Wednesday, July 26, 2006

How Soon Is Now?

Morrissey speaks out!!!:
http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/morrissey%20hits%20back%20in%20tv%20presenter%20feud_1003599
Thank you, Morrissey.
Love your music...

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Please, please visit Super Vegan today at:
http://supervegan.com/
and read this:
http://supervegan.com/blog/entry.php?id=346
and do whatever you can to help. Please.

Thanks.

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got QuikTime?
This is very, very nice.
Virtual Guidebooks!
Panoramic views & journeys through western North America.
http://virtualguidebooks.com/PanoramasTOC.html

Here's where i'll be in a few weeks:
http://virtualguidebooks.com/NorthCalif/RedwoodPark/PatricksPoint/WeddingRockL.html

Addendum: No, there is nothing about a wedding for me goin' on here!
Just going to Patrick's Point and this is the only virtual guide w/PP in it.
:o) Honest!

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Yet MORE reasons to go veg. No diabetes!
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/125/116026

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My friend Donny, who is 65 but with the emotional/mental capacity of a 7-year-old, lives in a residential home with about five other adults who are mentally and/or physically challenged. He has been a regular caller where i work ever since i can remember - almost 10 years now! He's a big sports fan and is a very nice guy who calls every night to find out how his favorite sports teams are doing and also to just talk about whatever is on his mind.

Donny always surprises me with the things he knows and what he cares about. He remembers my birthday every March and has expressed concern about my vegan diet, very excited always to tell me when he has eaten something vegetarian. Whenever he hears that Mattie (or my previous dog that he met, Sandi Ego) has been not feeling great, he asks for the latest doggie health news. It's very sweet.

I met him for the first time about 8 years ago at an event where he spoke in front of a room filled with people and received some awards... and since then we have struck up a friendship of sorts. Once a month i get over to see him and his "roommates." I always bring Mattie, who is the hit of the house.

I visited Donny last night and had this snapshot taken by the man who along with his wife and two sons opened his house and heart to these adults with developmental disabilities.

Among other things, spending time with Donny makes me appreciate even more than i already do, all that i have in my life. Blessings to all.

26 comments:

jenny said...

That's so cool! I'm involved in Best Buddies - I don't even know you but the fact that you hang out with Donny (and bring Mattie to visit) on your own is such a testament to your great character!!

One of the saddest things I think I've ever heard in a class was a graduate-level special ed class two years ago:

The professor was talking about transition services for high school kids with severe problems. He pointed out that these kids spend their ENTIRE lives with people who are paid to be with them.

Respit workers as kids, teacher aides as young adults, group home employees and job workshop workers as adults.

I found that to be so sad!!

You are making such a huge difference in this man's life. Big kudos.

Dori said...

Hugs to Donny. I agree with Jenny, it is a testament to your character. In my past life as a social worker, I saw the effect of what jenny talks of... many people are to busy to care. :(

Also, You are going to "wedding" rock? Is there any special reason for this, have I missed some major news?

Anonymous said...

I agree. It takes a special person to be able to build and maintain a relationship with an emotionally and/or mentally handicapped individual. It definitely is a calling.

Anonymous said...

That is a very sweet picture of you and Donny. You are such a caring and wonderful person and I am grateful to have "met" you.

Ok, so Wedding Rock? Let me just say YAY!!!!! Such a beautiful part of California. I used to have a home in Shelter Cove, which is about 30 minutes south of Eureka and then another 30 minutes west. I'll post pics of it on my blog so you can see. I hope you have a wonderful time and can't wait to read all about it.

Anonymous said...

You have some wonderful links here. I found my visit here enlightening on so many levels, keep up the great work. best wishes, The Artist

Anonymous said...

Awesome Blog! And thanks for stopping by mine and adding it to your list! It's nice to meet you ;) Oh .. and the link to Lite Brite... TOTALLY awesome!

Pure Zuke

RennyBA said...

What a lovely post and lovely pic of you and Donny and what a great job you are doing - greeting from Norway for that!

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen, What a nice photo and what a good person you are. Im sure your friend appreciates the quality time you share together. This was such a heart-warming post, thanks for sharing. G

Anonymous said...

