My reasons for this are that while immigrants are welcomed and encouraged here in the U.S., as that’s the American way, doing it legally should be a no-brainer.  Legal immigrants are basically temporary guests until such time as they go back to their original home or apply for a U.S. citizenship.  While they are here, they have rules and regulations to follow.  Just as citizens who are born here in American.  Why should illegal immigrants who flaunt their disregard of the rules be rewarded for doing so; when many legal immigrants, who do things by the book, honor our system?  That isn’t right to reward illegals by giving them a free ride when our own citizens don’t get that same level of benefits.

The thing is, not only will they get private scholarships to go to college…but, they have to have money to live on.  How will they get food and money to pay for other necessities? So while they may get private scholarships to go to school…they must turn to the public to meet their other needs.  Already the state of California is struggling financially to meet it’s obligations to those who live there; you know, people that legally have the right to live there.  What about medical care?  What if those illegal immigrants have children while they are here? Those children will be U.S. citizens…but, then the parents have the ability to try to petition the courts to try to stay here as well.  Who picks up the tab in the meantime?  We all know the answer to that…residents of the United States who pay their taxes are stuck picking up the tab to provide for them.  It just isn’t right.

There are some individuals who think that by educating the illegals that it will help our country by causing them to pay taxes.  Yeah right, first of all, illegals don’t want to be noticed by government agencies.  They don’t want to be sent back to the countries that they came from.  Truthfully, why would they?  They can live here…find jobs that will pay them under the table, keep Uncle Sam’s portion for themselves, go to college…often have babies here in America for free, and send money back home where it is worth much more than it is here…and be doing quite well, all things considered.

I happen to think that it is outrageous that Governor Jerry Brown would slap Americans in the face by taking this action. It is what I call poor leadership that will have a negative impact on our nation.  As the head politicians, he should be enforcing the laws of his country, not creating ways around the laws of the nation.  This country is experiencing a time-bomb regarding our ceiling of debt that has the potential to paralyze our country financially; and, he dares to spread out the welcome mat to people that he feels we need to invest in.  The illegal immigrants shouldn’t be America’s obligation financially.

What are your thoughts on this matter?  Oh and before you jot down your opinion…just know that there is another bill being considered in the legislature for public scholarships to be extended to illegal immigrants in the United States as well.  That would squarely place the brunt of the cost, of sending ILLEGAL immigrants, directly onto the American taxpayer who may or may not be able to afford to send their own family members to college.  Is this fair?  Tell me what you think!

You may say, I am only one person…what can i do?  You can support the National Association of Letter Carriers help stamp out hunger by leaving a bag at your mail box, on Saturday May 14, 2011, with non-perishable food items.  That is only 2 days from now.   Make sure that the items you are donating are not out of date or in danger of expiring any time soon.   Don’t have a lot to give; give what you can.  If you are blessed enough to have the means to give…give generously; we all have a responsibility to share our blessings with others.

Support businesses and organizations that sponsor the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive.  This is an amazing grass roots program that blesses your local food banks.  All the food collected by your local mail carrier stays in your local area.  The people you help may be your own friends, family or neighbors. With the economy being so challenging in recent years more people are affected by not having enough to eat.  The numbers of children in homes without enough food is rising.  The elderly are having a harder time making ends meet.  Young wage earners are finding themselves without steady income to support their families sufficiently.   Natural disasters have hurt many families and those people still need to eat.  Churches can’t do it all…they need our help to provide food for those who are struggling with hunger!  Won’t you help?

Would you like to learn more?  Visit their website here:  Stamp Out Hunger and if you happen to have a Facebook account or a Twitter account…then Like them or Follow them to lend your support.  Spread the work online and off.  Tell others about the food drive…encourage others to donate.

