June 2017

July 4th is just around the corner and so is the heat.  I've never seen that holiday where the weather wasn't super hot and steamy.  Holidays come and go so quickly for hubby and I,  that we barely can keep up with them.   Three-day weekends are especially nice, because our family members pay us
a short visit before or after they complete their own weekend plans.  My busy, active,  family drop by mostly on the weekends.  Of course, we  do keep in touch by phone and face book during the week but in person is so much nicer.

It is good to keep up with how everyone is doing.  Face Book is good for everyone to post items that  each doing or planning to do this summer.  We are all older now so there is less drama.  Knock on wood, don't need problems.  The economy creates enough problems as it is.  Food prices go up weekly and the housing market is sky high when you want to buy something.

May God Bless each of you and your families like He has mine.  Take care and keep the faith.
your friend
Cooky :)

April Showers Bring May Flowers - Happy Easter 2017

HAPPY EASTER

Spring brings pastel colors, Easter, buds and blossoms.  The ole rustic cross. 

Beautiful, isn't it?  It surely is a nice homemade religious item.  My hubby is going to make one for me similar to this one.  So happy to be eating fresh vegetables and fruit again, even, if they come from a foreign country. I wish they all came from Canada because they have the most wonderful grocery items from their gardens and lakes. 

The salmon and seafood from there are so  tasty.   This time of year the water melon and cantaloupe are sweeter.  The pears, carrots, potato's  are a lot tastier this time of year as we move into garden season.

Health Issues In March - Spring 2017

This a good but limited chart that,  I use sometimes for my Warfarin diet -  High Vitamin K is a no-no if you are taking Warfarin for blood clots. 

Sinus problem abound for all who live in Virginia it seems.  Pollen and weather, pets and food present allergy problems constantly.

I got the flu this year and, it landed me in
the hospital.  Worse flu I have ever
experienced.  Very painful to the lungs and body.
It's symptoms and cough lingers for weeks to months sometimes. Highly contagious.

Arthritis is another health issue affecting joints all over one's body. Deteriorating knees and joints post a major obstacle in mobility for me.

Fibro Myalgia is always present in the shoulders and back muscles.

 Dry Skin issues are constant in the dry winter weather.  Sunburn post a grave danger, if you are on blood pressure medications during the sunshine days. Seborrhea is a problem on the scalp and other areas.  Yeast infections and cysts are also painful items one must endure at times. 

If I have forgotten anything, please let me know.  lol  

My Personal Two-Cents

At my Singer, I have been sitting all winter sewing up a storm. However, my storm is nothing in comparison to America's political storm  over immigration control.   Many foreign countries have dug their claws deep into American soil as they milk America for all its worth.  We sit passively by and watch as our very existence become controlled by foreigners.     It may be too late for President Trump to change things but at least he is trying.   My personal opinions follow:

Sometimes, I do feel guilty for having the basics in life, i.e., food, clothing, shelter, love and the ability to work and provide these thing for my family.  No wonder poor and wealthy people alike  on this planet want to migrate to the United States.   In addition, we  suffer being compromised in our democratic way of life.   Huge numbers of immigrants streaming into the USA compromise all our resources.  

 Is it hate or envy that foreigners feel for America?   They are taught from childhood to hate Americans aren't they?   Don't many foreign countries  burn our flag and fight against us.    Many foreigners, not just immigrants from other countries are rude, distasteful, pushy, greedy, grabby, sour apples bitter and resentful toward Americans.    I have been pushed  aside in the grocery stores, crowed out of  store lines, sneered at, among other things and I am in a wheelchair.   Look at Wal-Mart for instance.     There are so many internationals, in their native costumes, pushing ahead in the lines, talking in foreign languages acting rude and indifferent.   I hate to go shopping any more.  Foreigners from all countries are crowding the health system, as well as, the retail stores.  Foreigners are taking advantage of all opportunities in all our systems, as quickly as they arise, until nothing is left for us. They are buying up land and businesses everywhere.  You got to be fast, if you want anything new and fresh in the stores, because they get gobbled up by  hordes of foreigners  Sharing is noble but wait a minute..??? 

I fully believe that international peoples coming to the U.S.A are trying to take over our country and change our opinions and traditions.    Americans are now on the reverse-prejudice side of society.   We are losing the battle.  They are conquering over us due to their many numbers.   They have already changed many of our  traditions and values.  They want us to accept their beliefs.  For instance, Muslims wanted to add their holidays to calendars versus doing American holidays.

