Remember Haiti this holiday

If you have any donations in mind this holiday season, please give a thought and a prayer, and as much money as you can spare, to the people trying to help Haiti through its multiple crises.  In addition to the explosion of cholera in the wake of the earthquake, there is political unrest and continuing grinding poverty.  We really don't know the extent of the population's misery, as many thousands of rural residents suffer far from cities, hours from medical attention.  These people must carry their sick and suffering over mountains for days to reach even the most rudimentary clinics, which are now overflowing and in desperate need of medical supplies and doctors.  Please help if you can.

I suggest visiting the website www.doctorswithoutborders.org to help.

Here is a list of other organizations who are contributing to the relief effort:
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (Jewish Federations of North America)
American Jewish World Service
American Red Cross
AmeriCares
Brother's Brother Foundation
CARE USA
Catholic Medical Mission Board
Catholic Relief Services
The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
The William J. Clinton Foundation
Concern Worldwide US 
Cross International
Direct Relief International
Friends of the World Food Program
The International Rescue Committee
Internews Network
Islamic Relief USA
Lutheran World Relief
Medical Teams International
Mercy Corps
Oxfam America
Partners in Health
Plan USA
Project HOPE
Relief International
The Salvation Army
Save the Children USA
The UN Foundation
The U.S. Fund for Unicef
World Vision
Network for Good

OK I admit it - it's COLD

Record-breaking chill is in the air here in sunny Fort Lauderdale, and on the one day I really need it, my car heater is broken.  I'm headed to Pompano Beach to edit this morning, a distance of about 27 miles - and it's in the mid-thirties.  I'm going to put on fleece pants and a sweatshirt I bought in Yachats, Oregon last year.  One of the coolest towns you'll ever visit - a cute little coastal town with awesome black-rock beaches, teeming tide-pools and towering cliffs.  If you're lucky you'll see some sea lions.  I visited a local attraction where hundreds of them hang out in dramatic sea caves.  You take a scary elevator down about 5 floors and watch them brave the crashing waves, climbing up onto cave rocks to hang out.  I also took a looong hike into the cool coastal forest, up and down steep hills.  I didn't see another soul along this six mile trail.  At the end was a GIGANTIC redwood, more than 200 years old and about ten feet across.  I sat there looking at it, and listening to the wind in the trees, for at least half an hour.  That night I ate the most delicious fresh salmon I've ever eaten, at the town's one decent restaurant.  It was so busy I ate at the bar, striking up a conversation with the locals.  The bartender was making up fresh blackberry daquiris (they were in season locally - so juicy and delicious - right off the vine) and he must've felt a little sorry for me because he'd give me the remainders of the frozen drinks after he filled the glasses of paying customers.  It's hard to say how many I drank, since they were served a half-glass or so at a time.  But I had quite a buzz on, when I left!  My hotel was right on the beach, with a big porch overlooking the ocean.  Oh yeah, we shot a nice show there too, with Jaye and Susan of Petstar.  They have a gorgeous organic garden at their house overlooking a river, and the cutest, most amazingly well trained dogs I've ever seen.  They feed them organic home-made food, and have written a cookbook for doggies.  Their business is making dress-up collars called "shag-a-loo" and other fun toys and pet accessories.  Check them out at www.articoproducts.com.  Well, time to put on the Snuggie and hit the road.  More soon!

Chill bump city

Hello to all of my snowed-in friends up in Minnesota, Ohio, New York City, Boston etc. - I'm getting ready to go out and play tennis in shorts and a tee shirt.  It doesn't suck to be me, today!  Of course my good friends out in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and up in New Hampshire - you guys are probably out skiing powder right now so you're free to send a sarcastic blog right back at me.  I'm going to Montreal next month, so I'll get my share of ass-freezing.  Last time I was there it was May, and I spent a wonderful afternoon in the historic district, sipping a glass of rose at a sidewalk cafe, watching the street performers; and walking down the old streets, marveling at the architecture.  It feels just like being in a great European city.  This time - I'll probably be looking for some strong French coffee...and running from car to building bundled up in a down parka.

Hey cyber people

This is my first blog.  How do you like me now?