Remember to thank your mail carrier.  They are dedicated to helping people stamp out hunger in your community.   Do you know someone who has had to use food from a food pantry or food bank?  Tell them about my friend Connie who heads up a website that teaches people how to eat healthier with the food that they bring into their homes through SNAP, food pantries, commodities, and farmer’s markets.  She does this in a way to help people stretch their budgets and to encourage the people who visit her website to form a community to share tips and ideas with one another.  Her site isn’t just for food stamp users…but for anyone on a tight budget who wants and needs to eat well.  Food Stamp Cooking Club

I first met Peppermint Jim back a couple of years ago in person in Michigan.  He’s had an impact in Michigan where he helped to save his family’s heritage mint farm from foreclosure.  He did this through hard work, and with the help of loyal customers.  Jim believes in using organic farming practices that help build up the soil and protect it from poor farming practices that harm the earth with dangerous chemicals and destructive, or careless techniques that don’t look beyond the season’s current harvest.

I have to say that I was impressed with the man’s knowledge not only of those issues; but also, the intensive passion he shares for mint farming and for supporting struggling independent producers who are trying to make a living in a very competitive world.  He’s done this by not compromising his faith or his belief in doing things in such a way as to honor God’s creation.  He does his best to educate others and to provide products that promote health and well-being for the consumer as well as the environment.

In fact, Jim supports Southern Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce and Mrs. Greens World Care to encourage green practices in communities and businesses.  The Tucson Arizona community is familiar with this way of thinking and it is a great place to connect with like- minded people.

In the May edition of Guideposts magazine you will find an article on Peppermint Jim and the story of his legacy from the role that his family’s heritage mint farm played in his professional growth; to the place that he is in now and, the direction that his experiences are leading him to, in the future.  Don’t miss it…get the May 2011 edition of Guidepost’s magazine to learn more about Peppermint Jim and his life partner, wife Lilian and the role that their mint based business will play in the forward thinking communities who are wise to a greener and more sustainable world.

Jim has taken his knowledge, passion and purpose to Arizona and is introducing community members and loyal customers to his new line of products.  His commitment to sustainability is contagious and he educates others to this way of farming.  He is an encouragement to other farmers and independent producers of consumer goods; to do what they know is right and to have an opportunity to provide a living for themselves by bringing products to the marketplace that envelope all that they believe in.

You can see Peppermint Jim’s line of pure mint oils, body care products, farming tools, his handmade candies and goodies as well as his soil rejuvenator which feeds plants from seedling to bloom/harvest.  You can find out more about what’s good for you and your family at Peppermint Jim

These are some of the questions that the guys, behind the program Real Guys Real Money, have attempted to answer with their free videos. The average person getting started in internet marketing, who is looking to do an honest business, is often intimidated by those big name marketing gurus who flaunt their mansions, expensive cars and other material goods.  They may think, that isn’t my style; I don’t need all of that…I just want to provide for my family.

Many people who consider starting an online business just want to add to their income; or, possibly replace their day job with a career from their online money making pursuits.  Some of their claims of the big internet marketing gurus are so sensational that it seems almost unbelievable.

Does everyone who tries to make money online have to conduct themselves in the same way, with sensational headlines & promises of great financial rewards, to be able to compete in the business?  Can you have traditional values with your internet business and still make money?  Someone considering an online business may even wonder if it’s even possible for someone new to the market, a little guy, to make a steady stream of money online.  Check out their videos and see what you think.

If you are one of those people interested in making money online…you would be wise to listen in to Paul Counts, Jeff Wellman and Eric Holmlund as they give you some great content in these teaching videos.  You don’t have to sign up or opt in to hear & see the free videos.  This is some great info…it isn’t merely filler videos full of fluff and stuff.

It costs you nothing to click here Make Money Online Niche.

*Just so you know…if you do purchase a product through them in the future…i may be compensated for referring you.  But remember…there is no cost to watching the FREE videos! Not only that, but you don’t even have to opt in to view the videos!  Enjoy and thanks for visiting.

