CHRISTMAS POETICS

2008 is the second year for Meritage Press' "Tiny Books" series, a fundraiser for Heifer International. I'm pleased to report that, through sales of Tiny Books, we raised enough money this year to finance two goats plus some left-over for other items like chicks, water buffaloes, et al for helping to alleviate poverty. Here's the thing about goats:

Goats can thrive in extreme climates and on poor, dry land by eating grass and leaves. The gift of a dairy goat can supply a family with up to several quarts of nutritious milk a day - a ton of milk a year. Extra milk can be sold or used to make cheese, butter or yogurt. Families learn to use goat manure to fertilize gardens.

And because goats often have two or three kids a year, Heifer partners can lift themselves out of poverty by starting small dairies that earn money for food, health care and education.

Well isn't that spe-e-cial? But of course it is!

These Tiny Books are gems. And a special THANKS to the one person who has bought them all! That be the special Sheila Murphy. UPDATE: A second peep to have all Tiny Books: the also-special John Bloomberg-Rissman!

Christmas: it's about giving, not gifts.