This post started out with a parent being proud of her child for wanting to help by emptying her piggy bank. I would be proud too. Maybe we should all see the world from the eyes of a child and feel and do what our hearts tell us. Living here in South Florida and having two hurricanes going directly over head (not even close to the devistation from the Tsunami)I can't imagine what they are going through. Four months later you can't drive down the road without seeing blue tarps on the roofs of houses (we can't buy shingles), many road signs still are not up, buildings destroyed, insurance companies aren't helping, People trying to put theirs lives back together. Many senior citizens can't afford the repair costs. January 3rd, the elementry school down the road just opened back up. It's a very slow process. Most frustrating of all,,,is the greed of some people. In Miami-Dade County FEMA paid out $21.5 million dollars for hurricane relief, MIAMI WAS NOT EFFECTED BY THE HURRICANES. They had nothing more then a thunderstorm, yet people lined up and claimed all kinds of things and it was paid out. That sickens me. (ELECTION YEAR). Miami-Dare actually got more money then the counties that were hit by the storms. Also, after the storm we had thousands of guys here working, coming from many states and alot from Canada to restore electric, phones, water. I think we all need to take a step back and look at the situation for what it is. For many of the victims of the flood life will never be the same. They need help, no matter where it comes from, your personal piggybank or the reserves of many nations. The United States is a powerful and wealthy country, it is a political enity, and will step up to the bat and face obligations. I don't believe they will be writing out checks to people in other countries the way they did in Miami. Charity begins at home. Propaganda is used to gain power for cause. For the most part people around the world understand earthquakes. Don't let it scare you. Those that believe the United States is to blame, are living in parts of the world where free thought, education and technology is not available to them, maybe they should be next on our global list to help. In the course of world history the United States is a very young country, one that in many ways is like a spoiled teenager. I have been very fortunate in my life, thanks to an education and the oppritunity to do and be whatever you want in this country. It was not given to me. I'm in my 40's, retired, don't plan on going back to work ever, and in that 1% tax bracket that is a sore spot for many americans. I do NOT believe we are over taxed and I strongly belive if you owe the tax,pay it. (They will get you if you don't...LOL)We travel quite a bit and make it a point to do something positive wherever we go. As Strudel said until you spend time living and working in Third world countries you can't grasp the struggles that these people face in their daily lives. Many of those people depend on agriculture to live, I would think on this forum that alone should say something. Peg

Find your taxable income without the deduction in the table in the 1040 booklet. Then find the tax amount in the chart that's $300.00 less and the income amount will be next to that. For example, say your taxable income (before the deduction) is $45,200.00. The tax on that amount (for a single person) is $7,730.00. Your want to reduce your tax by $300.00 to $7,430.00. You'd have to reduce your taxable income by at least $1,150.00, to $44,050.00. Here is a link that might be useful: 2007 Tax Table

Seniors/nursing homes are always grateful for used items such as wheelchairs, toilet aids for getting up and the like. The ones that are funding by the government especially appreciate these items as the individuals often could benefit. My great aunt passed away, we donated her very expensive wheel chair - it had a special gel cushion and other perks to it. Her clothing that was new we donated and the winter coat/boots (new and not worn) are another item greatly appreciated. So if you have medical equipment that you can clean/sanitize don't be shy to call a few care facilities. I shop at Value Village - now we are being advised to be careful of bedbugs when purchasing. The charity shops and newspapers have been listing information on keeping purchased items in bags until you can wash them properly or freeze some items. (I would not stick such items in my freezer....eeewwwwwwwwhhhhh.) One of these stores actually had old 18 wheeler trailer cabs full of stuff parked in their lots, sorted - furniture, clothing. Yes some stuff should be chucked completely. They are good at dating their items and moving them out of the store. Some charities donate items to other charities that recycle the materials into usable products. I dunno. I watched the movie "Wall-e" again. Really disgusts me too the amount of waste. So I do my best for my footprint.

Sherry, I'm in zone 5 too but in Canada. When I looked at your gold hosta, to me it looked like my Midas Touch. I also have August Moon and Zounds. I took pictures of those 3 hostas for you but noticed that Rosedale Golden Goose also looked similar and was the only one of the four sporting a scape. Being in the US you should have flowering before me. Hope the pictures help. Midas Touch Midas Touch leaf Rosedale Golden Goose RGG leaf Zounds Zound leaf August Moon August Moon leaf Don't know why the pictures are so small but you can single click on them to enlarge.