Immigrants deserve a better life than afforded them in their own countries.  However, at what expense to poor Americans. It is liberals, that have paid/paved the way for fleecing America. Millions of families  in America are starving and dying with no medical care and horrific living conditions.  Foreign aid has staggered our budget in so many ways, depriving our veterans, old folks and poor peoples, including children of the necessities of life.   American families are starving and need  help even more so than refugees.

I do not feel  guilty because the USA is blessed with an abundance of food and everything one can imagine. However, since we are readily giving it all away, no wonder there is so many people migrating to America. American men and women  are angry to say the least.  Take away food, shelter and jobs.  That is what American's are facing now.  Crime is rampant with so many being frustrated with our democratic system.    So many are homeless and dying according to the television news stories.  American's are homeless, dying and starving as well.   There is no end to the misery inflicted on humanity, because of our liberal leaders' generosity with American folks' money.      People all over the world deserve a better life.  Why do we poor folks in the USA have to always foot the bill for political decisions made by our so called reps in congress.  Our Veterans, service members and all Americans pay the price of footing the bill for immigrants.  Our forefathers never saw this coming when they signed the Declaration of Independence.

The drain on our resources and contributions awarded the newly arrived immigrants' welfare must end somewhere. There should be a limit to our contributions to other countries and its peoples.  Here in the US and abroad, American tax payers are footing the bill for every illegal alien that comes across a border from all countries, not just Mexico, South American, Middle East and Asia, etc.    In fact,  some immigrants have been in the United States all their lives and never paid a penny of taxes. Many are trying to force their religious beliefs on Americans.  It shows up in schools and across every television news report daily. There are tribes of immigrants living together that know how to milk the system and get free everything from food to no taxation on their jobs. The impact on American resources is dangerously reaching an all time high, that is draining the life out of this country and its people.   Then of course, there are the terrorist who were born here.  They are just as dangerous as those who cross the borders selling drugs. So many want to crush America.

 I don't have the answers. We are all immigrants, that come from immigrants that started America hundreds of years ago.  Christianity was big then.  It is a minority now.   How could anyone have known that America would be the destination for the rest of the planet?   I would think that all Americans should support President Trump in trying to halt the flow of peoples from other countries on this planet from entering America and taking over the country, squashing our principals, Christianity, beliefs and yes, compromising our own freedom.  Freedom of choice is at risk, for all of us now.  There is no freedom in America anymore.  Our rights have been compromised.  I feel, our leaders have done this to us.  I cannot put all the blame on immigrants crowding into the U.S.A.

Keep the faith
Cooky

February 2017

Snow Is On Its Way For Christmas 2016

There are snow storms heading to northern VA.  The weather has been so mild for the last couple months and it has been very enjoyable.   The thought of all the white snow throwing everything into a deep freeze is not comforting at all.  Each winter seems to get harder and harder putting up with the freezing cold weather. Being warm and comfortable is costly.  Heating bills get higher each year.  Worse than summer air conditioning bills.  The cold weather can cause such havoc for wild birds and animals.  Some survive but many succumb to the harsh elements of winter. 

Florida must be a nice, warm place all year long.  No heating bills and no snow.  Sure, some folks love the white snow. However, if you do not get snow where you live - one can long for the colder weather and wish for snow.  However, if you live with snow every winter, then it can be uncomfortable, to say the least,  having to trek around to work, school and shopping in the snow.
The winter's beauty of snow doesn't last long and is usually melting in a couple of days.  This leaves black ice and sludge on the streets and everywhere.

Bundling in layers of clothing to keep warm is for the young.  I used to think the cold weather was
invigorating to my old bones.  With the passing of time and the inevitability of ageing, the colder
weather just becomes a nuisance, that we have to deal with during the severe cold parts of winter.  Staying inside out of the weather can get boring, when one has exhausted all ideas for inside work and play. By January and February, the coldest months of the year, cabin fever invades our brain and we get a little stir-crazy.

Thanksgiving's Over - What's The Hurray For Christmas?

Christmas is a man-made holiday, supposedly to celebrate God's gift to us of the birth of his son Jesus.   Now, the word Christmas is taken out of the equation. It is call Happy Holidays, vs Merry Christmas. 

