Wolf asked me to update his last post with more links to help people and pets

If you’re looking for a way to help out the people and animals hurt and left homeless in Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami, here’s a collection of sites:

Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support (JEARS) is a coalition created to positively support rescue efforts for the animals who have been affected by the devastating earthquake that hit Japan.

World Vets is an international veterinary aid organization that provides “free veterinary aid, resources and support during times of disaster all over the world”. World Vets is collecting veterinary supplies and medicines through the group’s website as well as cages and cash donations. The donations will be used to assist the first-responder team the organization will establish to house and treat injured and lost animals.

Humane Society International is helping to keep people and their pets safe. They’ve made a substantial emergency grant to their animal coalition partner, arranged for the purchase and shipment of more than $100,000 in needed veterinary and other supplies, and helped to set the stage for emergency animal sheltering operations in the devastated areas of northeastern Japan. In the coming days, HSI will continue to support these crucial efforts.

Red Cross Scales Up Relief Efforts to Meet Huge Needs in Japan. The Japanese Red Cross Society is scaling up its relief operations to help meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of survivors who are now housed in evacuation centers

Second Harvest Japan: This organization, before the disaster, collected perfectly good food that didn’t “look” perfect (Japanese have an obsession with perfect looking food) and distributed it to the needy. Now? Donations are gladly accepted for help with the disaster victims.

Recently, I was the third commenter on Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom’s blog and as such, I won a handmade prize. And now it’s my turn to pay it forward! It might be a $5 Starbucks card, or a book or scent, or one of my pictures, whatever you chose! If you’d like to participate, please say so in the comments…this will entail you sending me your snail mail address and also paying it forward to three more folks, so if you’re hesitant to do this, bear that in mind! I’ll randomly choose 3 folks using my poppet Skelly, possibly Wolf and pieces of folded up paper. I’m old fashioned like that, ya’ll.

Faith was talking about virtual vacations recently and I offered to let her plan a vacation for me…in Boston. Here’s what she said:

You’re to go to on the self-guided Freedom Trail tour. You start at the park visitor center at 15 State Street, opposite the Old State House. That will take you to 15 or 16 historic sites. Take at least one photo at each site. If you have time, do the tours at the different historic sites, and take photos of views, people, or anything else that strikes your fancy.

Have fun–and you have to post your thoughts about your vacation & at least a few photos on your blog.

Dudes, this is going to be SO much fun!!!

I recently discovered Bethanie, who is a transplanted yankee and looking forward to this vacation, as well!

One of my tattoos was featured here.

I stayed home from work on Thursday to keep an eye on Dad. He’d fallen sometime during the night in his bedroom and I didn’t discover it til 830 am or so. I couldn’t get him up off the floor, so I had to call the EMTs, which I hate to do, but…it was necessary. They checked him out, didn’t find any bumps or bruises, blood pressure and pulse was fine, and Dad, of course, did not want to go to the hospital. Poor thing’s been sleeping most of the day, and hasn’t really eaten too much, some oatmeal, half a sandwich. He didn’t want dinner and is still sleeping now. Think good thoughts, k?

Friday Fill-Ins #72:

1. There is absolutely NO way you can get me to ever eat chitlins again!
2. The lawn I mowed today reminds me that summer is almost here!
3. I cannot live without my camera.
4. Scuba diving and self discipline are two things I’d like to try.
5. When life hands you lemons make candied lemons.
6. Being at the beach in Falmouth with my cousins is my favorite childhood memory.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to Dad feeling better, tomorrow my plans include possibly getting my mischief managed tattoo redone (depends on how Dad’s feeling) and Sunday, I want to go to the Museum of Science with Megan; we’re going to see this!