Giveaways, holidays and you

Collage by Toronto-based artist Colette Copeland.

To celebrate Thanksgiving - and all you wonderful readers - I'm hosting a giveaway for this beautiful original collage by artist Colette Copeland. You may know Colette through her blog A Bird in the Hand or through her work featured in Somerset Studio and Artful Blogging. On Monday, Nov. 17th, I'll ask my charming assistant to draw a name from a chapeau. I've already purchased the collage, so Colette will mail it directly to the winner (I'm afraid if she sent it to me, I couldn't bear to part with it). To participate, please leave a one-sentence comment about something for which you are thankful.

On Sunday, Nov. 30, I will post information about a Christmas giveaway. I'll draw the winner's name on December 10, after returning from ten days in Philadelphia and New York. In Philadelphia, we'll be celebrating two special occasions a bit early: my daughter's birthday and Christmas. Sadly, it will be the first time Jordana and I are apart on those actual days. But work prevents her from coming to Paris for Christmas.

In Philadelphia, I'm also looking forward to meeting the clever, talented artist Karen Cole of Artsortments. The highlight of a quick trip to New York will be meeting the fabulous Gillian of Indigo Blue fame. I lived in New York for eight years, but it will be Gillian's first visit. It will be fun showing her some highlights of the city's charms.

These last few months I've been caught up in the American election, book deadlines and writing projects. Admittedly, I tend to get overwhelmed by too much all at once - which is why I've temporarily set aside participating in virtually all the writing groups of which I am a member. I've declined several social invitations. And blog-reading and email correspondence also have fallen dramatically, due to limited time. I try to snatch a few minutes here and there, but there are simply not enough hours in the day to keep up with everything I'd like to do. When I take on too much, I become anxious and subsequently, have trouble accomplishing my goals. For a Virgo with perfectionist tendencies, this is unacceptable!

In lieu of cards and gifts

The holidays tend to be a stressful time, due to obligations - real or imagined - of sending Christmas cards, hosting parties, etc. Last year, I sent Christmas or New Year's cards to an extensive list of friends and readers. This year, in lieu of all those cards, gifts and international postage, I'm making donations in your name (Friends and Readers of Paris Parfait) to two causes about which I am passionate: the Southern Poverty Law Center and Make It Right Foundation.

Based in Montgomery, Alabama, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) helps teach tolerance, fight racial inequality and defend those who are victims of racism. For instance, this week, SPLC is in Brandenburg, Kentucky, where Morris Dees and Richard Cohen are going to court Wednesday against the leader of Imperial Klans of America (IKA) to win justice for Jordan Gruver, a teenage boy brutally beaten by IKA members.

Led by Imperial Wizard Ron Edwards, the IKA is one of the largest and most dangerous Klan organizations in the country. Edwards hosts an annual "white-power" rally at his compound, where he indoctrinates followers in hate and violence through speeches, music and the display of violent, racist imagery. Small children are even brought to this festival of hate.

Gruver was attacked by Klansmen who had attended one of Edwards' white-power rallies and were recruiting for the IKA at a county fair. They thought Jordan was, in their words, an "illegal spic." Jordan, a U.S. citizen, suffered serious injuries, including a broken jaw. Online donations to the Southern Poverty Law Center are accepted here.

The Make It Right Foundation is helping rebuild New Orleans's Lower Ninth Ward. The foundation is building new eco-friendly housing for Hurricane Katrina survivors who lost their homes. Donations of $5 or more are accepted here.

I also have donated funds to help Odette and her family, who are facing several daunting challenges at once. I was introduced to Odette in San Francisco by Jen Lemen (who just happens to have a heart of gold). You can read Odette's story here.

Armistice Day, Veterans' Day and a special birthday

This day marks three important occasions. It's Armistice Day in Europe, honouring the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I. In the United States, it's Veteran's Day, in tribute to our war veterans.

It's also my friend Tangobaby's birthday. Stop by and wish her well and enter the giveaway for her upcoming book featuring photos of San Francisco's Mission District.

Comments

[Helen]

I am thankful just to be and all that goes with that!

[Tammy]

Tara, I've so enjoyed your informative posts during and after the election. These steroids have made me feel funny and I'm sorry I've been MIA. I'm glad you will be taking care of deadlines, while having some fun. Talk soon!

Love,
T

[Dowew]

My grandfather died shortly before Halloween - although it was expected it was naturally quite upsetting for everyone. I am thankful that he loved us and that he was willing to be such a constant presence in our lives for so many years and that he isn't in pain anymore.

[urbanartiste]

I am thankful to be able to take care of the people I love and through the gift of being a teacher to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on my students' lives.

