Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Michael's Story

Yesterday, I was listening to the Hugh Hewitt radio show on my way to school and heard the most incredible story about a family and others helping a homeless, loveless, very socially deprived boy--Michael Oher.

After class I went to the University library, got online, and found the story. It's 10 pages long, but I couldn't stop reading. If you need your faith in mankind restored, this is the read for you.

It's a story of compassion and care to one of the least among us. Not only that, it's a story of very unlikely success.

I encourage you to read this. It will make your day.

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Robert's Gift

At Martha Cooper Library we have a group home for boys just half a block down the street. They are in and out two or three times a day--playing games on the computers, checking out movies, and occasionally picking up a book (often a comic book or Manga).

Robert is a shambling bear of a boy--maybe 15 or 16, coke bottle glasses, a black brush of hair, a yellow Sponge Bob t-shirt that doesn't quite descend to his pants and perptually looks as if it's three days from its last bout with a washer. His pants are baggy and held up by friction--sometimes you have to wonder whether gravity will eventually win out over friction. One glance from the rear tells you the lad could have a career in plumbing.

He's also just a little bit slow and needs help on virtually every foray through the doors.

Tuesday, hands behind his back, he came up to the desk while I was issuing a library card, leaned over, and said, "I've got something for you."

I acknowledged him and asked him to wait just a bit until I finished with the gentleman at the counter. He did--never moving from his spot, smiling quietly.

When I finished, I turned to him and said, "Okay, Robert. What've you got?"

He grinned as he brought a crumpled Whataburger bag out from behind his back and said, "I saved you half my triple meat burger and a few fries because you are always so nice to me and help me with the computers and stuff."

I can’t tell you how moved I was. For Robert to save half a burger would, on the face of it, be a major sacrifice. I thanked him and put the bag in the back.

Later on, I got a chance to take a look in the bag. There was half a triple meat burger all right—mangled, munched, well-gripped, and generally looking lucky to have survived the fate of the other half.

I have to smile even now when I think of it. Robert gave me a gift that day, but it was much more than half a burger and a few fries.

Robert gave me a sweet, funny reminder of why I’m doing what I’m doing—it’s not just about books and computers and dvds and talking books. It’s about touching and enriching the lives of the people in my community.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Virtual Ebook Fair

VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR

I thought there might be some people who would enjoy taking a look at the following website.

Free ebook downloads from a HUGE (300,000+ volumes) collection until August 4. The browsing collections are well organized.

Dale Savage


From Kim Komando's Cool Site of the day:

=====================================

Virtual book fair

These days, everything is going digital. So it should be no surprise that many books are available in electronic form.

The first was the Declaration of Independence, placed online by Michael Hart. He went on to establish Project Gutenberg. The Project's goal is to create a free worldwide library.

To mark Project Gutenberg's 35th anniversary, World eBook Fair is offering free access. You can download from the collections until Aug. 4. Thereafter, memberships are available for $8.95 annually.

There are more than 300,000 e-books available through the site. And they are yours to keep – forever!


TO VISIT TODAY'S COOL SITE, GO HERE:

World Ebook Fair


Friday, September 02, 2005


Dale on the San Juan Posted by Picasa

Thursday, September 01, 2005

For a long time I've been considering starting a blog. There are a number of things I would like to post about--food and wine, recipes, coffee... current events... books, poetry, music, art... life in general... the adventure of living and working in other countries and amongst other peoples... legacy thoughts for my children--my life history, thoughts on life, etc.

The breadth of what I've wanted to write about's probably been the biggest thing that's been holding me back. But I finally decided it's like the question, "How do you eat a whale?" Answer, "One small bite at a time."

With that thought in mind, I'm about to plunge in. But the unknown is always a bit scary. HOWEVER... A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step... So, here goes.

Wish me luck and come along for the ride,

Dale


Life is so filled with a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings! -- Robert Louis Stevenson