Random Acts of Kindness or Frugal Charity

First of all I have to say that I know that this post is going to make me sound ungrateful.  I get that, but my feelings are so strong on this subject I have to get them out or my head will explode.

Yesterday when I stopped at McDonalds to grab my family's weekly treat, the lady in the car in front of me had paid for my meal.  Apparently she wanted to do a random act of kindness and that was very nice of her.  My feelings about it were unexpected; I felt as though she had wasted her money.

I was by myself (no carful of kids), in a fairly new car that I paid for with cash (because I live frugally), and buying dinner for my daughter that attends a private school (also paid for with cash because my mother left a nice sum of money in her will for my daughter).  Frankly, I am blessed, lucky and I know it.

So, thank you nice lady, but there are people that really need your generosity.  I would rather see you save your extra money and donate it to a women's shelter, or a food bank or any charity with low administrative costs.

This post is about using your money wisely.  Doing the research and donating your money wisely.  Making sure that your money donation is used to help people, not to pay for a CEO's salary.  Helping people that truly need our generosity.

Here are some simple random acts of kindness that don't involve money:

Once again, thank you sweet lady for your generosity.  I really do appreciate your kindness.

God bless,
Pam

Good Reads: Double Mint

Double Mint by Gretchen Archer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Double Mint is the fourth book in the Davis Way Crime Caper series. It is a well written, professionally edited and hilariously funny mystery/comedy novel.

Davis and her new husband now both work for and live at the Bellissimo Casino. Davis' instincts are screaming to her that something is seriously wrong with the Bankers convention they are hosting. But her ideas are so far fetched that no one believes her. Davis, being Davis, decides to investigate anyways and chaos ensues.

This was one of the rare books that had me laughing and snorting (with dignity, of course) out loud. It is just incredibly witty and funny.

I highly recommend this novel, but read the series in order to understand the story's nuances.

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Scents and Sensibility

Scents and Sensibility by Spencer Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Scents and Sensibility is the eighth book in the Chet and Bernie mystery series. It is a very well written and professionally edited full length novel.

Chet and Bernie are concerned about their elderly next door neighbors and set out to find the couples' son. A son that has just spent fifteen years in jail for kidnapping. What seems like a straight forward case soon turns into a murder and police corruption investigation.

I love Chet's, the dog, narration of the plot with his free form way of thinking. Bernie is struggling in this story and I deeply identified with his need to help the weak and helpless people in this world.

Scents and Sensibility is a fun and poignant read. I highly recommend this entire series.

Good Reads: Beyond A Doubt

Beyond A Doubt by Nancy Cole Silverman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beyond A Doubt is the second book in the Carol Childs mystery series. It is a very well written and professionally edited, full length novel.

Carol, while working as a radio station's investigative reporter, is sent to cover the murder of a young woman. She soon finds herself delving into the world of missing women, sexual slavery and organ harvesting. The perpetrator of these crimes is a powerful man, entrenched in local government and charity circles. It is up to Carol to prove his guilt to law enforcement and to the public.

I fully enjoyed the fast paced plot and detailed investigation in BAD. And thank goodness (and the author) for an intelligent heroine and her equally intelligent female friend. Add that Carol is middle aged, a parent, with a normal body type and I was in Happy Reading Land.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.