I’m Dreaming of Red Kettles – What a Wonderful World

I’m tired of Christmas (and it’s not even Christmas yet). I’m tired of the red kettles. I’m not resting at night because even then I’m still out with my kettle.

Saturday night I dreamt that I was playing my guitar at a red kettle just inside the doors of the mall. I was playing what sounded like a Huey Lewis and the News cover version of Joey Ramone’s version of What a Wonderful World…

As people walked past and dropped in their donations, I considered whether or not it would be too cold to have church services on Sunday morning… A real concern in central Iowa winters when the temperatures drop below zero and the roads get icy. Our mostly older congregation has a difficult time with those kind of days. And I don't want them to get sick or hurt.

But my song and my deliberations were interrupted. Suddenly a torrent of some foul, blue-green, antiseptic fluid began gushing from my nose, spraying down my shirt, and all over my guitar.  That's when I woke up.

What a wonderful world…

Shake Your Money Maker

This is, by no means, an official Salvation Army red kettle slogan - but I think it's funny. It's funny, but not as good as a previous one that I shared.

If you would like to contribute to the fundraising efforts of the Salvation Army in Newton / Jasper County, Iowa you can use this convenient link to my on-line kettle.

Bell Yeah!

The other day I shared a Salvation Army Red Kettle "Fighting Hell" poster that some described as "edgy."  I thought it fit very well with the Salvation Army's "Storm the Forts of Darkness" kind of theology and practice.

Since then, someone has shared with me a photo of stickers that were given to donors at Salvation Army red kettles - in the Kansas City area.

If you'd like to contribute to the Salvation Army of Newton / Jasper County, Iowa you can do so with this link (or use the link to find the Salvation Army unit nearest to you.)

Fighting Hell

If you would like to donate to the Salvation Army of Newton / Jasper County, Iowa you can do so via this link. You can also use the link to find and donate to the Salvation Army unit nearest you.

Kettle Helpers

I was out playing my Trombone at one of our Salvation Army Red Kettles yesterday. It was a cold, rainy day, but these two kids didn't care. They joined in by ringing bells and dancing around as I played. Whoo hoo and why not?

You can support the Salvation Army of Newton, Iowa / Jasper County by contributing at any of our kettles at local stores, or by contributing online via this handy-dandy virtual kettle. Your contributions will help us help others in this community all year round.

No One Could Tell the Difference

We may have our Salvation Army Christmas kettles out already – before thanksgiving – and I may take my guitar out to play instead of ringing a bell for hours on end, but I’m not yet ready to start playing Christmas songs.  Not until after Thanksgiving, at least.  One holiday at a time, please...

Until then I am playing Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Pete Seeger, Mumford and Sons, American folk songs, etc...

Tonight, as I stood at the kettle, playing my guitar and singing in the lobby of the Hy-Vee grocery store, a young man approached me and asked if he could sing along.  Being the personable kind of person that I am, I said, “sure” and started the next song.  And he joined in with me.

But golly and gee, this guy had no sense of pitch or rhythm.  It’s okay, though – I guess – because I was playing Bob Dylan songs at the time, and no one could tell the difference.

If you see me, or any of our volunteers ringing a bell (or playing an instrument) at the kettle stand, please consider donating to The Salvation Army.  Or you can make a donation online via this handy-dandy virtual kettle.  This one is set up for The Salvation Army of Newton (Jasper Country), Iowa, but you can use the site to find the Salvation Army unit nearest to you.

Thank you.

How Should the Poor Look?

The Salvation Army, where I work, utilizes a direct mail service for a significant portion of our fundraising. Donations are solicited through the mail in this way to help us meet the needs of many in our county.  I received the following brief note in response to one of our recent mailings:

Dear Jeff,

I am not donating at this time because on Friday morning I saw 10 or 12 people waiting outside your building.  None of them looked like they were going hungry.  I shouldn’t judge people, but I have a hard time donating my hard earned money if the people getting it are “free loaders.” 

This is my response:

August 26, 2014
Dear ________,

I received the note you sent in response to our direct mail request for donations and wanted to take a few moments to address your concerns.

You wrote, “…I saw 10 or 12 people waiting outside your building.  None of them looked like they were going hungry…”

Those 10 or 12 people were there for our ‘bread line.’  We receive bread and produce from a couple of area stores and gardeners to be given to our clients.  This is distributed to them without any qualification or restriction.  If they express a need, they may have it.  This ‘bread line’ is offered in addition to our more substantial food pantry – for which there are certain qualifications and restrictions.