[rochambeau]

Dear Tara,
It will be exciting to meet Karen!! You will love one another!
THEN I will love the thought of you and Gillian traipsing around New York at Christmas time!

It's good that you are taking it easy!!
It's good that you are donating lieu of holiday cards.
Please do throw my name into the hat for a chance to win Colette's collage.

xox
Constance

[Krupo]

I was going to say I'm thankful for the results of the US election, but I see someone already said that. So instead I'll state that I'm thankful for the fact that the idiot who sabotaged my car during the Canadian election last month (we had a sign for the Liberal Party candidate) didn't end up harming anyone - though it was scary.

My brakes lines were cut! :(

So glad nothing happened to anyone's health/person.

[MamaChanga]

WOW, I arrived blog hopping from Rodrgvitz Style. What an amazing and beautiful blog you have. I'm really looking forward to viewing all the photos and reading more!

As for thankful, well, I'm very thankful for my precious twin daughters (Da'Gorgeouses) born 2 1/2 years ago weighing 1.4 and 1.5 lbs!! Thanks be to God they are doing very well now despite their rough start.

Hugs & Blessings!

[Mary]

I love to live in Paris vicariously through you!

I am thankful for the wonderful memory of Thanksgiving 1999: my late husband, my dear Michael, proposed to me on that day.

[stephanie]

I'm happy that you will be able to spend time with Jordana, if not Christmas. Wonderful ideas here to donate to worthwhile organizations.

AND you get to see BOTH Karen and Gillian...lucky lucky lucky, give them both kisses and hugs for me!

x..x

[Joanny]

Tara

Your blog is interesting indeed! A mixture of beauty & satire, poetry & truth. . . As an American ( who did not vote for Bush )
it will take many long years to right the wrongs and collateral damage done by this administration. We will never quite be the same --- but out of the ashes will rise the spirit of the American people and hopefully we will create a better "Dream" with a solid foundation for "all the people"

Joanny

[marbetd]

After experiencing a serious health issue with my sister, I am thankful for good health! It is no small thing, one which we often take for granted.

[My Mélange]

I am thankful for our friendship and for the great citizens of the US coming together and electing Barack Obama our next President!!

[gillian at indigo blue]

OMG! I am thankful too!~
For the power of blogging to open my eyes to world issues, politics, style, the plight of others, arting, crafting, antiquing....all of it. It is such a powerful medium that has changed my life.
Right now I am thankful that my father is recovering well from his surgery...and I'm thankful for YOU! You have been the catalyst for new experiences, new relationships and new points of view.
For all that...I thank you!
xo

[Dale Elizabeth]

I am thankful for the fabulous photos and thoughtful commentary you post -- I work in the marketing department of a large law firm and escape to Paris and other locales thanks to you when I can spare a moment for a day dream or two. I often share the incredible vitrine images with our most creative graphic arts person to help keep her inspired. Hoping someday to make a return trip to my favorite city, at least I have your blog to satisfy the cravings.

[gemma]

I'm thankful I met the lovely Blue earlier this year. She is delightful! Have fun in NYC!!!

[RD]

There have been times this year when I couldn't have easily answered this question. In the last few weeks I have begun to feel gratitude once again. I'm always grateful, innately, for my children, for my family. It's nice to stop and think about why. This week I've been experiencing a tremendous sense of gratitude knowing that these last eight years of havoc are almost over. I'm grateful for the reminder that there are so many worthy causes that could use my support. Last week I picked out Christmas cards and then put them back, feeling guilty about how much paper the millions of people sending cards are using. I think I'll contribute an amount equal to the postage I would've spent.

[Christina]

I am thankful I was here to witness not only an african american man become president, but to witness the peace and hope it has brought to so many minority men in this country.

Side bar: I am thankful for you, I will leave it there, so the tears stay in the corners of my eyes. If someone would have told me that my frustration could be turned into such love and passion, I wouldn't of believed it. This journey has been quite the ride, so thankful I was on it with you. Wink.

To know that these hate groups are still going strong, sickens me. This sounds like a wonderful cause. I will hit the link and visit.

; )

[Kate Robertson]

I am so thankful that the election turned out the way it did. to bring hope back to so many is not a small thing.

-Kate

[robin bird]

The very first thought that comes to mind in answer to your question is that i am overwhelmed with gratitude for simply being alive!
XOX

p.s. i will place my long comment on another post ;)

[boliyou]

I'm thankful for people like you, who put the needs of those who are truly desperate before those who want one more card to tack up on the wall.

