Today is #GivingTuesday

Do you have a favorite charity? Today, I have three and each will receive a small but meaningful donation from me. I’m not saying that to brag (because that would be unChristian to brag). I’m saying that just by way of encouragement.

We don’t give much to charity in Puritan New England

This is the first of a series of columns I’m writing for the New England News Collaborative. Enjoy.

I’ve never understood cynicism

On Sunday, I wrote a column for Mother Courant about the need for providing household goods for people who have been homeless, but now are being housed through Greater Hartford’s 100-day challenge. The response has been, in a word, incredible. Sara Capen Salomons is the contact person for Journey Home, the lead agency in the …

Not letting your right hand — or potential voters — know what you’re giving…

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney has said that he is reluctant to release more of his tax returns because he doesn’t want others to know how much he gives to his Mormon church. There’s actually a scriptural reference for that.

My favorite thing from yesterday’s newspapers:

Don’t Indulge. Be Happy. A New York Times Sunday Review piece by researchers Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton (authors of the upcoming book, “Happy Money: The Science of Spending“) says that once you’re earning $75,000 or so, you’re about as happy as you are going to be, and any extra money is just superfluous. They …

I have an invisible tattoo on my forehead

It says “I care,” and I’m often surprised when people can read it because I usually forget it’s there. I had Monday off and used it for running errands and granny-ing, a new word I just made up. As for the latter, we saw “The Muppets” movie and I highly recommend it. As for the …

A completely unscientific poll!