Mother Conni

I have to say that entering the fray in Babble’s Top 100 Food Mom Bloggers started out simply as a way of honoring my friend Mother Connie.  It has since become more about honoring her AND getting people aware of the impact she is making in the lives of the people who visit her Food Stamps Cooking Club Blog.  You see, Connie has always been about helping people be healthy (she teaches ways to eat healthier while on a tight budget) but she also truly loves connecting with people and encouraging them.

Her blog is one of community.  The people who visit there aren’t simply people who get their groceries from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-food stamps)…even though that is the name of the blog.  It is also written for, and contributed to by, people who receive WIC  (Women, Infants, and Children), Angel Food Ministries, Commodities, Farmer’s Market coupons or groceries from local food pantries.  Connie encourages people to participate with their cooking tips, shopping or marketing tips, health information and to ask questions that she or her readers may have an answer to.

All of this is done with the intention of helping people to stretch their food dollars and to shop, prepare and serve the healthiest meals that they can to their families.  Connie not only accomplishes this…she has been an inspiration to many.  For all of those reasons…I ask you to go here to Babble’s Top 100 Mom Food Bloggers and nominate her.  All you have to do is find her on page 1 or 2 and click on the “like” button to vote for her.   Thanks a lot.  Oh, and go visit her blog…and leave her a comment; she loves comments…tell her Write Where You Are sent you!

Quite often today, many features of specific heirloom plants have been bred right out of plants in the name of hybridisation.  In the world of agriculture, scientists are always looking to improve a particular strain or species of a plant; either by shape, color, size or some other feature deemed to be valuable.  However, in the name of improving a strain…sometimes other things are lost in the process.  What makes a particular fruit, vegetable or flower a favorite is different which is why there are so many variations available today.

If you find one that you love…think about this; will that particular strain of plant that you love be available in the future? You may want to start thinking about preserving some seeds of some of your favorites now, just like our ancestors did out of necessity.  For trees and vines there are other ways to preserve and that may involve grafting procedures…but, that is for another post in the future. 

There is a process to saving the seeds most genetically desirable to produce the plants you love.  You will need to study up a bit about the process for that particular kind of seed but most process’ include sorting through the seeds to find the plumpest, and most appealing seeds from the best plants that you have grown.  There is a different kind of drying that needs to be done for certain seeds but you want them completely dried out and free from debris so that they do not mold or mildew which would render them useless for the next planting season.

Storing your seeds is a matter for which you must put some thought into.  You will want to store them in a cool, dark place in a sealed envelope which is clearly labeled with the type of seed it is as well as the date when it was stored.

I like to think of seeds as a way of not only saving money but also of preserving seeds that will  best grown in your geographical location.  Seeds that have been harvested from plants grown in your own environment are already proven to do well.  On top of that, you understand how your plants have been grown…you can be as organic as you like.  Health is a concern too because our world is becoming filled with toxic substances that filter down into our foods and plant life.

Keeping your own seeds and starting your plants also is a great way to help the world be more green in your growing practices; instead of buying plants or seeds that are shipped across states using more fossil fuels and leaving a bigger carbon footprint than absolutely necessary.  Teaching children how to grow their own foods is an extra bonus because it gives them some control over the foods that they put into their bodies which can help them to live healthier.

There are many experts on seed saving…but one of the best is The Seed Savers Exchange.  They have officially been around since 1975.  If you are interested in learning more about them you can check out their website here:  Seed Savers Exchange .

It is my understanding that there is nothing against the law about this agreement.  If an employee doesn’t willingly agree to this…they may not be hired; or if they’ve already been hired and refuse to sign this agreement, they can be fired or scheduled for work so little, that an employee is compelled to start looking for a new job.

