Paperwork Expansion?

Remember those little notes that came with certain publications, particularly tax papers assuring you that this sender endorsed the Reduce Paper Work policy?

And, computers with storage disks of all sizes were supposed to make us live in a paperless society! hah!

Until I had a computer and worked with computer people, I was not closely acquainted with more than two resources who ordered paper by the case!

These days, papershredding for businesses has become a major industry. Not, I think, so much as to protect our heavy duty secrets as to conceal the drivel we are compulsively printing day after day. At least there is some gain in the recycling opportunity. Paper can be reused. It can even end in a compost situation and avoid the landfill.

Our household accumulates just enough paper to be frustrating, but not easily recycled. We shred most of it and feed it to some nightcrawlers working hard at composting in the basement. What they can't keep up with, we put into the compost pile and return the dust to dust.

Printers become more available and work better all the time. Our eyes are not evolved to work well with a screen. I want to look at that again and not have to try to remember which website I found it on. I need some documentation because you will want to know what I have been working with. I've just shared a profound joke with you and you want to preserve it. You are determined to get me signed up for a credit card or sell me some other service and need to mail your proposal to me. I think the paperless idea isn't working.

Maybe if we tried reverse psychology and encouraged paper use, we would see a decrease in the paper!

what is YOUR cue to bring people to mind

Do you have a 'cue' that you use to help you remember to honor or pray for those who are in service far from home? Military people; missionaries, social servants, diplomatic workers who have chosen a life style that puts them in different and often dangerous cultures and regions.

Do you find yourself getting SO involved in your daily rat race that these people are far from your mind? I am concerned that I will and deny them a level of spiritual and perhaps even personal contact and support that they need.

So, do the headlines act as your tip? Do you 'fast' something; giving it up and making it a reminder to remember those who have chosen to put themselves in harms' way for the good of your country, society and the philosophy that you endorse by choosing to live and work in America?

More Mansfield Christmas

Mansfield has this marvelous silhouette

creche sitting on the town square. I like the simple lines and plain white paint.

The garden club has gotten some darling little snowmen and toy soldiers to be part of other decorations.

The community got together this afternoon for a tour of homes and lights, then the Historical Society served chili, while the Garden Club braved the dropping temperatures to serve hot cocoa, hot cider and homemade cookies.

The short, but just right parade got the seasons spirit off to a good start.

Mansfield Chamber of Commerce watches for a Vision

The Mansfield Chamber of Commerce held an election of officers and board members this past week.

We're trying to get a focus on our revered citizen, the late Laura Ingalls Wilder. Mrs. Wilder wrote her marvelous children's books from her farmhouse near Mansfield and was active in the community and in educational projects, financial projects and the religious community.

A dramatic, beautiful bust of her in her mature years stands on the Mansfield town square, being one of the first things to greet citizens and visitors to Mansfield

Christmas is coming to the Ozarks

Today was a veritable round-robin of community Christmas celebrations. Ava started last night and some of the others may have as well. There were parades in Ava this afterhoon, in Seymour at late afternoon and in Mountain Grove and Mansfield this evening.

It occurs to me that we could make a true tour of this day and promote the idea of the various celebrations, schedule things so visitors and local citizens could travel to more than one town if so choosing. The homes along the highway are, to a great percentage, decorated. We could make this an even greater project; carry the trail of lights on into the new year and make our highways an area not to miss when people are coming and going from the sights in Branson.

The weatherman has been begging for snow all week. At Mansfield, about 6:45, there was a STIFF breeze, rapidly dropping temperatures and some mist/snow. We parked so we could view the parade in a nice warm vehicle if necessary and braved the breeze to cross the Square.

The flags were celebrating Christmas! The flag in the oval is located at the Mansfield Veterans' Memorial and the other flags are on the large pole near the gazebo. The moon is shining over the larger US flag and Missouri state flag; while a street light illuminates the US flag at the memorial.