'Tis the Season

Happy Hannukah and Merry Christmas. Happy Kwanza, Boxing Day, Festivus and New Years, too. It's almost 2023. Time flies when you're having fun.

Thanks to those that support and have supported The Keystone Speculator and Keybot the Quant blogs. The blogs donate to the charities listed in the margins below including humanitarian aid into Ukraine and elsewhere, especially food relief through the worldwide networks, and even helping out Animal Friends that protect and help animals and pets. The Gary Sinise (he is the actor that played Lieutenant Dan the amputee in the "Forest Gump" movie) Foundation is a great charity that helps veterans and first responders.

If you have winter coats, hats, scarfs and gloves that do not fit anymore or do not suit your style, donate them to a local thrift store, especially children's boots. Avoid the big-box thrift stores instead find the small shops ran by volunteers in run-down communities. These folks know the working poor in the area that simply need a little extra help and other folks that are in need.

Since you are buying a bunch of food to celebrate the holidays this week, it is time to clean the pantry and cabinet shelves. Place all your canned goods in a sturdy box and wipe your cabinets clean.

Drop the box of canned goods and pasta at the food bank, or at a thrift store since they usually take food donations, or keep your ears open for organizations conducting food drives and help them out, and then you can go to the grocery store to restock your house. It is fascinating that going to bed hungry as a child is something you will never forget as long as you live.

Don't forget to read "The Gift of the Magi" by the brilliant O Henry this time each year.

Ho, ho, ho. Jingle Bell Rock.