I don’t know about you, but this doesn’t sit right with me.  I understand that many businesses are now 24 hours a day, seven days a week in their operations.  However, what is wrong with hiring & regularly scheduling a staff to work those separate shifts?  If someone is willing to be a floater, meaning working any shift as needed, then I see nothing wrong with that.  On the other hand, forcing employees to be available at any time, or basically being on call, to come into work, just doesn’t seem fair nor does it seem like a good way to keep up company morale.

I mean think about it, people have lives outside of their work environment.  Those employees often have other responsibilities outside of their jobs; such as those towards a spouse, a parent or maybe even to children.  I am thinking off of the top of my head here; but, how many child care places are going to be as flexible as an employee needs if they are obligated to work at all hours of the day or night?

Many baby boomers are what they call the sandwich generation meaning they are taking care of their parents while they are at the same time working and raising their own children.  Schedules have to be somewhat co-ordinated with a spouse or significant other to meet all of those requirements.  I wonder too about people who have more than one job.  Many people can’t earn enough money to support themselves & their families one the income from a job, especially if it is part time.  How could they agree to come in at any time if they are holding a second job…having a concrete schedule is the only way to balance two jobs.  Also what about college students who are trying to get an education as well as work to pay for that education; how are they to be expected to come into work at any given moment when they must be in class on a set schedule?  These issues impact a lot of people.  It is important to the quality of life that people need to enjoy life.

I read about one employee who was asked to sign one of these agreements.   She had a personal conflict regarding her religious beliefs.  The young woman expressed concerns about possibly being forced to work on a Sunday; when she felt very strongly that Sunday was supposed to be a day of rest according to scripture in the Bible.  Once the media became aware of this woman’s conflict about signing the agreement… she was allegedly told by her employer that she would not be required to sign it.  She was worried that if she signed it she would find herself in the position of having to choose between her job and her faith or possibly loose her job altogether if she refused to sign it.  I wonder how that particular company will enforce this worker agreement with other employees if they allow some to sign it and others to refuse?  It gets complicated in my opinion.

What are your thoughts on this subject?  Is this an abuse of power?   Should employers get dibs on an employees time twenty four hours a day, seven days a week?  Who should have priority over decision making regarding the employees time…an employer, family members or the employee themselves?

Players are standing in long lines to purchase their tickets.  Even the “odds of winning” aren’t a deterrent to the most loyal of players…the 1 in 176 millionth of a chance of winning.  Really?  I wonder how someone convinces themselves that THEY are the one who WILL win the jackpot with those kind of odds.  It really is gambling to spend money in the HOPES of taking the jackpot.

Although, there are those who spend serious money to try to even up the odds of winning to their benefit; by purchasing more than one ticket.  Still, when you stop and think about it…doesn’t it really mean when they lose that they will just take a harder hit than the person to spends the bare minimum to purchase one chance to win?

I don’t play the lottery.  First of all, people with my kind of luck just don’t win these things.  Second of all, you hear about some of the winners of these huge lotteries who turn around and say, within a short period of time, I wish that I would have just torn up that ticket at the very beginning.   That is not a high recommendation for praying for “good luck” when playing the lottery.

Those people have either lost their winnings, had the funds mis-managed, or been hit up with one kind of disaster after another, once they did win.  Not to mention, because of winning the lottery; they were subjected to people coming out of the woodwork trying to get a portion of the money; thereby jeopardizing their relationships with many of the people in their lives and their communities.  One of the winners I remember reading about lost a granddaughter to death, was sued by multiple people; and, seemed to have gained more problems than anyone would ever think possible.   Often criminal, emotional, marital, or legal problems persist for winners of lotteries.   Others become addicted to gambling or other high risk behaviors.  For those who believe that winning will solve all of their problems in life; disappointment and disillusionment become a way of life.

Those issues are not an endorsement for wanting to win, right?