I'm not sending cards this year, either, and will be doing some alternative giving of my own. I made the choice not to send cards as an environmentally-conscious decision (paper and fuel). Thanks to you, I'll be making a donation of the cost of cards and stamps to my local food bank.

[Mindy]

I have too much to be thankful for to even mention. Life is a little tough right now, but it's also pretty good. P.S. Who won the L'abeille black lacquered sign?

Tara responds:
The L'abeille sign is on its way to Missy in Louisiana.

[Becca]

Tara, I applaud your decision to contribute to worthy organizations in lieu of cards. That's something I've been considering doing myself for some time, and I feel it would make the holidays much more meaningful for me. You've given me good inspiration in that direction!

I would love an opportunity to own such a beautiful work of art. So certainly, enter me in the collage.

This year, I am most thankful there is hope for change in our country, and in the world.

[jeanie]

So many things to add in this comment -- so bear with me! First, the collage is simply stunning. Win or lose, someone will be a lucky person to have this beautiful art in their space. So, I'm thankful for Colette and her generosity and talent.

I am grateful for all the inspiration I receive from you at every visit -- and inspiration on every level. The inspirational posts on our election (hooray!), the photography which can make me smile or move me to tears, and the beauty and creative energy you bring to the screen.

As you are, I'm grateful for places like the Southern Poverty Law Center, which has done so many good things for our country, and I'd like to think our world. Your gift is a generous and thoughtful one. (And smart, too. I hauled out holiday cards last night, thinking the least I can do is address them... but there are so many...)

And on a personal note, I am thankful for the new friends I have made in my first year (almost!) of blogging, who have been supportive in our times of stress and have inspired me to be more creative and alive than before! There is so much to appreciate in my world. That's part of it.

[Michaele]

While I'm ever thankful for the health and safety of my family and friends, this year I'm thankful for the good fortune, friendship and love that have allowed me to set up my own personal inspiration/creativity nook, encouraging me to balance the work I love with my desire to create something away from my classroom.

Happy Holidays to you and yours Tara.

Michaele

[Linda@Lime in the Coconut]

I am thankful for gravity and static electricity.

*This is what my son answered in second grade when asked. It's now our families code for everything! Thankful for everything.

[tangobaby]

I am thankful that the world has much more goodness and kind hearts than I used to imagine it did. Proof positive is YOU. I guess that means I am thankful for you. Because I am!

And again you inspire me. I love the idea of making a donation instead of sending out cards. I will follow your lead in the example too and think of an organization that I would like to embrace.

Thank you for the birthday wishes!

[glorv1]

I am thankful for being able to have had my son for the 45 years I had with him and am thankful for now being able to slowly move on in life and begin to enjoy it as well.

[Brenda Kula]

Oh, I forgot what I'm thankful for. I am thankful that my daughters are sensible in nature and we do not have to go the route of spending money to prove we love one another. A phone call hearing their voices is gift enough to me.
Brenda

[Brenda Kula]

We all need, I think, to stop heeding this feeling that we must send out Xmas cards, etc., putting undue expectations on ourselves. I for one told my children, leave it be, forget the gifts. Let's make it simple and not just trade our money from me to you, and you to me. I do not send Xmas cards out, though I do some handmade items for my husband's hospital co-workers. I have already stopped by to wish Tangobaby a good one. Let's give ourselves time to live and enjoy life and not have to follow tradition always. My youngest daughter turns 30 this week, and she will be getting a phone call and ecard.
Brenda

[martina]

I am thankful for good health.

[Marilyn]

I would love to win the collage. Good luck with all the projects you have going. May the holidays be a time of great pleasure and new surprises.

[gillian at indigo blue]

Some worthy causes there to donate to, thank you so much Tara. I appreciate that. In return, I shall do the same thing I did last year, I will donate to victims of the Rwandan genocide again, in lieu of cards etc. I will let you know once I do that.
I will also consider the New Orleans one you mentioned, as Julian knows people there and has taught at the University there so it is close to his heart. He has seen the devastation first hand. Nothing is yet close to what it was prior to Katrina. They still require a lot of help. Good for you for bringing it to people's attention.
Happy Birthday Tangobaby! I will pop in and tell her myself.
I am up to my eyeballs reconciling my own business woes; and take comfort knowing that you and a few others are in the same boat and it isn't just me!!! (Misery loves company, right?)
Okay, enjoy your day, get caught up, don't worry about emails and just know that I look SO forward to our little getaway in the Big Apple!!! Yay!!!!
xoxoxo
Gillian

[lacithecat]

I am soo thankful for the results of my doctor's appointment today. While they did/could not clarify everything, the big questions received good answers.

Very thankful!