[OFB Cafe] windows (of opportunity)

[Donald Spoon]

Thanks Terrance, Rick.

I am not quite as "depressed" as I probably came across in my post. 
Depressed is the correct word, but it is NOT a "Clinical Depression" as 
in how the term is usually used. 
I am not ready for medication just yet!  Maybe "down" is a better term...

It happens to me about this time every year due to a confluence of the 
winter solstice (lack of sunlight) and a significant event for me in Jan 
1967. 
This "baseline" is modulated by other events like the economy, 
elections, holidays, family and the "slings of age". 
I always start perking up about the time the spring blooms and buds 
start to come out, which is right about now down here.

If you have ever seen Peter Sellers in "Being There" playing Chance, the 
Gardener (later morphed by others into "Chauncey Gardiner"), his words 
of wisdom about the cycle of the seasons seem particularly apropos.  As 
I go through this season of reflection, I once again realize how little 
I know now and knew then, and just how "lucky" I have been to have 
survived this long!  Spring is the season of re-vitalization, according 
to Chauncey, and it has been for me.

Good idea, Terrance!  A "project" is perhaps what we need to get our 
minds on other things... 

Here is something I became acquainted with last November:  
http://segs4vets.org/Disability
I attended the ceremony here in San Antonio, and came away seriously 
impressed with the mettle and courage of those disabled young veterans. 
I would imagine with NATO involvement in Afghanistan, there will be a 
need for similar programs beyond the US.
Regardless of your feelings on War, these young men and women need our 
help (and respect). 
This is one way...  The economy may hurt this particular effort, but the 
need is still there...

Question:  How can we continue to be "charitable" when our funds are 
drying up?  The Charities over here are in for a BIG hit, IMHO.

Submitted for consideration & debate.

Cheers,
-Don Spoon-