I’m not exactly sure how one can tell by visual inspection whether a person is poor enough to be eligible for our assistance.  How should the poor look?  Should they look like bedraggled homeless people, unshaved and unwashed?  While there are some who fit this stereotypical picture of a “poor person,” the majority of our clients are the working poor.

Most of our clients work – some of them two or three jobs.  The sad fact is that minimum wage jobs do not pay enough to support a family. Some of them are unable to work – either because of illness or injury. Some of them are seniors who live on a very modest income, and use the food we provide to stretch their resources. They are not freeloaders. They are struggling every day. I appreciate that you work hard to earn your money - others, however, work hard and are still barely able to make ends meet. 

If you have some time available, I’d like to invite you to visit our building, so that you can see what we are doing here.  I’d like for you to have the opportunity to speak with our caseworker and to see our food pantry.   If you are interested, please give us a call.


Sincerely,

Buy Art - 25% Off - Support The Salvation Army

Oil and Water - Emerald by Jeff Carter on 500px
If you're one of those who regularly read this blog you might be aware that I dabble with photography - and that I have a number of my better photographs available for sale - either as a digital download or a professional quality print.  You might also know that the money I make in selling these photographs is given to support and continue the work of The Salvation Army in Newton, Iowa.  You get nice art and we're able to continue helping those in need in our county.

But what you probably don't know is that all prints are currently on sale.  All prints ordered between today (February 26, 2014) and Friday - February 28, 2014 - are 25% off.

Rain and Weeds (1) by Jeff Carter on 500px

There are several different options to choose from.  The picture you choose can be printed on canvas, paper, aluminum, acrylic or birchwood.  You can get it in Small, Medium, Large or Extra Large sizes.  And there are several different framing options, as well.

If you know someone who's having a birthday, anniversary, graduation, house warming, whatever event this year, perhaps you'll find a photograph that would be a suitable gift.  Maybe your office or church building has some dreary blank walls that could use some color.  It could be that you'd like to purchase one for yourself.

You can see more of them here.  When you find one you like click the "buy print" button and you'll be guided through the various options.

And in addition to buying great art (I like to think it's great, anyway....) you'll be supporting the great work of The Salvation Army in Newton, Iowa.  So thank you.

At the River's Edge by Jeff Carter on 500px

Lost in the Noise

I’ve been out playing my horn at one of our Red Kettles today.  I usually play at one of our local grocery stores.  They have an entry way that is large enough that I can set up with my Eb Bass (it’s not a French Horn) and not be in the way of people going in and out of the store.  I like playing there because the entry way has a high ceiling and the sound of the horn can really ring in there.  (That it’s heated is also a plus.  The valves of the horn tend to freeze when I play outside during the winter…)

But today it was a little difficult.

I was playing the Coventry Carol – a quiet, melodic meditation on the tragedy that surrounded the birth of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew’s gospel, namely King Herod’s order that “all young children” be slain.  (Matthew says that Herod ordered the deaths of boys 2 years old and younger…).  And at the same time the store’s muzak system was blaring out some Latin jazz version of Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.  And the store employees were bringing the shopping carts back into the store from the corrals in the parking lot. With all the bang and clatter and muzac, the Coventry Carol got lost in the noise.

If I were one of those pastors who are always on the lookout for sermon illustrations, I might find something in that….

If you’d like to contribute to The Salvation Army – specifically The Salvation Army in Newton, Iowa – you can make a donation at this online kettle.  (You can also use the link to find a Salvation Army unit nearer to you, if you like.) Thank you for thinking of the Salvation Army during this, our biggest fundraising season of the year.  The money we raise during this time will allow us to keep the lights on the programs going all through the year.

Helping the Salvation Army (of Newton, Iowa) on Cyber Monday

So it's Cyber Monday - a name given to the Monday after Thanksgiving - a name created by marketing companies to persuade people to spend more money.  I don't care very much for advertisers.  I'm not interested in marketing companies.

But ...

If you're interested in making a donation to the Salvation Army (and specifically to the Salvation Army of Newton, Iowa) you can do it today - on this Cyber Monday - with this online kettle.  There's no annoying bell.  There's no need to stand in the cold wind fishing into your pocket for loose change.  You can do it safely, securely here.

