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Why I support SNAP

SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (aka food stamps), seems to be in some danger these days. This has me highly concerned. I've never needed food stamps, and I'm proud of that. But I have had months where money was really tight, and I was glad my mouth was the only one to feed. I was taught how to manage money well, but I know not everyone has received the blessings that I have had. Also, I want to know the assistance is there should I ever need it.

Over at Permission to Live, Melissa writes nicely about how SNAP benefits have helped her family in a time of job loss and challenges. Receiving SNAP benefits has let her family be fed and have a home while she and her wife looked for work. Melissa had always been a stay-at-home mom, so work at first was part-time and low paid.

I can't find the source right now, but I have read that most families that receive SNAP benefits are on for a short time (either less than one or two years) and typically use that money as a stop-gap to help them through hard times while they get back on their feet. SNAP can be used while people are working to supplement the pay they receive. It is different than a straight welfare check. I found a wonderful info sheet from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities that explains how SNAP works.

I am blessed now to work at a school where my students do not have to suffer hardships. The school provides food as part of boarding, so there's never an excuse for not having eaten. But I had students last year that didn't always get meals. It is a challenge to be successful without food. To put it another way: it is easy to be score a run when you start the game on third base. Much more challenging if you need to start from home.

This past week, we all participated in school-wide community service. We spread out across the town where we live and worked to help others. It was a wonderful day, but I don't think all our students quite "get it." I heard more complaints than I'd like. But, ultimately, I feel the same way about community service as I do about SNAP. There but for the grace of God go I. I will help, with my tax dollars, my donations, and my time. I hope I never need to receive help back, but I'm glad the help is there.

Celebrating Life

I want to share a recent NPR story that left me in tears. It's about Dr. Jim Olson, of Seattle, who works with children with cancer.

The article details his work as a scientist and doctor. He is working on developing "tumor paint," a molecule that can be injected into a patient to make their tumor glow under UV light. The idea is to facilitate tumor removal by doctors and minimize the amount of healthy tissue removed. Fascinating work.

Even better is the rest of the story, which details why Olson does what he does. This is a man with pure motives and a beautiful outlook on life. Heavily influenced by the parents of his patients, Olson relates that he tries to celebrate the life of each patient rather than mourning what each patient will miss when they die. To quote, "a life doesn't have to be 90 years [long] to be beautiful."

Lifehacks

A little weekend fun -- here's a youtube video written by my little bro. Enjoy!

Photo Fun Friday

Just for fun, a few old photos I've taken over the years.

This is the first photograph I ever took with a digital camera. My dad had just bought a Nikon 990, a swivel-style camera that I still miss. I had bought new brooks running shoes, and the juxtaposition was just lovely here.

On the Navajo Nation service learning trip I took in college (January 2002), my friends and I decided to have a little fun with shadows.

One of my favorite ducks -- a bufflehead

And one of my favorite self portraits. Maybe from 2006? I was at my friend Seanie's at-the-time house preparing to help her paint a room for someone who would be moving in. I'm particularly proud of taking such a clear self-portrait on completely manual mode. I miss using my film camera.

And, finally, a sunset in the ever gorgeous Mildford Sound, south island, New Zealand.

Falling

I can't wait for fall to start. It was entirely too hot here this Saturday. Still, we took some time to get out of the house. Matt's parents were in town, so we did some Minneapolis sight-seeing.

For Matt's mom, ikea is always a must see. We stopped there for lunch and fueling the Swedish product addiction. Afterward, we hit up Minnehaha Falls. The name means beautiful water, we think. Despite the heat, we had a lovely walk along a long (1mile?) wooded path and emerged at the falls. One could park closer, but what's the fun in that?

We also visited 612 Brewery in Minneapolis. Their building was the source of the other two pics below. I wasn't a fan of their beer, but Matt was. I prefer wheat beer or very low bitterness, so I don't expect to regularly enjoy most offerings.

We finished the night with a burger and beers at The Republic, which is my fave beer place in the cities. Matt and I split a burger, a flight of beer, and a basket of fries. The burger was a delicious bison patty with Brie and a red wine reduction. Amazing! For beer, I picked a dark horse raspberry wheat ale, we split a saison beer called farm girl from Lift Bride Brewery (close by!), and I left Matt to his hoppy Sweet Child of Vine. The fries are excellent. They come with zippy homemade ketchup and an aioli that reminds me of the Netherlands and the habit of mayo with fries.

My weekend still had plenty of work. I have three classes I'm teaching, and I'm also taking a grad school course this term. But it was good to get off campus and enjoy the outdoors as well.

Classroom

Just sharing a few detail shots from my classroom. Class starts today!

Blue is now the class pet. I also added in a few goldfish that didn't seem to faze Blue one bit.