54 wings a flapping

Here's a cool guy. Mr. Pete Dubacher. He runs a bird sanctuary in Petersburgh, N.Y.

The sanctuary is located on 20 acres and has been in existence for 33 years. He has taken in and cared for over 1500 birds which represent over 100 different species. The birds are either brought to him injured or relinquished by the owners.

He has a bird that was injured in the Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska. Her name is Veronica. He also has a bird that was injured by an airplane in Moab, Utah. He's the General. Even though they were in captivity, they had offspring. Then the little guys were released into the wild through the Fish and Wildlife Department in Vermont. Right now, they are flying over Lake Champlain. Oh sigh. That does my heart good.

Here is a man DEVOTED to these animals. He has put the word out that he will take injured birds from the Gulf Coast. Maybe in some years we will all read about birds that were able to be released back into the wild due to his love and care.

At any time he has some of the following birds: pheasants, hawks, ducks, owls, cranes, pigeons and parakeets.

He also has a botanical garden on the property, with hundreds of plants and exotic flowers. They welcome exotic plants that need a good home.

You can visit!!!! It's only 8 bucks to enter. I think 8 bucks is nuttin' to get to see what Pete has accomplished. And I know you know that when you have given yourself to a labor of love such as this, moola is always welcome and well spent.

Directions and oodles of other info are on the website. http://www.birdparadise.org.

It's in Grafton, N.Y. Which is where I was married. Which is a gorgeous drive and now has a terrific destination at the end of it. Let me know if you go and I'll do the same.

53 to the power of infinity pairs of shoes

Oh my. This is a good one. Have you heard of http://www.soles4souls.org ? Oh my. It's a Nashville based charity that collects shoes from footwear companies and people like us. They distribute them to people in need all over the world. From the United States to Kenya to Nepal. Since 2005 they have given over 10 million pairs of shoes. TEN MILLION PAIRS OF SHOES!!! That is quite a track record. (oh dear, another shoe pun, so sorry.)

They have locations where you can drop off shoes. Just type in your zip code. Easy. Or you could ship them to one of 4 warehouses in the Midwest-ish area, Nevada and Alabama. Figure on a dollar a pair for shipping.They even accept half pairs. They just ask that the shoes are gently worn. Meaning, would you still wear them yourselves?

People organize shoe drives through their business, church organizations and schools. Or, you could host your own shoe drive. Oh man does that sound like an ultra blast to me. Collecting shoes and organizing them. Sounds like a day in heaven. They take all types of shoes: sneakers, sandals, flip flops, heels (heels!) work boots, cleats and don't forget half pairs.

Check out the website. It's inspiring and informative.

My mind will hold on to this idea for a long time. I'm already spinning the turbines for my own shoe drive. WHEEEEE.

52........I love playing cards

The other day I was listening to my friend Elton John. I haven't listened to him for awhile but, DANG, the man is awesome. Think about how lucky we all are that Elton and Bernie Taupin became musical partners. Really. Bernie wrote the lyrics and Elton furnished the music. Did you know that? Imagine being handed pages and pages of words and having the soul to bring forth the melodies for:

This Song Has No Title, Grey Seal, Burn Down The Mission, Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, Your Song. And on and on.

I don't know where that prowess and inspiration and heart comes from. I kinda don't care. I just love it.

Me hearts Elton and Bernie.

51 hundred thousand million heads of lettuce

Have you guys heard of Olivia's Organics? It's a company that sells DEELICIOUS organic greens. Lettuce and the like. Their website is great, http://www.oliviasorganics.org. Here you'll find mucho info about them and what they believe in.

They have donated to 16 different charitable organizations, one of them being the Cam Neely Foundation ( and I expect some of you Massachusetts people to know who he is.) On the inside of their packaging lids, (not containing any of the cooty BPA) you can read about different organizations they help.

I really like what they say on their food safety page. "From the field to the fork, we follow a series of meticulous procedures to help safeguard our products and their wholesomeness. "

They've got recipes and coupons are available to download as well.

Don't you love supporting the people who support the people?