 We shouldn't wish our lives away.  Since Thanksgiving is over,  its time too hurry, hurry to make it fun and feel like Christmas... What's The Hurray?  I say: "Slow down and enjoy life if you can." We make the "happy holidays happy", not necessarily the gifts. It is an attitude of joy and wonder that abound around the holidays. I have tried for years to teach my adult children this concept.   Most people just need a few days off from their jobs to make them happy.

The holidays are consumer driver by the big retail stores.  Shoppers can actually find Christmas décor out in Sept.   Some stores are specifically open all year round for Christmas shopping. Many people have put up the Christmas Tree and decorated it by 1 Dec.   Many people keep their Christmas tree up all year.  Trying to keep the "happy"  that was felt during last Christmas. 

Whoa ! I did that once on the first day of December. Never again.  I was so sick of those decorations by the 25th.  Another year, I wrapped and shopped during the spring and summer sales.  There was nothing left to shop for by December. Bummer, it was.  That was no fun.  Even the tape on the wrapped gifts dried out and many popped open from the heat inside the house. 

As the kids get older and become young adults, we do slow down some regarding the holidays and expenditures.  Santa Claus is for the very young.  A belief, that when they find out it is not real, hurts their hearts when they are older.  Green Eggs And Ham is weird and old German tales could be confusing to children. Why do we try to confuse the little one with old poems, sayings and songs? I also wonder why we decorate with little ceramic cottages covered in snow and have trees.  Why do we try to recreate the old days when displaying Christmas.  Oh Well. 

I am not a scrooge, but the glamour of the holidays have certainly dimmed in my eyes.  There is Not enough money to buy what everyone actually wants. One to save all year in a Christmas Club to do the holidays; or use credit cards.  All that does not make me happy.  However, to be able to sit quietly and reflect on the birth of Christ.  All the  while,  listening to sweet Christmas carols and being safe and warm makes me very happy.

Saying prayers for all those people and countries that will not experience "happy holidays" this year is important.   Paying it forward, backward and sideways, if you can, help others this year.

Keep the faith,
Lora (aka cooky)

October 2016

Halloween is right around the corner.  Many folks have decided to give stickers or trinkets to kids this year versus candy.  I think that is a great idea.  Little plastic rings and other tokens of Halloween are plentiful and won't rot the teeth. 

September 2016 - Life Changes

Many folks are sad to see summer ending and autumn begin when September rolls around.   School starts  and once again we will hear the clunky buses rumbling through the neighbors and along the roads transporting excited children to their local schools.    Cooler temperatures are a blessing, along with the leaves starting to turn with hues of yellow and brown that catches the eye when looking out at the landscapes.

Summer went by very quickly this year it seems.  The temperatures were higher than ever - reaching 110 plus for weeks on end.  The air was heavy with the heat making it hard for some of us to breathe outside.  Insects such as ticks, aphids, spiders, wasps and other bugs were not as bothersome this year.  Probably because of  all the insecticide we had to spray last year.  Beautiful morning glories and plants growing bigger and better than ever in the shade of our small deck.   Not many blooms on the morning glories, however, the leaves are greener and bigger than ever.  My few rose bushes bloomed smaller this year.  The heat burned the delicate petals quickly along with the grasses and weeds. Traffic is worse and noisier than ever.  It is as if someone turned up the volume outside during the daytime.  At night, the cicadas are loud as ever, along with the frogs and insects.  Flies are trying to come inside and are a menace.  That is a sure sign of cooler weather coming.

Life cycles of all things are coming to an end.  Hopefully, they will have spread their seeds far and wide for regeneration of the species next spring. The same for all life forms, especially, human beings.  Humans seem to me to be the most vulnerable of beings during their life cycles.  One gets older more noticeably, when the movie stars they once watched as a child began dying off one by one, such as Gene Wilder, our Willy Wonka.  Soon we older folks will follow him to heaven. 
Think on the brighter side of life.  Football and its constant ramble of yadda has started.  I hate to see baseball and golf stop its reporting. Before you know it, basketball and hockey will be everywhere.

Keep the faith.
Your Friend, Cooky.

August 2016 - Election Time Almost Here

Voting is a privilege....do it.

Flag Chicken - No Pun Intended

I was struggling to draw, then paint a plain chicken.  It looked so barren:

I just had to jazz it up a bit:  No pun intended.  I am not saying the U.S. is chicken....or am I?????

