It's not too late to let Target Stores know how you feel about their banning
of Salvation Army bell ringers from in front of their stores this Christmas
Season. Write to Jennifer Hanson at Target Guest Services. The email address
is guest.relations@target.com

Bob

I just don??™t believe it.  Since I made my last story Mommy has informed me I have a ???sleep disorder!???  I must really be a mess.  First, she says I??™m obsessive; then she says I have an eating disorder; and now she says I have a sleep disorder.  How could one little Schnauzer have so many problems?  I??™m really starting to get worried about myself.

The only problem I have with sleeping is that I don??™t want any light in my eyes.  When I take a nap on the couch, I push the pillows around until I can hide my eyes under one of them.  I like to take naps on the floor by Mom??™s side of the bed too.  But, I always have to stick my face under the rust ruffle (yeah, fine ??“ Mom says its a dust ruffle.)  When we

go to bed at night, if that stupid TV is still on, I push at the top of the sheet until one of my people will let me under it.  I cannot sleep when there is light in my face, even when my eyes are shut ??“ so there!  Mommy says I must have thin eyelids.  No kiddin??™!  They wouldn??™t work if they were thick; now would they?  She always thinks she knows everything! 

I have another problem too, according to ???Mommy Dearest.???  I love socks!  I don??™t care whose socks ??“ I love all socks.  I don??™t even care if they are dirty or clean.  Mom says it??™s a ???sock phobia??? ??“ whatever that is.  I have never even torn a sock, so I don??™t??™ know what the big deal is anyway.  When we have company I sneak in the company room (oh, pooh ??“ it??™s called a guest room).  If I find an open suitcase, or socks in their shoes, I grab them and away I go.  I wonder if people know how dumb they look chasing me?  There is NO way they??™re gonna catch me unless I want them to.   Why can??™t they figure this stuff out?  When we visit other people??™s houses, I sneak around and look for socks in their shoes too.  Sometimes I even sneak into their closets!  Boy, is it ever fun.  People aren??™t very smart I guess.  I have them playing my game before they even know what??™s happened.

I love snatching my Daddy??™s socks right out of his drawer.  He opens it to get a pair, and before he can blink I??™ve grabbed some and I??™m gone!  Sometimes he doesn??™t close it all the way, and I squeeze my nose in and get socks too.  My ???sock games??? make Mommy fuss a lot when she does laundry.  She says, ???Shiloh, before you came I never had a problem with missing socks!??? 

Last week Mommy and I were home alone; and I played a really good ???sock trick??? on her!  It was bedtime, and she was running around checking to see if the doors were all locked, over and over again.  I think she??™s getting forgetful or something.  Anyway, when she finally came to the bedroom, I had both socks out of her walking shoes.  I just left them in the middle of the floor ??“ no big whoop.  She picked them up, just like I knew she would.  When she started to put them back in her shoes she screeched, and jumped a mile high ??“ then she tripped over herself and fell flat on her face.  She is such a klutz!  It was kinda dark in the bedroom, and after I took out both socks - I put a toe in one of her shoes.  She says they are cow hooves ??“ I say they are cow toes!  Anyway, she thought it was a mouse or something and it scared her something terrible.  It??™s a good thing I have this Schnauzer beard so she couldn??™t see my great big smile.  WHOA!  She would have been mad.

(c) 2004 Kathy Baker

Re: To Kill an American

What a shame the author is "unknown."  This simply says it all and makes one proud to be an American!
 Kathy Baker

Re: Target Bell Ringers

Bob, I was so touched by this issue of Starfish.  I sent my letter to Target.  I do hope it will help.  Taking away the bell ringer is like taking away a tradition - a Christmas tradition - one that causes each of us to think a little bit more of giving and forgetting ourselves.

Below is an introduction I wrote for my weekly Blueprint4Living Newsletter in Dec. 2001that will express my feelings somewhat about the Bell Ringers.

