Give your heart to someone

(LuAnn Hunt / Upsplash)

Country Notebook

By Rogene 'Jeannie' McPherson

Journal columnist

Didn’t we just celebrate New Year’s Day and now it is February? My mother used to say, “time goes faster as you get older.” Not really true, but our perception of time changes. Don’t ask me to explain how this happens. I just know we are already more than 1/12^th through the year. The good news is that  I am still practicing one of my New Year’s resolutions.  Just wish I could have finished my desired plan in January. If time is going faster as I age, it’s a good reason to still be cleaning out closets, drawers, cupboards and anything that makes my life more complicated.

Next to my washer and dryer is a one-of-a-kind tiled sink for bathing my dogs. It was useful once upon a time, but is no longer needed for dog baths due to the size of my dogs and their disobedience. I value my fingers more than I value their cleanliness. 

The dog sink makes a terrific receptacle for dirty clothes and items I am just not ready to trash.  An example is whipped topping plastic containers I might just need for freezing soup, storing garden seeds, sorting bolts and nails, and/or collecting lint from the dryer. All useful intentions, but not necessary in the grand scheme of organization.

Not only did I clean and organize in January, but I did a lot of sewing too. As a child, I had more than one doll made out of empty “wooden” thread spools and elastic string. My kids would laugh me out of town if I made a spool doll for my grandkids.  I keep them anyway just in case a new idea comes in vogue using what are now plastic spools.  I’m keeping  my eyes open just in case there is an idea on the Pinterest app.

When I envisioned this story, I was planning to walk around my house and create a list of items like whipped cream containers and thread spools that ideally should just be recycled or thrown away. My list is becoming too long to publish, but please add newsletters, church bulletins, drinking glasses with a tiny chip and socks with a hole in at least one of the pair. I might find a sock useful for tying up a tomato plant, but what’s the reason if I don’t plant a garden?  I’ve likely given enough examples to make the case as to clutter versus tidy.

February is known for Valentine’s Day, hearts, love, and giving blood. That’s right, I said giving blood. The American Red Cross advertises February as a good month for donating blood.  The blood supply is often in short supply any month of the year, but especially when it’s too cold or snowy to attend a blood donation activity in the community. Think of it as giving away a small amount of blood one can live without to someone who desperately needs blood in their fight for life. Our bodies make about 2 million blood cells every second and it only takes a few days to a few weeks to replace what is donated.

Please do me a favor. If you can safely give blood, please do so for me. No, I’m not sick or having surgery, but I can’t give because of a medication I take daily. If possible, I would willingly give as often as safe to give, but since I can’t, I’m hoping this story is a way to alternatively contribute.  

Go to the American Red Cross website to find a site near you by simply putting in your zip code.  High schools often provide space for the Red Cross  to set-up. Students not only earn volunteer hours, but experience good stewardship that comes from the heart.

Copying a slogan from the Red Cross website, “Make a Date to Donate.” It will make your heart feel good.