Keep the faith. 

Dog Days Of Summer Are Upon Us - 2016

If it's too hot out there for ya, just stay inside and paint pretty pictures.  It is fun, creative and makes you feel good.  No matter what your age is, or your state of health, painting is a wonderful diversion from problems.  Don't watch the news - it's depressing.  I recommend staying  in tune with your happy self and keep a positive attitude. 

July Is Hot - 100 Degrees In The Shade

All I can think about is how to stay cool.  Staying inside in the air condition.  Wish I could go to the beach, but the heat would be hard to handle.  Here are a couple new digitally created paintings.
It is very nice to be able to paint by hand and then clean them up on the computer. God  Bless You.
Always, your friend, Cooky :)

Have A Safe Fourth Of July Holiday

Are hobbies a waste of time, if you do not have talent?

In my opinion.  One has to feel proud of their own work.  Otherwise,  is it a waste of time?  What is the use of doing it as a hobby, if the paintings are not considered to be very good in comparison to the masters' great works of art. Hopefully, my answer is somewhere in the paragraphs below.

For instance, Pinterest is very inspirational and the pictures are to die for.  However, recently, I changed my Pinterest settings in order to not have  them send me so many  "how-to-videos." on painting, cooking, etc.  When painting my pictures, doing the best I can, it is a downer to always see the same or close pictures, that are perfect in every way and looks like a photo.  Compared to my paintings, most works of art on this site are done by professionals with lots of talent and experience.   Their works put my stuff to shame.  There is a lesson in the next paragraph, please be patient while I explain.  lol

I remember when, I first joined a local art club and experienced my first art show.  It was an art show on a grand scale, outside, with hundreds of artist displaying and selling their art. Everyone's art works were considered by the judges for the best in show, etc.  I sold tickets for the show at the front gate.
It was not exactly cheap to enter one's picture, photo, or whatever for consideration in competition.

Some artists had dozens and dozens of their works displayed and ready to sell. It was a grand event with at least 100,000 plus  people coming to look and oft times buy items they liked.  It was more an art festival of enormous magnitude. 

  I  had just two small, framed pictures, that I had painted of my grandmother's old house.  The house was an historical site due to the fact that, it had been a hospital at one time or another during the civil war.   I distinctly remember  one young lady,  who had a small picture she had completed and wanted to enter it in the art show.  She paid the expensive admission fee,  because she was very, very proud of that one  little piece of unframed canvas.  She had created something wonderful and wanted to show it off to the world. I felt, feel exactly like this girl did about her one painting creation, in my work, just like all those professional painters out there in this world.   No matter how big or small, or how it may look to others, the feeling of accomplishment is still there.  By the way, first place was given to a young man an unknown artist , for his life sized painting of an American Indian. It didn't have a frame either.   Second prize went to a young lady with her small picture of a beautiful cat!

Now, some forty years later after my first show, I don't belong to an art club any more and do not compete.   However,  I am still learning and enjoying that wonderful feeling of accomplishment in painting my pictures.    It is definitely not a waste of time. 
 Keep the faith
Your friend, Cooky
A.k.a   Loramae :)

Lunch Is Served

Summer is here ! Bring on the salads and fresh veggies. Seasonings are key to the taste of each.

These are old stand-by salads with my twist on the ingredients.  Deliciousness that is easy to prepare, filling and enjoyable to the taste buds.
I saw a Pinterest chicken salad served in half an avocado that looked yummy.  I used tuna and pasta and wished I had avocados. 

The tuna salad has all the same ingredients that,  I use in potato salad, unless, its German potato salad.  No measuring required.  Chop and throw in the ingredients that you want to use.
Enjoy :)




1.  Tuna-Pasta Salad: Served cold
     Tuna (canned)
      Bell pepper
      Celery
      Onion
      Green & Black Olives
      Tri-Colored Pasta Spirals
       Oregano
       Basil
       Boiled, Chopped Eggs
       Salt and Pepper to taste
       Dukes Mayo
       Touch of yellow mustard

2.   Shrimp & Rice With Veggies: served hot
      Jumbo Shrimp
      Arborio Rice (Italian) Super Fine
      Baby Bella Mushrooms
      Rope Sausage (plain, cut into small pieces)
       Onion
       Bell Pepper
       Salt & Pepper to taste

4 June 2016 - Reality Shows And Freedom

Summer is hot in Virginia, and golf, baseball, swimming sports are everywhere.    Love to watch reality shows about winter on TV.  These shows remind me of how cold it can be in the mountains and on the lakes.   Mountain Men, Last Frontier and Bush family to name a few.  I am truly blessed to live in Virginia, where there is a moderate climate all year around - most times.

