Just Ask For Help

I will be the first to admit, I am as stubborn as a mule or donkey. When I set my mind on doing a project at work, I do not like to wait for help. Instead, I huff and puff, moan and groan and put myself to hardship to complete my goal.

Tonight, I worked on the car seats. As I climbed the ladder many times and pulled and pushed each seat, I was being defeated by the weight and size of the boxes. The manager on duty, told me to get help. I told him, I can do it.

After a couple of hours, I realized I could not do it. So, I called on my walkies for help. My manager proceeded to answer by saying he was proud of me. All I had to do was just ask for help.

How many times do I find myself doing the same thing with God. I tell Him I can do it myself. Before I know it, I am over my head. God tells me, all I have to do is just ask for help.

Finally, I surrender and ask, He answer by saying He is proud of me.

Joy

Hi, Ginger man checking in for the last time. This holiday season has been a time of great joy and some great sadness.

With the lost of a few friends, my nephew and my aunt, today brings some pain to my heart. There are so many people who are trying to enjoy today without loves one. My prayers are with each one.

With the many stories that were shared about the many ways of showing the Holiday spirit, my heart is filled with joy. Thank you all for giving of your time, talent and love.

As the year winds down, I hope that we all can carry on with showing the love of God to our family, friends and others. Let us all commit to giving all year long.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all. Thank you for reading and sharing. This is Ginger man checking out until next year.

The Table Is Set

Hi, Ginger man checking to see who is coming to your house for dinner? The table is all set. Is there room for another?

My cousin told me the other day, that she was inviting a few new people over for Christmas dinner. Although they are family members, they have no where to go and would have been alone for this day. One just lost his wife and the other has always been alone.

I known of others who have invited neighbors who would otherwise be alone to their home for dinner. Some have even looked out for homeless people and set a place for them at their table.

 The table is set. Who will you invite to share it with you?

This is Ginger man checking out and looking to see who I can have over for dinner.

Kidnato

This is Ginger man excitingly checking in. Last night at a local toy store, was hit by a kidnato storm.  Over 165 children made their way through the isles picking out their Christmas gifts. The store was a mess when all was said and done.

This has been a yearly event sponsored by the Freedom Fighter bail bond company. Each child of a parent who is in jail, was allowed to spend fifty dollar. From 7pm to 9pm the register rang up family after family.

Every inch of the store was hit by the kidnato. It took hours to get the place back into shape. But it was all worth it to see the smile of each child as they left the store with their present.

It was worth it to see the registry tape wrapped around our friend who just forked out over eight thousand dollars, to make each child dream come true.

This is Ginger man checking out, praying that every child will have a gift under their tree this year.

Birds Of A Feather

Hi, Ginger man checking in. You know the saying "Birds of a feather flocks together."

Well, today I got a hatchimal. Now, I know, they do not flock. But they are rare to find. Just like this house finch I got today. I know they are around but they are hard to find. But he posed nicely for me today.

My good deed for today? I got this hatchimal, not for me or a family member, but for a little girl I do not know who's heart was set on getting one for Christmas. There is more to the story, but I will leave it at that.

We see that birds of a feather do stick together. We also need to see that people need to stick together as well. Life is much better when we do.

This is Ginger man checking out until tomorrow.

A Little Ice

Well, Ginger man here, enjoying the little ice storm we had. I could not wait until the roads were clear enough to go out exploring.I had to hurry, because the temperature was rising fast. Soon all the ice would be gone.

Another thing we must hurry about, is doing more things in the name of the Holiday spirit. This is the last week to give of our time, talents and gifts. I have been hearing great stories from the many fiends who are sharing.

So, what new stories will I hear from you all, before the week is over? The ice is melting fast and time is running out. Let us all get busy making this the best giving Christmas ever.

This is Ginger man checking out until tomorrow.

A Baker's Touch

Hi, this is just Ginger man checking in on the progress of the Holiday spirit. In the picture above, is one of my favorite thing about Christmas. Cookies.

One of the thing I have notice at my job, is that many of my co-workers have been bringing in homemade cookies. Today, we were treated to peanut butter cookies with a Hersey kiss in the middle. Yum, yum, yum. The cookie melted in my mouth.

There are many cookies that I enjoy eating throughout the season. My favorite cookies of all time, are Snicker Doodles. You see the jar in the picture as well as the tray? All Snicker doodle. If that was sitting on my table, they would all by gone by the morning.

So, if you have the baker's touch, this would be a great way to share in the Holiday spirit. I can not imagine anyone turning away a gift of home made cookies.

This is ginger man checking out, enjoying my cookies until tomorrow.

Who Got The Peanut?

 Ginger man checking in to see how you are doing living out the Holiday spirit. Any good stories to tell?

One of my favorite thing about Christmas is enjoying all the different nuts. Walnuts are my favorite.

Every time I hang out at the Mariner, I show my giving by putting out peanuts just to see who come for them. Beside the squirrels, many birds take their turn catching the nuts I toss out. The blue jays seems to love them the most.

Between the squirrels, the blue jays and other birds, it hard to tell who got the peanuts.

