Jane Addams Hull House Closed

How many of us haven't thought about Jane Addams and the Hull House since high school?  Even living in Chicago, I pretty much never think about it unless something newsworthy, out of the ordinary happens for me to hear about it.  For 122 years, though, the people at the Hull House have been making a difference in Chicago.  They offered 50 programs for those in need with services in child welfare & foster care, education & literacy, homeless services including housing, senior services, and services for victims of domestic violence and their children.  They were a non-profit organization helping around 60,000 people in Chicagoland.

Today Chicago is different, though.  This is the first week in 122 years that the Hull House won't be helping anyone.  In a time of shrinking donations, the Hull House has closed its doors, unable to afford to fill the gaps in the government's social safety net.  

Some people these days say that government is too big and we should leave the responsibility of taking care of the poor and needy to charity and individuals.  I think this is a clear example of why we need the government to maintain services that help the poor.  It's great to give a dollar or some food to the homeless man on the corner.  It certainly makes us feel a little better in the warmth of our own homes, but it really doesn't help him much.  Charity can only do so much, and it can only do it if we as individuals give of our plenty.  Unfortunately, too many of us want to keep that plenty (or don't have it ourselves to give), and what we can't do through charity, the government can help to do whether we like it or not.  While deficits eventually need to be reined in, it shouldn't be at the expense of greatly needed government aid.

Chewing a Tune

At dinner the other night, Hummingbird stopped eating after a few bites to tell us that she was "chewing a tune."  Then she asked, "Do you know what I mean?"

Daddy and I both understood, and Daddy said, "Of course, you're chewing to the beat in your head.  I do that sometimes."

"Really?" I said, "that's so odd."  I do quite a many odd things myself, but I don't chew my food to the music in my head.

So, we started wondering how many people have done/do this...  Do you?

One More Fashion Post...

Okay, I am not a fashion expert, so I promise I won't keep this up much longer.  The next challenge was Open to Interpretation, ie. create an outfit inspired by a picture.

Here's the picture from J. Crew via Freckles in April. (I couldn't get the picture to post, so you'll have to link to it.)

And here's my take.

From the back because I love the small pleats
at the bottom of this skirt. 
And I must thank Lisa, who grew tired of
said skirt and gave it to me.

And from the front... 
You can't see the black heels very well,
but they have an adorable little bow at the toe.

Finally, another thought about the previous post. Hummingbird has no hesitation when it comes to mixing patterns, so when she stepped out of her bedroom today, I thought, Look at those patterns. I need a picture!  You may have to zoom in to see the polka dots on the leggings, but I love it.

Mixing Patterns

I've been following Rebekah's 10 Day Fashion Challenge at Verdant Bents and have been inspired by her outfits.  Most winter days I find myself in velvet yoga pants and a fleece pull over.  I rarely feel feminine and pretty, but Rebekah's outfits have all fit that description.  Today's challenge was to mix patterns.  I am not a pattern mixer, so I thought this could be hard.  Nonetheless, I wanted to try it, and to make it feminine and pretty!

I knew exactly what skirt I wanted to be the base of my outfit.  It's long, flowing, and patterned; plus it's in my favorite brown and neutrals.  I thought I would add a cozy, fuzzy striped sweater, so I would still feel warm.  Nope, I wasn't feeling it.

Back to the closet...  Patterns, patterns, patterns... Aha! That one!  Not at all warm, though.  Cardigan -- thick, no thin, I think... Yes, that's the outfit.

And I really like it.  I decided not to wear it for more than a picture today, though, because tomorrow I am going to a wedding expo with a friend and this is the perfect outfit for it.  I'd love to know what you think, but if you don't like it, please wait to tell me so until Saturday evening when I'll be back in my velvet yoga pants and fuzzy fleece...

On Sundays, I could even add more patterns with the head scarf...  I think I like it.