Merry Christmas, dear friends. I hope you all love Christmas. I love everything about it and especially the way Christmas seems to soften hearts and turns each of us from ourselves and have more concern for others. I love the miracles of Christmas. Look around, what is different ? Are you seeing kindness extended in areas you haven??™t noticed before. I love the light in children??™s eyes, I love the joy I see on grown-ups faces when they stop long enough from the mundane to truly notice, and feel the excitement of Christmas. I love the bell ringer who stands in the cold, ringing the bell to remind each of us to forget ourselves and think of another.

My daughter in-law and my 2 year old grandson and I were approaching a store to do some Christmas shopping when Mary, his mother reached into her purse to give him some money to put into the pot by the bell ringer. As instructed, when we approached the bell ringer, he placed his money in the designated spot. As he drew his hand back, the kind lady thanked him and then asked if he would like to ring the bell. His eyes lit up and with a big wide smile, he grasped the bell and began to shake it, turning from side to side, looking at each person who came near. It was easy to see he wanted everyone to see and hear the bell. Perhaps this was a small act of kindness from the bell ringer but a giant impression was made on a special two year old, named Wyatt.

Thanks for the information, Bob.
Dorothy Casper

Re:  World Situation, A Letter to My Sons

Thank you for this tremendously insightful and well-written "letter" in today's Starfish.
 Yours -
Lori Anton

--- --- ---

Although this article claims no liberal or republican bias it is blatantly Republican trying to understand why those that are not could think the way they do.  Pro Bush, Pro war, Pro retaliation. 

Carol

Re:  Sassafras, Loren Moore

Loren,

Such an enjoyable read; warm memories to be sure.  Women with Heart has a new addition called "Home, Heart, and Family."  You might be interested in visiting us and checking that out.
 God bless - 
Lori Anton
Founder / Editor
Women with Heart

Re: Morning Joy, Dottie McGinnis

I love the writing of Dottie.  She expresses herself so well.  God is in the business of restoration and takes delight in using us to become the answer to our problems and the solution to helping others who have suffered in the same ways we have.   I understand now how He allows us to have problems, so we can help others.  I believe the Book of Job was written that we might have HOPE.  It was hard for Job to see this, but we can.
God bless Dottie, is my prayer.
Nancee

Re: I Work for a Jewish Carpenter, Bill Walker

Hello Bill,

I am so glad to way that I, too, work for a Jewish carpenter plus according to his word, I have been adopted into his family; Jews!   It is so refreshing to have read your story on Sandollar as so many wish to misinterpret His word!  I am a 75 yr old grandmother who loves the Lord and write poetry and some stories online with inspiration from Him.  My theory which sounds like yours is;  do not add or detract from His inspired words. 
Many blessings,
Norma Liles 
hoopla214 @ yahoo.com

Re:  I am Sick, Loren Moore

Please tell "Loren Moore" that I am sick of ignorant drivel like what is contained in this column.

Will H.

--- --- --- ---

Love it, love it, love it.  You go Loren.  I could not have ever said it better myself.  Thank you for saying it for me.  God Bless America, our service men and women, and our President. 

 Dianne Chambers

--- --- --- ---

BRAVO, LOREN!

Andi Puntoriero

Western NY

--- --- --- ---

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!KEEP SAYING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Donna Becker

--- --- --- ---

I have only one comment for Loren's message on being sick.  WOW!!!  I think we're all a little sick and tired.  Bless you, Loren.
Jaye Lewis

jlewis@smyth.net

Re:  I Held His Hand, Betty King

 WOW!!!  Bob, what a story......I can so relate to this, I've been there, seen that, and experienced it in my husband's family as well as some of my family members.....it is sad, but a remarkable way of putting it down on paper.  Thanks for sharing your site with me.  I am richer for it.
Carol

--- --- --- ---

Bob....What a beautiful story of Compassion!!   Something most people certainly lack these days.  My experience as a hospice volunteer truly showed me that even the professionals prefer seeing the 'contracts signed' over 'giving the needed patient care', particularly in nursing home.  How sad?  How refreshing to read Betty's story!!  I advocated for the elderly...those I served most...for as long as I could...but the politics finally pushed me out.  I serve now...here on the internet...on bereavement sites, support groups, etc.  I sent Betty a note also.  Thanks for sharing,
God Bless,
Jo Ann S.