Christmas is a time to enjoy the nuts. Whether they be food or people, nuts are a stable of the Holidays.

This is Ginger man checking out.

Deck The Tree

This is Ginger man checking in.

 Do you have your tree all decked out? How many of you like themes trees? I for one like everything on mine. My tree is a hodgepodge of the old and new, homemade and store bought. It is a tree that tells a story.

Now, I know, every tree tells a story. Your tree shows off you personality. No two trees are alike. That is a good thing. Because no two people are alike. We are all unique.

So, through out the rest of the season let rejoice in our differences. Let us deck the trees with our own style.

This is Ginger man checking out.

Sharing Some Hidden Treasures

This is Ginger man checking in again. Today I got to visit some of Harford County hidden treasures. A birding friend of mine took time out of his day to show me some cool places to get great bird pictures. One of places we visited, we can across this blue heron sitting waiting for us.

After checking out this place we went to another hidden treasure and watched as a sharp-shinned hawk make his rounds from tree to tree. There were many small birds fluttering in the bushes, like juncos, white-throated sparrows and a few woodpeckers.

I felt it was only fair to show him one of my hidden treasure. So we headed off to a pond that he had never seen. It was a great morning for sharing these hidden treasure spots of Harford County.

This is Ginger man checking out. What hidden treasure can you find today to share in the spirit of the Holidays?

Family Time

Hi, Ginger man here. One of the thing we think about this time of year is family time. We find that we can be overwhelmed by the demands of our families. Just like the fox in this picture being crowded by the kits, she bearly had breathing room.

Holidays can be a time of stress. Between work, family, shopping and friends, we  run of time for ourselves. As we think about giving to others, we need to give a gift to ourselves, time to rest, take stock and regroup. We need to take care of our needs.

Family time can be both a blessing and a harship. This Ginger man will not give up even one minute of this time with my love ones.

This is Ginger man checking out. Remember to take care of your self so that you can enjoy your family time with out stress.

Record Tree

This is Ginger man checking in on day ten. How is the Holiday spirit reaching you? Are you enjoying all the decorations? I love checking out the many types of trees seen around town this time of year.

One of the best place to check out some great decorations and trees is 34th street. I love the record tree. It reminds me that this is the year to set a new record in my giving. Each record represents a different way of giving. I am trying to come up with twenty five ways.

The task is hard, but the rewards will be great. Maybe next year I will decorate my tree with records naming the many ways to give. I hope that I can set a new record each year.

This is Ginger man checking out until tomorrow. Happy  record giving.

Gas It Up

This is a first for this Ginger man. Here is a car that is plugged in. A car that doe not need gas. How cool is that?

Talking to a co-worker about the way to show the Holiday spirit, she told me that one of the thing she is doing is giving out gas cards. Now, how cool is that? This is something that everyone can use, except for the guy who owns the car in this picture.

There is not a week that goes by that I do not have to gas up my car. I like going to BJ's where I can get gas for five cent cheaper when I purchase something inside the store first. I did that today, in fact.

So if you you are trying to come up with an unique idea to show the Holiday spirit, get a gas card. Find a person who is in need and tell them to gas it up.

This is Ginger man checking out, until tomorrow.

Don't Be A Turkey

Hey, this is Ginger man telling you, don't be a turkey. Ti's the season not to be a Grinch, a Scrooge or a turkey. Ti's the season to find the good in ourselves.

There are too may people who try to steal the joy of Christmas, act like Christmas is a humbug or try to gobble our fun.

What if we turn the table and do good to those who try to ruin Christmas? I bet we can change a person heart and cause it to grow. We may chance a person mind and help them to find the true meaning of Christmas. Even better yet, we can help someone be filled with the Spirit of the Holidays.

Don't be a turkey. Be ready to give a reason for the season. Be ready to give a little of ourselves to help another find the true meaning of Christmas.

This is Ginger man checking out until tomorrow.

A Pet's Delight

Hi, Day seven of the Ginger man checking in. It has been a week of seeking new ideas of showing the Holiday spirit. Tonight a friend told a good one. She is a cat lover just like me. Pictured above is my cat Smokey.

As we talked about ways of giving, she told me how she had taken a pile of her cat toys and several begs of cat food and donated them at the local animal shelter. What a great idea to include our animal friends.

The cats, dogs and birds in these shelters need a little bit of our Holiday giving. If you can find it in your heart to stop by and drop off food, toys and money, I know that it will make a very Merry Christmas for them.

This is Ginger man checking out until tomorrow. Happy giving.

Gingerbread House

It me, you know Ginger man. We are going to talk about what I love the most, gingerbread houses.  It would be easy to eat myself out of house and a home.

It is the season to deck out our homes. How many decorations do you put out? Are you like me, a home full of the old with the new, hand made along with store bought? I like variety in my life.

As we spend another day to show our Holiday spirit, let us put variety in our giving. We can do something old fashion or something new. Let the spirit of this season lead you.

This is Ginger man checking out again, until tomorrow.
 

Unusual Heart

Ginger man checking in tonight. So, what unusual heart stories have you all been doing this week? I hope I am inspiring you to take action and show the Holiday spirit in unique ways.

