All is great in the neighborhood! Aren’t you just loving the snow? The dusting of snow we received on Christmas Eve was so beautiful! And it was just enough to hide all the dirt areas.

Willie and I were fortunate enough to help Jeanne Allen put up some icicle lights at Peyton Sanchez’s during the afternoon hours, while it was still warm. Jeanne was up on the ladder, and said “I’m not worried, because if I fall, Ruthie will do a fundraiser for me!” Silly girl! Later that evening, Grandma Arla Henderson took a picture of the lights in the snow, and it certainly gave me a feeling of happiness.

As long as we are talking about fundraisers, our seventh annual Memories and Reflections here at the Green Spot, was beautiful. We want to thank all who attended and generously donated. That money will go to our friends and neighbors who truly need help, as they wage the battle against cancer. Even more than the money, is the “spirit,” the hope, the energy that we all feel and freely give. It’s quite an emotional evening. We raised almost $3,600.

I know, I know … I just thought of another way for folks to give … just in case you haven’t felt the spirit yet. I had texted the Valley Humane League a few days ago to see if they had any babies that needed bottle feeding over the holidays. Lo and behold, I should be getting two to three puppies any minute now. This poor mama was trying to take care of 15 puppies from two litters (think capital letters)! Although she was doing a good job, it wouldn’t be long before these cute little, innocent puppies would drain her dry. For the heck of it, I did a little math to see what the impact of those strays could mean. If only seven of those puppies grew up and had six puppies each, that would be 42 new animals. If only half of that 42 had six puppies, that would be another 126!. Can you see the dilemma? And that is why we need the Valley Humane League and all the staff and all the volunteers?

At the same time this was happening, I had a memory pop up on Facebook. The memory was of a picture I had posted three years ago. It was of a big, beautiful black poodle mix up for adoption. Vickie Archer saw this pup and fell in love. She drove down from Denver the next day, through a snowstorm to give Gladys her furever home — a match so perfect! Gladys is one, lucky dog, that’s for sure.

At the time, Vickie was going to make a donation to the VHL, and that got me to thinking that I needed to donate $10 for each of my animals. Sheila Sanchez is donating for her animals and Vickie is donating more and Regina Rice is sending in $40 for her four pets. How easy is that? Join the club and keep this shelter going. The address for the VHL is 6414 County Rd., 107 S. in Alamosa. Every donation adds up and keeps this shelter, and other shelters going. Did you know that in the spring, there will be a ground-breaking for a new shelter, out by the airport? How lucky we are that the Denver Dumb Friends League “adopted” our Valley and its animals.  This new shelter is going to be so awesome.

I’m not done yet. Peyton and his mom, Sheila, counted up the donations for the Wheelchair Accessible Swing, and we are to $891 plus $500 from the San Luis Valley Federal Bank, plus another couple of hundred dollars and we are almost to $1,600.  Thank you to everyone who has helped. It is truly wonderful how we gather together as a community to support honorable causes.

I am thankful for the money entrusted to me this week from LH, SG and RQ. The total $250 will be used to help Leo and Maria get settled in their new apartment. I’m very hopeful that their place will be ready next Tuesday. I’m still looking for a recliner or a love seat — in decent shape — if you have one to spare. Keep your fingers crossed for them — the trailer that they are in is very marginal — and that’s being very generous.

In closing … thank you all for your support this past year! When I leave a sign on the door that says I am dressing up as a reindeer (or a gorilla) for my granddaughters’ school, or my grandson is getting stitches on his toe (Thursday) or helping someone out, you are all so understanding.  I appreciate your understanding more than you will ever know. I am hoping you all have a joyous New Year.

Peaceful and full of good health and prosperity. And a puppy in every home — three have arrived — if you want to see something cute, come on down.

And, by the power invested in me, by me, I hereby declare you can leave your Xmas lights up until the end of January, or longer. They look so beautiful.