Sunday 11 February 2018

Sunday

Does anyone else find it quite refreshing that we are having quite a 'proper' Winter this year?   For the last few years our Winters have been mild and damp - what they call 'muggy' up here in Yorkshire.   Now this year the season seems to be on time.   The aconites are in full bloom, snowdrops - on the farm they were quite often out by New Year- are only just into full bloom here and even the early miniature daffodils are just coming through.

Driving out for lunch today it was good to see Canada Geese in quite significant numbers in some of the damp fields.   When we returned they had gone - presumably up the Dale into Wensleydale, where they tend to congregate in large flocks each Winter. 

On my morning walks with Tess I pass  a hedge of hazel.   The catkins are not even beginning to 'break out' yet although I suspect if I went back to the farm where there is a sheltered hedge of hazel, it might be a different story.    And one week of warmer weather would, I am sure, be enough for everything to put on a spurt.

Do you give on a regular basis to charity?   If so, then like me I expect you have been both shocked and disillusioned  by the revelations of the past few days.   It begins to look as though the problem may well not just be with Oxfam and I am sure that all the large charities will suffer greatly as many people withdraw their support.   The whole problem also is that many of these organisations do pay their Heads rather large salaries which again makes one question giving.   And yet seeing the people in areas where help is so desperately needed just makes the decision of whether to withdraw support or not even harder. I suspect that by the time we get to the end of next week we shall have read much more about the whole thing.

Another week starts tomorrow - another week of wintry weather forecast  - but at least a week that includes Shrove Tuesday - pancake day.   Our little gang is planning to go out for lunch on that day - a lunch of streaky bacon, pancakes and maple syrup.  Can't be bad.   Enjoy the week whatever you may be doing - and wrap up well to keep warm.

20 comments:

busybusybeejay said...

I donate to a Third World charity that my brother runs and have just started helping a locally based charity called Shareaid which helps refugees and also the homeless in Chester and North wales.It is run by volunteers.I have donated money,clothes,crocheted blankets and 14 hats I have knitted!!

justjill said...

Depending on what you read, which newspaper....there are different stories and evidence of what has gone on. As far as I can see it was dealt with properly by the main charity. I do now tend to give to local charities. But that choice is mine. and nothing to do with the great work larger charities do..There are bad eggs in every nest.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

My mother-in-law volunteered for Unicef for many years. It was crushing for her when it was found to be dodgy in its finances. Pancakes and bacon sounds perfect for this coming Tuesday! -Jenn

Gail, northern California said...

I prefer to donate local---our volunteer fire department, the Senior Center, and The Humane Society. Then I can readily see my dollars at work.

Speaking of The Humane Society, they can always use old towels and washable blankets. It doesn't cost you a dime, and a sick or injured animal needs comfort immediately.

Charles said...

Well well what a surprise, international smug overpaid charity is caught out. I give locally and even then you get taken in, charity is still worth its weight in gold but the giver needs to be much more careful. How sad that deserving people are abused by those paid to look after them. Oxfam is history as far as I am concerned, I have not noticed anyone there taking a pay cut....

Tom Stephenson said...

We haven't had the classic Winter that you have had further North this year. We normally donate to the St Martins in the Fields charity around Christmas, but I have been in such debt for the last two years that H.I. has, but not me. I tend to give money to one junkie I know here, who has lost one arm and one child.

mrsnesbitt said...

Pancakes on Tuesday - Lemon and sugar! Dxxx

DUTA said...

I have become very careful about my charity giving. I don't wish to feel cheated either by the "charity" organizations(hundreds of them in my tiny country - sign it's big business) or by the people "in areas where help is desperately needed"(you'll be surprised of their possessions and way of life).

Mac n' Janet said...

We seem to have left winter behind for a while, we're in the 70's, how ridiculous is that.

kt said...

I also try to give to local charities only. At least you can see where your money is going.
What is "streaky bacon"? Bacon with lots of lean in it? Sounds good, especially with pancakes and real maple syrup! Will have to remember that on Tues.

Joanne Noragon said...

It's been a proper winter here, and I can hear my mother bemoaning "open" winters, not good for the upcoming growing season. Mother would be so pleased.

Cro Magnon said...

I remember when the Oxfam scandal first appeared (2008 ?); no-one seemed to make a big fuss about it. I don't know what's so different now! All of the big charities have huge expenses and salaries. It's BIG BUSINESS. Years ago I did a piece about 'Save the Children', showing how many people needed to give how much money just to pay the top four directors salaries (it was enormous). I was highly criticised! Prostitutes are everywhere, and for some bizarre reason there are always men ready to employ them!

thelma said...

There is always a certain amount of shock when we learn of the various shortcomings of charities but the dilemma comes when you think of the people they are helping. Should our government stop the 31 million pounds they give, thereby punishing the wrong set of people?

Librarian said...

I am not a millionaire and therefore can only give relatively little money. All the more important it is to me to know my small contribution can make a difference. And that is, I think, achieved by smaller, local charities such as the animal welfare charity I regularly donate to.
My big birthday is coming up next month, and I have put on the invitation that I do not want presents but hope my guests will put something in the donation box I will provide. On consultation with O.K., I chose Oxfam (the German branch, obviously) - that was weeks ago, and I will not reverse my decision because of the recent reports.
As someone else here said in their comment, sadly there are bad eggs in every nest, and the bigger organisations tend to make it easier for some to be bad - it is in the nature of the system, and when there is a lot of money involved, there will always be those who misuse it.

Rachel Phillips said...

When Paul Theroux returned to Africa he found the school he had taught in without books, few pupils, run down and in poverty. The aid from the West had been used to build the Governor a new house. Theroux wrote two volumes about his return to Africa and Weave has also read these books because we have discussed the subject before. His conclusion was that western aid does more harm than good and slows self-driven progress. As for charities and scandals, what one wants to believe depends on how deep one wants to put ones head in the sand. I would guess that at worst 10p and at best 25p in the pound goes to the cause and the rest to charity overheads. If you are happy with this then carry on paying to them. If not give to a beggar.

Heather said...

I am always pleased to have a 'proper' winter. I find mild winters worrying and wonder what will happen to our crops and wildlife if they become the norm.
Yes, I do donate regularly to various charities, taking over from my husband's list. He used to check up on the salaries of their directors before making the decision to donate! The way that some charities have misused funding is atrocious and I often wonder how many millions of Britain's foreign aid has gone the same way.
Enjoy those pancakes - they sound delicious.

Midmarsh John said...

A 'proper' Winter helps to reduce some of the pests as well, like waps.
I don't support international charities. I do support some national and more local ones. For international 'aid' I now use Lend With Care and Kiva where you can read about the actual people you can choose to help. Those companies loan money to individuals and small groups which is gradually repaid, without interest to me. I can then re-lend the money to others.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

I used to work for a charity so very little surprises me as far as their ability to waste money is concerned. Inefficiency and muddled priorities are par for the course but exploitation, abuse and suppression of the truth are beyond anything I might have expected from such an organisation. I only hope that people will give to smaller, more needy charities instead of the big ones.

Gwil W said...

An famous oil company donated a school to a village in Africa where it was drilling exploratory wells. When I say school I mean an empty shed. When the company finally left they left behind an oily swamp of poisoned land not fit for anything. Sometimes charity stinks.

Hard up Hester said...

I,stopped donating to large charities many years ago. I now only give to small local charities.