A few new shots on TV last night regarding Alaska's Brown family.  It was really fantastic seeing them jump into the ocean and have a real pig roast on the Pacific Ocean beach.    It was very kind of the mechanic who let them borrow his beautiful RV.  Their RV had died big time on the road trip.  Yes, I know the boys helped the owner of the shop doing something or another as partial payment to fix their RV that needed a new motor.    I think more people should be kind to them in that way.  Instead of being critical of the show, folks should send them stuff, like a case full of spam or chilly and maybe a tractor to help them clear the land.  Can't wait to see next week's episode.  I do not like all the commercials and repeats, as there are too many interruptions that waylay our seeing more of the family.   I wish Billy would stop saying "I don't know what to do." occasionally.    He knows everything and the boys are learning so much.  I just love that family and the spirit of freedom they are trying to represent.

Our "Freedom" in America is in dire trouble. The IRS coming after poor people instead of the rich,
State and county taxes on our personal property are rising along with utilities and cable food, medical, etc.    Waterways are being policed and hefty tickets given out in fines.  I really wish, that we all were free to pursue an independent life style free of taxes and bills and rich conglomerates controlling our lives and money.   We should have  the freedom to harvest food and fish in the oceans without all the licensing that is currently required.  Go down to the nearest fishing hole and you will get a ticket, if you have no license.  Lower these costs is my solution.  It will never happen.

I am not so sure that any president could ever fix these problems.  However, I hope whoever gets the presidency will be a responsible person in regard to some of my issues.  Taxing the old folks and poor makes no sense.  The scammers are out to get older people and anyone they can con.  The IRS is a scammer.  They want actual pictures of donations. One cannot claim donations like that stuff you gave to the local community Acts thrift shop or the food and money  you gave a neighbor to help them out.  What a crock.  I know how our democracy works for some.    However, at what price for freedom?  Now congress has a pending bill that would require young girls and woman to sign up for the draft, if it is passed. Woman and men should have freedom to choose what they want to do with the rest of their lives without fear of jail time, for not doing the draft thingy. 

In summary, real life cost so much money that we cannot afford to live freely.  I think it was tragic to send the Bush family members to jail.  They paid the money back already.    Billy is sick and probably mostly due to stress. Wish I could go live in Brown Town despite the bears..

Keep the faith,
your friend cooky

About Creative Talent

A colorful little southwest arrangement seems fitting for getting ready to have hot weather days.   Color and texture lend value to paintings.  However, theme is important as well.  Ethnicities have always interested me, especially in trying to paint people. God and our ancestors gave us talents,  many  that we didn't even know we had until we actually tried them.  Painting ethnic folks is fascinating to me.   I attempt to capture the varied styles of clothing and features first before the face.    That is, if,  I don't get tangled up in trying to paint details that bog me down and distract my mind from what is really  important in portrait painting - the joy of painting as a hobby.  That is what I am trying to achieve.

Many of my ethnicity paintings have been given away before, I knew how to  scan them into  the computer first.   I love the different type of ethnic features,  facial features and expressions.  If one can capture the essence of an individuals' personality, then it is possible to create a likeness.  Whether the art work is considered good, bad,  cartoon like, abstract or real life - capturing the jest of a person's nose, mouth, eyes, hair and personality can result in  a fairly interesting portrait of that person no matter what ethnicity.  I have learned more from watching portrait painting videos recently, than I ever could from practicing without the proper techniques being explained to me.  Thank goodness for You Tube and the many art lessons available on that channel and on Pinterest. 

I have been watching video art lessons given by dozens of fantastically talented  artist, who do just that. Each have their own unique style and abilities when painting pictures.  Sometimes, I feel that, I have no talent in art at all when I see how much real talent is out there.    Then again, my own cartoon-type style is more talent than lots of people have in painting and drawing.  One only has to see the work of students in elementary school and on up through and beyond college to know that talent is abundant all over the world.   When one dedicates their lives to studying art, it really makes a difference in their skill level.  Talent, of course, is God given.    Being skilled in more than one area of expertise is a God send.      So many different ways out there to paint things from a through z, one only  has to stay true to his or her own style and talents  to be  successful in any endeavor one
choses to pursue. 

