Papa, Grandma and the Gulf Oil Spill

A huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico threatens states stretching from Louisiana to Florida, and perhaps others, with the potential to destroy wildlife, livelihoods, ecosystems and so much more.

I'm a native Floridian, born in Fort Walton Beach in the Panhandle. The memories of my grandparents who lived in Pensacola are among those I hold dearest: Playing red light/green light and "Mother May I?" on the front porch; eating Grandma's homemade biscuits or fried mullet that my grandfather caught the night before; skipping down to the old-even-then wooden corner store to buy bubble gum for a penny (or Lucky Strikes for my Grandma - those were different days).

Papa was a fisherman, who for many years was captain of a party boat (taking many people out to deep sea fish). Later he was an independent mullet fisherman, a hard-labor nighttime job of setting and pulling in nets and selling his catch to seafood resellers. It was back-breaking work that didn't generate a lot of income, but theirs was a happy life that I remember fondly.

So I think about the oil spill and the people, like my grandparents, who it will impact. What Katrina didn't obliterate along the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts - and points east, like Pensacola - this environmental disaster is sure to take down. My heart and prayers go out to each and every one of the people whose lives are forever changed.

Photo by John Boyer

So Many Lessons to Learn About Paying for College: One College's Financial Aid Web Pages are a Great Resource

Paying for college - Holy cow! I had heard a little about it but wasn't until I actually started the process a year ago, as part of my high school senior's college search, that I realized ALL that was involved (and just how crazy some of it seems).

Understanding FAFSA, EFC, merit-based aid vs. need-based aid, etc. is critical when it comes to navigating financial aid. Bethany University in California has a website that features, among other things, Financial Aid 101. There are many resources out there and this is one of my favorites. Definitions are clear and plenty of examples make the explanations more concrete.

I'll address some of the crazy parts of the financial aid process another time. For now, let me offer you a large bottle of caplets for the headache you're going to have, tissues to dry the tears you'll shed and all the good luck in the world.

Admiration for the Smart, Witty People Who Make Me Laugh

I saw something on TV a few nights ago that was so funny, I snorted when I laughed. Mind you, I'm not proud of the snorting - not very ladylike and all that, after all - but the bit by Stephen Colbert was clever, edgy and hilarious.

So funny, in fact, that I want to share it with you. This clip from the Colbert Report - "Affirmative Inaction" - won't take long to view and, hopefully, will tickle your funny bone, too. Just don't blame me if you start snorting.

Creative and Affordable Gift Ideas for the Shopping-challenged

It's time to post some gift ideas, which is my contribution to Christmas shopping karma (I think I just created a paradox). You see, I have sought out other gift idea lists and it's only fair that I share some of my own. Keeps it all in balance and I need that, considering that I've mixed Christmas with karma.

So here are some of my favorite things. Are they gifts I purchased? Maybe - or maybe I needed a little present for myself. Nonetheless, I'll try to ID the items I've seen first-hand versus the ones I only saw online (the ol' reality vs. concept approach).

First, here's the Gorillapod from Photojojo. As stated on the website, the Gorillapod is a "...fun and pocketable tripod supports a Point & Shoot camera just like a mini version of a traditional tripod. But bend its tentacle-like arms it'll stand on uneven surfaces, wrap around poles, tree branches, or railings, and grab onto nearly any object in sight." Only $23! For SLR camera owners they also offer a Gorillapod SLR Zoom for $50. Photojojo is an amazing website for photography lovers, so check it out and sign up for the email newsletter.

Fred Flare has some great bargains right now, with free shipping if you spend $75 and great bargains. It's one of my favorite go-to spots for stocking stuffers... for example, the Breakfast Floss, which they call "the most important floss of the day." Three different flavors come in the $12 set - waffle, bacon and coffee. Yum. (I even got one for my stocking)

A newcomer to my list of online shopping sites is Click! Design that Fits, a great little shop in Seattle. I found this awesome Night Carafe (made in Japan by Tampopo) for people like me who always take a glass of water to bed. Just $15 (yeah, I got one of these for me, too).

I have more gifts and shops to suggest, so check back. Happy shopping!