Wedding Rock looks like a beautiful place.

I enjoyed the sweet story about you and Donny. You're a caring and compassionate person and it shows in your actions :)

Tanya Kristine said...

He is darling. and the photo easily depicts taht...i love innocence, no matter what the source.

that morrisey made funny...."..from a guy who married his mother!"

Crunchy Domestic Goddess said...

wow - is that really morrissey? i haven't seen a pic of him in ages.

have fun on your trip to PP. looks beautiful!

lovely picture of you and donny. i agree w/ the pp that you truly are a wonderful person. :)

Anonymous said...

I'll agree with what everyone else has posted. You are a really wonderful and caring person. The story about Donny is sweet, and it's so good what you do.

I love that virtual cam. There are so many beautiful places out on the coast.

funwithyourfood said...

Aw that is such a great story. thank you for sharing!

Teddy

Shananigans said...

Kleo, you have to be one of the most warm, caring people on the planet. That’s wonderful. I’m hoping after Dexter passes his CGC test next week (knock on wood) we can get him into pet therapy dog training and he can get a certificate in that as well. I love to share my dog with people, he makes me so happy I know he can brighten the day of others too.

Hove fun on your trip, sounds like a beautiful place!

Eat Peace Please said...

Kleo, go ahead and link me about the soaps... I don't mind.

karen said...

You are an amazing women!! I don't know when you find the time to do EVERYTHING that you do!!! You are so caring and warm- even to people you have never met.

I saw your comment on Geraldine's blog about Free to Be You and Me and I wanted to share this story with you. My teacher read us the baby story from it (complete with voices) when I was a kid. I wanted the book - no longer in print and it was $70 online. I didn't want to spend that much. Awhile later, while at a local library I saw the book in a pile to sell. I couldn't believe my eyes. So, I bought it for 25 cents!!! What an amazing find and it is in great condition.

RennyBA said...

Thanks for you visit and comments on my blog today. Yes, I know Landis is in big trouble, but only the A-test is known yet. Let's hope B-test prove different!
Btw: Did you remembered to cast your vote for Blogs of Summer at my blog?

urban vegan said...

You're such a good person, Kleo.

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

You are a beautiful person & like Donny, I'm so pleased to know you - only an outstanding individual would reach out like you do. Mattie must be an absolute superstar there! and,Kleo, thank you for reminding us to count our blessings, and to be blessings to others. wedding rock is georgous! natural beauty like that wells my heart - can't wait for your photos of that. :o)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for all of your support and kind words. William is doing so much better now. He has been up playing and most important sweating. He took a two hour nap today, not usual for him, but I think the exhaustion of the past 5 or 6 days finally settled in. His temperature has been stabilized for a couple of days and I am truly blessed that we recognized the heatstroke in its early stages and were able to treat it so quickly.

P.S. Donny is lucky to have you in his life, and by the sounds of things you are lucky to have him too.

Cherie Anderson said...

Ugh, not another one of these "leave your pet behind" ordeals. :(

Thanks for the post; I enjoyed it! With all that is bad in the world, you show that there are kind, caring people.

Marathon Someday said...

Kleo - your posts always make me think about things from a different perspective. We take too much in life for granted, and don't spend nearly enough time appreciating what we have! And your posts make me realize that.

I think you're such an incredible person for all that you do - and clearly, Donny does too.

Marathon Someday said...

And I must have been asleep or something, but I missed your bit about Moz!

I saw his comment on true-to-you.net about Richard. Oh, Morrissey is so tongue-in-cheek and brilliant, isn't he?

So sad that there may not be a US tour for his new album. That means, no pregnant lady swooning in the front row either. Tee hee.

kaivegan said...

K-
In my world, compassion for animals is just an extension of compassion for men. Of course, not everyone will agree with me. In you, I see hope. And love. Thank you.

Kuntal Joisher said...

Yayyyyy!! for Donny and Kleo both.. u r such a wonderful person Kleo!! we all can learn so much from u.. and yea talking about morrissey.. I've been listening to the song Meat is murder continously.. great lyrics..

Gary said...

You're an angel and an inspiration.

It wasn't that many years ago we swept the disabled to the forgotten edges of society...