An Amazing Story of Charity (and it involves Mormons!!)

'Tis the season.

'Tis the season to shop, buy, decorate, feast and enjoy company with friends and family.

...but for those that have less, 'tis the season for colder weather, scarce food, and hard living.

Christmas always leaves me feeling a little hollow, because it feels like it's all about presents and shopping and gorging and excess.  I feel for the needy this time of year, because I have so much.  And the point of this holiday season is to buy more and get more.  'Tis the season, for me, to help others in need.  To help pick up those who have been knocked down, and to make the season more meaningful.

When I saw this story pop up on my newsfeed, a tear came to my eye:

When a Mormon Bishop dresses up like a homeless man and panhandles in front of his ward, it's an eye-opening experience for all.  It's very easy to ignore people in need.  When they find out they shunned someone THEY KNEW, everything changed...

This lesson, and the reaction from the churchgoers, is a much-needed one.  I'm not saying to give everything you have for the needy, or you're a horrible person unless you donate your time at a local soup kitchen, but think about what you have.

If you can, give.  Not to the Salvation Army and those annoying bell-ringers, but to your local community.  Give to your local food bank.  The animal shelter.  Head Start programs.

Something local, something small.  A place that will make a difference.  I prefer donating food and money to my local food bank.  It stays within the community, they have small overhead costs (unlike the salvation army, where a HUGE CHUNK of your donation goes to administrative costs and salaries) and it makes a noticeable difference to those in need.

As much as I rail on the Mormon church, this was a well-taught lesson, and one we all need to reflect on.

'Tis the season.  Do what you can.

Idaho Falls is America's 2nd-Best Small City? #JudgeForYourself

I run a Facebook page for this blog, and it's a barrel of laughs.  It's more active than this blog, and it's more general silliness than strictly-Idaho.  And I have a lot of fun, dedicated fans.

One of my regulars shared a HuffPost link with me, showing the top 10 'Small Cities' in America.

Idaho Falls was #2.

I. Am. NOT. Joking.

Maybe the #2 city, if you like religious oddballs, or don't mind the entire city SHUTTING DOWN on Sunday.

But, then again, numbers 1, 3, and 6 are in Texas.  Substitute Baptists for Mormons and it's all the same thing.

Now, I'm not saying Idaho Falls is all bad.

We are a stone's-throw from the Tetons and Yellowstone National Park.
There are a few gems in Idaho Falls, and they all conveniently fit on one compact blog page.

And we are ruled by a ruthless megalomaniacal mormon bastard have a waterfall.  A VERY NICE WATERFALL.

Idaho has merits.  Otherwise I wouldn't have anything to blog about.  But I have been in Idaho Falls for over 3 years now, and I don't think this is my #2 place I have lived.

...otherwise I wouldn't own this shirt.

I love this shirt...

So HuffPost readers, who are looking to move to a small quaint city, come visit IF before you choose to move here.  Cost of living IS low, and it is definitely a slower-paced way of living, which isn't bad.

But..... and here's the bombshell, for long-time blog followers....

I'll be moving to Portland soon.  And I can't wait.

BOOM.