Never Too Young to Change the World

The Driving for Donors bus came to Katonah Saturday in support of a drive to register bone marrow transplant donors. The effort was spearheaded by two local families afflicted with Leukemia both of whom have benefitted from bone marrow transplants. Both gentlemen had been in remission when their leukemia returned, and bone marrow transplants were the only means to save their lives.

The Driving for Donors campaign was begun last year by a 13-year-old Cuban-American boy, Pat Pendraja and his mother. Pat is currently in chemotherapy and will be until 2009. But, realizing that if the chemo didn’t work, Pat would need a bone marrow transplant, he and his mother embarked on a campaign to register 2,700 names in 2007. On December 7, he was one of six winners (out of 7,000 nominees) to be honored as a "CNN Hero" by Cable News Network, the national cable station. At that time he had amassed more than 5,000 signatures and raised $100,000.

Bone marrow transplants are a lot easier now than they had been in the past. All it takes is a cheek swab to add one’s name to the registry. Bone marrow collection no longer requires a spinal tap. The marrow is harvested from blood which is then returned to the donor. There are bone marrow registries in more than 50 countries.

I don’t know how many names were collected in Katonah, but when I stopped by, all four stations were occupied by donors, and there was a waiting line to register. It was refreshing to see many, many teenagers volunteering. There are some restrictions including an age limit of 55 years, so anyone who is interested should act before they age out of the system! For additional information click on the Driving for Donors link.

Thinker in Pink

I met this charming lady on Rue Meynadier, the pedestrian shopping mall in Cannes. For a while I wondered where her thoughts were. Once I saw the shoes in the background, I knew she was pondering which pair would best suit her bare feet. Although this was taken in April it seemed a fitting post for today, the first day of the first unofficial weekend of summer in the US. I also couldn't help but note that she is tan and thin. If she has a dog, and truly looks like it, she would have a Vizsla.

Floral Friday #2

This is one of the first roses to bloom from my parents' garden. It is from a bush that is as old as I can remember. Although I don't have the scientific evidence to prove it, I believe that today's hybrids are bred for one characteristic or another. They either look great or smell great or last long. But, in recent years, I have found the co-existence of all three qualities to be elusive at best. This rose is an exception to my unscientific belief. Last year, using mayonnaise jars as greenhouses, my dad created a few new bushes from this rose for my garden. I am waiting for it to bloom. Happy Long Weekend.

Happy 86th Birthday, Airman

Some days my Dad actually checks into City Daily Photo, and I hope he'll be surprised when he sees this. I'm sure this is not his favorite picture (that one's on the dresser in his and my mother's bedroom). But I think my Dad would be happy to have this photo honor his 86th birthday.

In the last year I've been scanning old family pictures and it's amazing how few there of dad, since he was usually the one behind the camera. Choosing one was hard because he seemed to be either very young or very old and neither seemed as good an interpretation of who he's been as this image.

He was a pilot who served in the U.S. Air Force toward the end of the war but never saw combat. I think he is most proud of being an airman and a good family man. And he is.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Obliviate

Sections of entry included: the “Elixer of Life,” “Portkey,” “Obliviate,” and “Goblet of Fire,” as The Ninth District of the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, Inc., (AKA regional garden clubs) presented its annual flower show this weekend themed to the Hogwart’s Express.

Like flowers, flower shows have their own complicated structure including Division; Section, Class, and finally Entry. This entry is from Division 1 Design: “Spells and Charms;” Section A: “Incendio,” Class 2, “Obliviate,” in which the design had to include “some components to be viewed through others.”

Other sections included “Reducio,” miniatures ranging from three to eight inches in height, and “Stupefy” featuring “Elixir of Life,” “Underwater Wizardry” and “Three Broomsticks.” Division 2, Horticulture, had eleven sections ranging from herbs to single stems and cut specimens, and some of the most delicious looking asparagus I’d seen in a long time.

First Floral Friday

After a hard week at work, everyone deserves some flowers. And, I will do my best to deliver every Friday (posting earlier than this for our friends to the east). This photo was taken probably a little more than a year ago when I first got my digital camera. Looking at it now, I wish I hadn't cut the tulip off, and it seems a little tipsy. But I still like it. All are from my garden. The tulips are tenacious survivors from bulbs planted some 10 – 15 years ago. They bloomed again this year.

An Inquiring Mind Needs to Know

This fellow is a blocking sled. Until this morning he had been wearing this sweatshirt, raising all kinds of questions in a bored mind attached to a body walking two red dogs. Why was he so dressed? Who selected his outfit? And, why that particular sweatshirt? Now, he appears to be reaching down to reclaim the sweatshirt. Oh, gracious, discarded pants and look at all this Gatorade! Was there a party last night? An inquiring mind needs to know and graciously accepts any thoughts.