12:55 a.m. Can’t sleep.
In mid-December, I finally asked my doctor for a sleeping pill and he willingly complied with a prescription for Ambien. I am always reluctant to ask for any medicine like this (pain pills, too) for fear that the Narcotics squad will leap out from somewhere and nab me and I’ll be dragged off to the big house for good.
Ambien is a gift from God. If I remember to take the pill around 10 p.m., I am fast asleep by the time the 11 p.m. news is half over. Tonight, though, I waited longer than usual because Mark had instilled in me the fear of “home invaders.” There has been a rash of this type crime here lately and I had associated it with larger neighborhoods in town. Mark, however, got it into his head that precautions were needed in our home, especially when he is out somewhere (e.g., Waffle House). Following are some of his prevention and response measures:
- keep the doors locked at all times.
- don’t smile and open these doors if strangers approach. Do not offer cold drinks and/or coffee, tea.
- in case of emergency, press my “life alert” button.
Now I am worried, seeing in my mind’s eye truckloads of interlopers peeling up our dead-end dirt road, creeping up on us through the cemetery behind the house, or lowering themselves on bungee cords from the overhanging trees.
In the unlikely event that our house would be selected for such a melee, I would be most likely to press my “life alert” buzzer. It makes a god-awful noise and a very authoritative individual intones, “Miss Sullivan, are you all right”? Depending on my answer, the voice dispatches police, ambulance, fire department, or a pleasant greeting. The voice always requires my password as an identity check. If the password is incorrect, the police are immediately summoned. The voice remains in contact until emergency personnel arrive. I have had to call them several times over the past year for medical issues and they are prompt and comforting.
When I was in Crownpoint, NM, I never worried about burglaries or criminal elements. Never locked the doors. Never locked the truck and, in fact, I used to stash my car keys under an empty Diet Coke can in the console. Once, some friends borrowed the truck and left me a note explaining. Picked up all manner of hitchhikers. Hollered “come in” whenever there was a knock on the door. Our newspaper deliveryman, Mark H, once sat in the living room and conversed with me while I was soaking in the bath tub. Nothing seemed out of whack.
Preparing for the possibility of “home invaders” seems out of whack. I look around and don’t see anything of extreme value, but Mark says the electronics (one computer, one TV, one 10-year-old Bose stereo) would be enticing. Well, if any of these folks is that desperate, I would be happy to help carry the junk out for them. And make them some sandwiches for the road.
Times are hard and appear to be getting even harder. In honor of MLK Day, the largest local food Bank, MANNA, had a huge food drive. Looks like they made out well, too. Having become familiar with food drives, I have made some observations that might be useful when you are selecting items to donate. This is the “Hints from Heloise” portion of the letter!
Most people go for items that will feed families with children, like cases of macaroni and cheese, large cans of ravioli, Beef stew, big cans of soup, and so on. This is great. But, let’s not forget the less prominent recipients of food banks: the elderly and those with chronic illness (like diabetes). Following are some suggestions:
- Choose canned veggies that are labeled “low sodium” or “reduced salt.”
- Choose staples in small containers that are easier for the elderly to open and lift, such as mayo, mustard, ketchup.
- Pick up some sugar-free jelly, jello, and puddings. Don’t forget sugar-free “sugar” packets.
- Choose regular size tea bags.
- Some coffee companies now make coffee singlets, kind of like a tea bag for coffee. These only require boiling water and a mug to prepare. Nice for older people who may be living alone.
- Choose items that do not require the addition of other ingedients that the recipient may not have on hand. Mac & cheese is a great example of this. The box kind needs milk and butter or oil to complete. A few cents more and the meal can be made directly from a box containing noodles and a small can of cheese sauce).
- Know the group for whom the food is being targeted. In some cultures, canned tuna or salmon are not eaten.
- Consider donating non-food items. Soap, shampoo, toothpaste/brushes, feminine hygiene products, diapers, baby supplies, napkins, toilet paper, dish detergent, laundry soap, bleach, and so on. Food Stamps does not pay for these.
- “Treats” are always welcome. Even a small bag of hard candies (with or without sugar) is greatly appreciated by older people.
- When we donate to the food banks, we have a great chance to ease worry and raise people’s spirits. It’s not quite as good as eating together around a big family table, but it works!
2:08 a.m. I think I will try once more to sleep. I want to be awake and alert by 8 a.m. to get the full effect of the Inauguration. What a proud day for Americans! Let’s vow to make a new start, set aside our differences, and pray for our leaders and for equitable solutions to our problems.
I hope each of you is well and enjoying life and walking the path God has designed for you. My path appears to have been somewhat peripatetic, but that’s okay. God bless all of you for your prayers, good wishes, and support for the 2008 Navajo Child Drive. Soon, we will have photos, stories, and a report to share.
God opens doors.
Love, Susan S.