I’ve been hibernating, not wanting to show my face to the world
… but knowing I have to. My desk is starting to overflow with all
the scraps of paper that I have written important notes on.
I’ve been hibernating, not wanting to show my face to the world … but knowing I have to. My desk is starting to overflow with all the scraps of paper that I have written important notes on.
I feel like I’m a hermit crab, as my car carries pieces of my life with it, my real estate information, my volunteer work, my mom stuff and wife stuff, and I feel like a pack rat, not wanting to throw anything away. I feel like a weeping willow tree, with our country at war, it’s hard for me to make it shopping without starting to cry, clothes shopping, grocery shopping, makes no difference.
So I stay home and try and get through my days with a modicum of sanity. So many emotions all mixed up.
We just began daylight savings time and this is a great time to visit your local hardware store to pick up new batteries for your smoke detectors, your flashlights that are nestled beside each one of your beds as well as a hard hat, safety goggles, dust mask and heavy duty gloves in case of emergencies.
While you’re there you might consider picking up fire extinguishers for your home and car, some flares, and a small first aid kit for your car. If you’re like me, your car is your home away from home.
Literacy, or lack of literacy, affects us all. Did you know that a child’s reading scores at the age of 8 will predict their future? Will they be a productive, tax-paying citizen or will their life be filled with challenges and obstacles? Up until third grade a child learns to read; fourth grade and beyond a child reads to learn.
In Santa Clara County 25 percent of all English-speaking adults read below a ninth grade level. The month of May celebrates Reading is Fundamental and for more information go to www.rif.org/ If you want to improve your literacy skills call 848-5366 for a Vision Literacy connection.
We celebrated the first day of spring on March 20, and soon the temperatures will be rising and children and pets may be left unattended in locked cars with windows closed. Last year, on May 24 the temperature reached 86 degrees and if you were in a car with the windows closed the temperature would have hit 109 degrees after 10 minutes, 119 after 20 minutes and 130 degrees after half a hour.
Please don’t leave your child or your pet in a car unattended with the windows closed for any amount of time. If you do come across a child or pet left unattended, do the right thing, call the police. Who knows what life you might save?
Our city’s Beautification Day will be held on Saturday, April 26, and many more hands are needed to help paint, plant, repair, and other assorted jobs. Call Environmental Programs Division at 779-7247 to lend your support. You’ll be rewarded with a much cleaner city and a tasty barbecue.
Farmers Market opens Saturday, May 10, and I know I’m ready for those scrumptious foods, fruits, vegetables and breads our market provides. Contact them at 779-9444 and plan on visiting them on opening day.
May 17th is Armed Forces Day and a time of remembrance and observance will be held at Veteran’s Memorial Square in honor all the men and women who fought, gave their lives and remain missing in defense of the United States of America and the ideals for which it stands. Also recognized will be our currently serving military.
If you would like to purchase flags, or support your troops signs, log onto www.legion.org. Blue star banners will be given to those with a family member currently serving. Please call Mary Ellen at 779-6916 to reserve your flag.
Later that day Art ala Carte will be held at our Community Center from 10:30 until 3. This low cost event will have art projects and entertainment for our children ages 5-11 and volunteers are also needed. Call 782-0008.
May 17 is also the disaster drill exercise for the Citizen’s Emergency Response Training. If you would like to be a victim, or want to participate, give Paul a call at 776- 1225.
We have the 24th Annual Mushroom Mardi Gras quickly approaching and volunteers have been steadily working since last year to make this event the biggest and best ever. Volunteers and vendors can call 778-1786 or log onto www.mmgf.com/ Make sure you put Saturday and Sunday, May 24-25, on your activity schedule.
We will again remember our fallen heroes on Memorial Day with an observance at our Veteran’s memorial with speakers, prayers and poems. Flowers and wreaths would be appreciated. Letters and e-mails to our currently serving heroes can be sent to www.yourmorganhill.com
I’m hoping the next time I come into your home via the newspaper, peace will be with us. As always, feel free to contact me at ma***************@***oo.com
In closing, when Cesar Chavez was organizing farm workers, he challenged them to say, “Si, se puede” (yes, it is possible) when they did not know how they would overcome obstacles. Today and everyday, say Yes, it is possible, even if you don’t know how your goal will be realized. Have faith and say “it is possible”.
Mary Ellen Salzano is a Realtor for Century 21 Premier. She lives in Morgan Hill with her husband and two children. She also is a library commissioner. For correspondence, write her at The Times, 30 E. Third St., Morgan Hill, CA 95037. Her columns are published the third Friday of the month.