God gave us some wonderful assortments of talents through out our lifetime.  Some talent is inherent and others are acquired through observation and higher learning.  Whether an artist is good or terrible, it is good that our creative side of our brain is happy doing something we are proud of and dedicated to in the different fields of artistic expressions. 
Keep the faith,
Always, your friend,
Cooky (aka lora) :)

May 2016

Summer heat is fast approaching.  Schools have only four more weeks of activities for students.
Vacationers will flock to D.C. to visit the wonderful monuments and archives.  The roads will be crowded and busy with more accidents -  some being  caused by young drivers. 

I don't look forward to scorching sunny days like, I used to when younger. When we lived near the river in eastern Virginia - sunny days were spent fishing and cooking out in rainy weather or good days.  Even in winter the days were so beautiful.  Some days were simply breathtaking, it was so lovely.  Now, all I want to do is curl up in the cool air conditioning with my paints and computer.
The weather, wind, sun and rain affect me and hubby badly.  Allergies are constant problems and our medications make us blister, if we get in direct sunlight. I long to go to the beach and walk on the wet sand.  Maybe this year, I will make it to the ocean once again.  It is definitely on my bucket list.

However, our  children and grandchildren love every minute of summer, especially after school is out.  My daughter, who works in her daughters' school will be happy to have the days off.  Her family will head to Oak Island, N.C. a few times to enjoy visiting relatives there.  The beaches of N.C. are really beautiful along the shoreline.  My other family members will head out on road trips that serve as their vacations. 

Two of my nieces will be driving off to summer jobs and then college in the fall.  I know they are safe drivers. I trust their driving responsibly.  However, I do worry about other drivers that are not so careful.  Adults as well as teens should be extra careful.  The sirens of our rescue workers are constantly going off and it is scary just how often.  It is often many times a day that they must respond to an accident call.  We all had to good through the learning to drive techniques.  My grandson will begin learning and practicing those driving lessons in school next year.  Bless his heart, he cannot wait.

I will love it when my morning glories began to bloom.  For such a tiny living area and yard, we have quite a few rose bushes, shrubs and flowers in and around the trailer that we live in.  It is a wonderful and comfortable time for us here.   Well keep the faith.  Always your friend. Cooky (aka lora :)

April - A Few Thoughts

Cherry Blossom Thyme...Fun with painting spring

colors.  Beautiful flowers and delicious veggies 

are almost here.  A re-birth of life, health and attitudes after a long, cold winter.

The air conditioning is running for short periods 

of time in the afternoons. Allergy season is very

lucrative for stores that sell those products. The air is full of new blossoms and weeds.  Fine greenery everywhere. Bad weather all over the world it seems.  The weather in April is not unlike an impulsive teenager.  One minute the weather is sweet and innocent. The next day it can be the opposite - not unlike a temper tantrum. 

For older, retired folks who are not exactly the picture of health - life can be a struggle in completing every-day tasks large and small.   Money is always a problem. There is never enough.   I see every day couples who are fighting and taking out their frustrations on each other.  Always tension erupts due to lack of funds to support them and buy food.  Where we live and probably in every neighborhood not just poor ones there is always people yelling at each other.  Words can be so abusive.      Our neighbors are always struggling physically and mentally.  Mostly couples and singles fighting to make ends meet.   Keeping a positive attitude when facing adversity is not easy to do.  We older folks just keep on trudging along.  No need complaining.  It does nothing to help pay taxes, put up with  terrible landlords, poor water, expensive utilities, pay our many, many taxes that is levied on everything.  Buying  food for the table with costs getting higher daily.   Taxes are sky high and average folks are hounded by the IRS.  It is a shame that the IRS can do this to poor people and, of course, overlook  big businesses that have lawyers and loop holds.  Medical health costs are outrageous. Two thousand dollars a month for two people is bad enough.  And that is just with two plans.  Adding more plans, such as part B cannot be afforded. There are those few volunteer groups, churches and out-reach programs that might help if you are lucky.  Family members are usually busy with their activities, as well as, taking care of work and children.