One of the things that I get involved with is helping some of the seniors citizens decorate their trees for Christmas. One time while one of my other friend who helps out was pulling out hooks to attach to some ornaments, a few fell and made the shape of a heart. 

I knew we were showing our love and Holiday spirit and God was showing us that He approved by sending a sign of this unusual heart.

Is there anyone who might need your help this week? Maybe you can help out with decorating, shopping or even a little cleaning. You do not have to give a gift. Just give of your time. Time spent with someone can be the greatest gift of all.

This is Ginger man checking out until tomorrow.

Posing Squirrel

Hi, Ginger man checking in. So what good things are you doing today? Four days in December and I am just getting started. No action is to small when you are giving in the spirit of the Holiday.

Every time I take my nature walks, I like to take picture of the many people who I run into with there pets. There are times that I catch them in the action of interacting with the resident of the Mariner like this squirrel posing for me.

One such person has taken upon herself to feed the squirrels everyday. The squirrels are so comfortable with her that they take the peanut from her hands and her mouth. So, I took pictures of her with them.

Today I ran into her and gave her copies of the pictures. It made her day. A simple act of using my camera and spending less than a dollar, I showed the spirit of the holidays by using my gift of taking pictures.

What small thing can you do today that takes just your time and talent to make a person day?

This is Ginger man checking out until tomorrow.

Snow Bunting

Hi, Gingerman checking in. How far are you willing to go to get what you are after? Well, today I want to North Point State Park in Edgemere. This is a first for me.

Why, do you ask? Because everyone I know who loves birds were telling me that the snow buntings were there. I have never seem one much less taken a picture of any. When we got there, a couple of birders said that they were at the end of the pier on the rocks. So, off I went.

Disappointment set in as there were no birds on the rock. I waited for a few minutes, then headed back. Something told me to climb on the rocks and look a little more closely. There out poppped not one, not two, but three snow buntings. The trip was worth it after all.

My questions today is how far are you willing to go to show your Holiday spirit? Believe me when I say, there is no distant too far to give a little love. The trip will be worth it.

This is Gingerman checking out,

Titmouse Treat

Hi, it is Ginger man checking in. Did you get to show your holiday spirit today?

Today I did my usual tour around the Mariner Point Park putting out treats for the many birds of the park. This Titmouse was happy to pick his favorite.

Another round I made today was going to the many businesses and paying my bills. Today along with my payments I dropped off tin of cookies to show my Holiday spirit. It was nice to see the happy reactions I got as I wished them a Merry Christmas.

This is Ginger man checking out until tomorrow. I would love to hear your stories of the Holiday spirit you all are doing.
 

Ginger Man Eye

 Hi, I am a ginger man and I am keeping my eyes on you. Yes, I am talking to you. From December 1st to December 25th, I will be watching to see who has the Christmas spirit.

It is the season to put our focus on others needs before our own. As we shop for our friends and family, are we thinking about our neighbors in need as well? Do we have the spirit of a giving heart?

I do not know what my plans are yet. There are so many ways to show the Christmas spirit. I might back some cookies to hand out, donate to a local charity or just go to a neighbor. Even better yet, I do all three.

The point I am trying to get at is, let make this the year we give more than we receive. Lets find a way to give everyday. Tomorrow, this ginger man will be checking in to see what you are doing. I will also be reporting on my progress as well.

Happy Christmas Spirit to all.

Hawk Delight

Last week, a dear friend treated me to a night out. It was a dinner put on by the Mill for the birders. This night had a locale birder who trains birds of prey put on a show. I was in hawk delight. After the show we were able to take turn holding on to a Harris Hawk from Texas.

I missed out on the hawk migration watch last mouth. This dinner made up for that beyond my wildest dreams. Also, as I make my rounds at my many favorite locations for bird watching, I have been getting many pictures of hawks.

I caught on camera a Northern Harrier, two Red-tailed Hawks and for the past three days a Red-shoulder Hawk hanging around the marsh. The Cooper Hawk has been hanging at the Mariner and today I caught a him flying around.


At the dinner, the hawk trainer brought a Red-tailed Hawk and a screech Owl. It was a great dinner with a great friend and a true hawk delight.

The Mariner Man

There is a new face in town. Today at the Mariner Point Park, the new and improved Mariner man was revealed. Chainsaw artist Paul Waclo devoted many hours to making this piece out of white pine from the Eastern Shore. If the Mariner man could, I am sure he would raise his hat to a job well done. Paul did him proud.

The first Mariner man was smashed to pieces in 2002 by a drunk driver who swears that the Mariner jump out in front of him. An artist from Maine was commission to do the second statue. he was known as "The Mad Whittler." He was also the one who did the first one.

Mariner man two suffer decade and damage from termites. He was refurbished twice and now resides at the rec. center.

Here are more pictures from today. We were bless with a great day for the reveal.

 

I like how the rainbow made a showing in this picture.

Getting ready for the announcement.

Getting an award.

The reveal begins.

The reveal.

His ride along friend.

Introducing the new Mariner.

All in all, it was a great day. I look forward to visiting the Mariner Point Park even more. Thank you Paul for doing such a great job.