Winners are often told that 25% of the winnings go to the federal government.  Forty one states are in on this particular jackpot…and of course, the states will have their own taxes that must be deducted from the winner’s take.  It is highly recommended for people who are not already well blessed with finances and well versed in the world of high finance to seek out and (pay for) financial counselors, lawyers, accountants and investment bankers to advise them.  (There would go another substantial amount of the winnings).   I’ve always been taught that gambling is wrong…sinful, leads to all kinds of trouble.

It would be just my bad luck; if I violated what I’ve always been taught…I would WIN and suffer unbearably!  

Those are all reasons why I am not buying a ticket.  Even though it is tempting to think that all of a person’s financial problems could be wiped away in one moment…I won’t buy a ticket.  I mean, geez; if you won that kind of money, you would always be worrying about losing it somehow.  If you’ve never had it, you don’t have to worry about losing it, right?   > So, it’s official; I’ve decided that no way am I going to risk winning the Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot this evening.  LoL   How about you, are you going to risk it?

For the town in Michigan known as Belding, saving time is critical for their self image.  You see, Belding, Michigan got its very name by honoring the Belding family; they built a business with their silk mills and thereby, provided a way of life for those who chose to live along the banks of the river.  These days, there is not much use for the structures except for its very image; which many use in their letterheads or in their desire for buying or selling collectibles.  This historic structure needs some upkeep done soon to preserve not only it’s history; but, to carry it into the next generation.

Many people are unaware that Electrolux recently repurchased the existing buildings with the intention of tearing down the remaining silk mill buildings, as well as the clock tower.  This is heartbreaking for those past and present residents of Belding.  Removing the buildings would not only change the face of the small town; but, it would create a hole in the patchwork of historical buildings of the area and diminish the importance of the contribution that the Belding brothers brought to the area.  The brothers created a rich legacy through their silk mill operation and through their contributions to the town known as Belding today.

How does one go about determining the value of preserving history and its impact on the future?  I mean, think about it…everyone values these things differently.  However, when there is a rising up of a collective outcry from not only residents of the community but those in surrounding areas; one would think that some kind of effort could be made by a corporation as large and industrious as Electrolux.  They are a corporation that prides itself on sustainability.

My online dictionary says this about sustainability:

that the environment on Earth can provide.  There is a conference

that is also called, Terra Madre, that brings together delegates from all

around the world to share information and practices that are committed

to growing and producing food in a responsible and sustainable way.

This conference has been taking place since 2004.  It takes place bi-

annually.  This conference brings together all of the wisdom and working

knowledge that supports good stewardship of the Earth and it’s life-

giving components.

Those delegates who participate contribute to the latest knowledge

about sustainability and growing practices which also include scientific

data and sound ecological practices for the relationships between food

producers, growers, shippers, cooks, universities, livestock, fisherman,

agricultural leaders, and scientists themselves.

In recent years there has been a push for genetically modified foods.

However, has been resistance to that movement.  Studies are being done

on the safety of such growing techniques on humans, animals and the

environment.

One of my favorite people in Michigan is one of those delegates.  You

may remember me writing of the Crosby Mint Farm in St.Johns,

Michigan.  I wrote of their farm’s struggle to fight against foreclosure

and their victorious win to keep the organic mint farm, that has been

in their family going back multiple generations.

Linette Crosby is co-owner with her brother Jim Crosby.  They farm the

land with growing practices that continue to renew the Earth with it’s

healthy agricultural farming practices.  This is not a marketing ploy…this

is how they produce such pure mint products and preserve the soil which

has brought their family such a rich heritage of  financial support, family

and relationships inside and outside of their local community. You can see

more about their farm here: http://www.bit.ly/98Wxw4

Linette Crosby is a perfect delegate for the Terra Madre conference.  Trust me,

what she is able to contribute is valuable and the knowledge she will return with

will continue to plant seeds in her circle of influence.  I look forward to all that

she will share with those people wise enough to listen and learn.

This year’s Terra Madre conference will be in Torino, Italy from October 21

to the 25th.  You can learn more about the conference here:

http://www.bit.ly/aFsrfd