They had either gone off to Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, or Sandpoint in search of Christmas sales… or they were staying home to throw another log on the fire.

I voted for the latter… going out only as long as necessary to bring in more wood and feed the horse. He thought everyone else had probably chosen that plan too, since the roads were both slick and bumpy with leftover ice chunks.

5 above during the night and a warm up to almost 11 degrees this afternoon. I’m giving thanks for my new wood stove – especially since the furnace seems to be out of order.

So, a little work for a client, a little brainstorming about how to generate funds for the Battered Mother’s Resource Fund, and a little shopping on line made for a good day at home.

And thinking of the Battered Mothers Fund… If you have a list you’re mailing to, or even a group of friends in your address book, I’d appreciate you helping spread the word about it, because it is in dire need.  The director of this non-profit has been paying most  the bills out of his own pocket, because most people just aren’t interested in helping battered women and children find a safe haven.

That was fine while he was working – but a heart attack and open heart surgery put a stop to that, and now the national hotline is in dire danger of being shut off.

Over the past 2 years, his group of volunteers has helped over 6,000 women across the U.S. find safe shelter where they could take their children with them. They maintain a nationwide database so it doesn’t matter if you call from Priest River or Miami – they’ll help find a safe house and help you get there.

Ten women in the U.S. lose their lives each day to domestic abuse. That makes me think the hotline is pretty important.

To learn more or to make a donation, please visit www.batteredmothers.com. Every single dollar is important to preserve this valuable resource.