P.S. Another friend, this one not Irish, turned me onto something last week that, this week, Christmas week, I’d like to pass along to you. It’s a group called Heifer International (http://www.heifer.org/). As my friend explained, "They combat hunger by providing animals for needy familiar around the world. Animals from which a family can earn a living–chickens (which produce nutritious eggs…that can be sold), goats (that produce nutritious milk that can be sold), etc. Part of the deal is that each recipient family must give away at least one of the offspring from their animal to another needy family in their own community. It’s self-sustaining…and it’s commerce-driven. You pick the animal you want to give…which makes it a really accessible idea for kids."

Jack is debating between a flock of ducks and a goat. When he’s made up his mind, we’ll arrange for the gift in his name.

Please enjoy this special week.