it’s best that Disney didn’t share some of the funnier scenes; it means they’ll surprise you.

According to IMDB, one of the movie’s taglines is “A true story.” The quibble I hear most often about both the movie and Farley Mowat’s book by the same name is that the story isn’t particularly true. In 1973, a decade after the book’s publication, Mowat wrote that “it is my practice never to allow facts to interfere with truth.” I understand what he means. Stories that are not factually accurate can convey the truth. Mowat also said that Never Cry Wolf had started as a satire about bureaucracy, but “the wolf took the book right out of my hands.” Still, because there are people who feel misled, I wish the book had been published as fiction.

Continuing scientific research has revealed that some of the things Mowat thought were true about wolves aren’t so. None of this changes the value of Never Cry Wolf in fostering a love of and appreciation for nature, including wolves. For this alone, the movie is worth watching.

Never Cry Wolf is easy to find. Disney offers it on demand, and you can also purchase the DVD, get it through Netflix or, perhaps, borrow it through your local library. Hunt it down and take the time to enjoy it. Like me, you may decide that it’s among your favorite movies.