December 12th and 13th - The need for Charity

Hello my dears.  Please forgive the lack of update yesterday.  I'm afraid that after the exit polls results came in I gave in to despair, decided there was no point to anything, and went to bed. If you're not from the UK, and wonder what I'm talking about, this country has just elected an extreme right-wing government with a significant enough majority that nobody can stop them doing whatever they want.  This same party has been in partial control for most of the last decade, and during that time they have decimated social and community services across the country, leading to the situation where record numbers of people are homeless, or living in poverty, and where even working families find themselves reliant on foodbanks to feed their children.

Today I'm not much better, and have spent a large amount of the day in tears, but I have at least decided that if I'm going to be a statistic, it won't be one that can be brushed off as "many contributing factors cause depression and suicide."  I want my statistic to be a slap in the face for the government that kills me, so when I die because I can no longer afford the medication that keeps me alive they cannot say that they were not to blame.  It's not much, but it's a reason to stay alive right now.

I have seen a lot of despair today.  I am not the worst off of those affected by the last decade, and I won't be the first to die due to the effects of the next 5.  All I can do now is try to do the best I can for those worse off than me. In a world that is fair, charity is not necessary, but in the absence of a fair system of wealth distribution, charity is all we have.  So please, be charitable.  Look out for those less fortunate than you, for the poor, the persecuted, and the vulnerable.  Show people that you care about their troubles, that you want to help, that you have empathy and compassion.  

This winter is set to be a very bad one for many, many people.  If you're reading this, you're in the privileged position of having access to technology, and leisure to read for entertainment.  You may not have much, but anything you have to spare could save a life.  I'm not only talking about money here, but time, and energy.  If you can, please donate to your local homeless shelter, or foodbank, if you don't have spare money, but you do have spare time and energy, then volunteer instead.

Here are some organisations that are helping the people worst affected by Austerity:

Shelter - help homeless people put a roof over their heads.

Crisis - give homeless people a place to go when they have nowhere else.

Trussel Trust - provide food parcels to people who can't afford to feed themselves or their family.

The Hygiene Bank - provide personal hygiene items such as soap, toothbrushes, and sanitary pads to people unable to afford to buy their own.

Disability Rights - help disabled people fight against the constant discrimination they face.

Mind - help people with mental health issues at all stages of their illness.

Advent

I'm not going to apologise for starting this post entirely off topic.  Empathy and compassion are desperately needed in these times we live in, and since these qualities are entirely lacking in our leaders, we must work so much harder to show them ourselves.

However, this is a blog about knitting, penguins, and for this month, advent, so that important message shared, here's what you came here for:

December 12th

Yesterday, my Advent of Change donation helped:

Wood Green, who take in unwanted pets, and provide them with all necessary care until they can arrange for them to be adopted into a new forever home.

Behind the doors, and inside the packets of self-indulgence yesterday, I found:

Lindt - mini Lindor truffle

Hotel Chocolat - tiny chocolate slab with Santa Claus on it

Charms - Christmas tree stitch marker

Yankee Candles - After Sledding scented candle

Imperial Candles - white soy wax melt, which I still haven't identified the fragrance of.

Cath Kidston - Gardeners Club Body Lotion

Bird and Blend - Blue Raspberry fruit infusion, which changes colour if you lower the pH.  The most sensible way to do this would be to add a few drops of lemon juice.

Made by Penguins - the bottom mini-skein, in the colourway "Orange", and a teeny, tiny penguin stitch marker.

Vicki Brown - the top mini-skein, in the colourway "Sunset Party".

Gamer Crafting - the middle sparkly mini-skein, in a lovely green and blue colourway.

Finn being a very good boy, and my floor looking increasingly in need of a vacuum cleaner :(

December 13th

Today, my Advent of Change donation has helped:

South Warwickshire Welfare Trust.  I'm afraid I can't tell you a lot about this charity, or what they do, as my anti-virus software won't let me view their page. As a registered charity, I think it's unlikely that there is anything malicious on their website, unless it's been hacked, but do be aware that it is a possibility if you follow this link.

Behind the doors, and inside the packets of self-indulgence I have found:

Lindt - mini Lindor truffle

Hotel Chocolat - tiny chocolate slab with a penguin on it

Charms - stitch marker with a smooth, bi-convex disc with the word "Peace" on both sides

Yankee Candles - Pomegranate Fizz scented candle

Imperial Candles - lilac coloured soy wax melt, I'm not sure of the fragrance.

Cath Kidston - Plant Pots Hand Cream.  Finally, more hand cream!  I'm washing my hands so much just now that I think I've used nearly half of this tube already.

Bird and Blend - Bonfire Toffee flavoured tea

Made by Penguins - the bottom mini-skein, in the colourway "Love Birds", plus a seed pearl stitch marker, and this excellent button badge.

Vicki Brown - the top mini-skein, in the colourway "Coco", and a relaxing herbal infusion.

Gamer Crafting - the middle sparkly mini-skein, in this gorgeous pink and blue colourway.

Our adorable boy, who has given us so much comfort today, and gives me a better reason for living than waiting to die in a manner that embarrasses the UK government.

Merry Slothmas!  Today's offering from Stephen's 12 days of Sockmas calendar.

The Regulars

FO's

3 more baubles made from my Made by Penguins advent calendar yarn, all hung on our Christmas tree.

WIP's

A tiny bit more progress on my Mitred Squares Blanket (1 more square to be precise)

Stash Acquisition

My December Knitcrate Sock crate arrived this morning.  Guess what?  I forgot to change my preferred theme from "Energise me!" to "Chill Out".  At least this is a reddish orange!  I've submitted my request to change theme for next time today!

Penguins!

So, a miserable woman with a penguin obsession walks into a supermarket to do a Christmas foodbank shop, and spots a shelf full of Christmas decorations that have been reduced to clear.  One of those decorations is this guy.  Of course he was going to come home with me!

Right, that's it.  It's late, I'm desperately tired, and I have to be up early to make Stephen swear by putting stinging drops in his eye, and walk Finn.

Night Night my dears, stay strong, and don't give up hope.