The Salvation Army in Newton, Iowa works year round to meet human needs without discrimination - feeding the hungry, providing assistance for rent, utilities, and prescriptions.  Providing emotional and spiritual care.  And your donation will help us to help others.

This link is set up for donations to The Salvation Army of Newton, Iowa - but you can use the link to find a Salvation Army unit that is closer to you, if you like.


Or - if you'd actually like to purchase something today - something that you could give as a gift to a family member or a friend - might I suggest a beautiful photographic print.  I have several photographs for sale - either as a digital download ($2.99) or as a professional quality 2' X 3' canvas print ($211).  The proceeds of these sales are given to The Salvation Army of Newton, Iowa.


Again. Thank you for thinking of us.

I Don’t Hate Christmas. I Don’t Hate Christmas.

It’s that time of year. Maybe you’ve already seen them – those perennial Salvation Army bell ringers ringing their bells in front of local stores.  As a Salvation Army officer myself, I hate putting my bell ringers out before Thanksgiving (and I refuse to have them out past Christmas Eve).  I hate the holiday creep.  I hate seeing Christmas trees for sale in August.  I hate hearing Christmas carols in October.  One stinking holiday at a time please.

But Thanksgiving comes late this year, and the holiday (read: fundraising) season is quite short this year – causing me to me to go against all of my natural inclinations and to put our kettles out a week before Thanksgiving.  If we’re going to raise the money necessary to continue the work of the Salvation Army in Newton, Iowa (and the rest of Jasper County) we need these extra days.  So our bell ringers will begin ringing tomorrow morning.

I took the kettle stands around to the locations around town that have graciously allowed us to occupy their space again this year. It’s not exactly a glamorous job – it’s just schlepping across town with the heavy metal stands and placing them in front of the stores – but in years past it’s been a job that I’ve shared with my son.  A sort of holiday tradition. He rides along with me; we play the radio loud and make the best of it.

But this year I asked him if he wanted to go out with me to drop off the kettle stands and his reply was “I don’t want to start kettles this early.”  It’s exactly what I was thinking myself, but it broke me.   I hate that I have no warm nostalgia for childhood Christmases.  My officer parents were busy and tired (and cranky. They’re wonderful people, but we all know what this season does to us…) I hate that this job ruins Christmas for me.  And now I hate that it’s ruining Christmas for my son.

He did change his mind, and my daughter (who doesn’t usually come along) volunteered to come too (provided that I buy her a cappuccino…).  So we piled the entire family into the vehicle, loaded the stands into the back and then went out schlepping through the icy rain to drop off the kettle stands for our bell ringers who start ringing tomorrow.

It turned out to be a fine and enjoyable evening.  I don’t…hate…Christmas. Not really. But I do hate what it does to us.

So look for the bell ringers.  They’ll be out until December 24^th (barring Thanksgiving day and Sundays).  Or, if you’d prefer to donate online you can use this virtual kettle.  This one is set up to support the Salvation Army in Newton, Iowa – but you can use the link to find a Salvation Army unit closer to you, if you like.

 
Or, if you’d like to purchase gift for friends or family this year – you could purchase one of the photographs I have for sale. They are available as a professional quality 2’ X 3’ canvas print for $211.  My portion of these sales is given to The Salvation Army of Newton Iowa.


Thanks again for considering the Salvation Army during this busy, frantic, hectic, holiday season. 

Take time to be with your family. 

The Music of Thatjeffcarter Was Here

I like to create. I like to paint and draw and photograph. I like to make music.  But I'm not really very good at self promotion.  So think of this as a reminder, rather than as crass, narcissistic egoism.

Please.

Into the Unknown - These songs began as an experiment, exploring what can be done with the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) that I use.  I created this instrument which I dubbed the "Bird Drone"   It's a $4 download. That's not so much.
Artifacts - These 2 songs fell from space and landed in my little home studio.  I recorded them as I found them.  Name your price for the download (of course that could even be Zero dollars if you want.)

Theories of Imagination - This 24 song album began as a soundtrack for a documentary.  The film has, at least for now, lost its way. But I didn't want to waste the music.  It's $10 to download this one, (but that's like .41 per song...)

Bridge Songs

I am excited to share these Bridge Songs with you; three new songs (each with a particularly clever title, eh?)  If you like these songs (and I hope that you will) you can download them - either the whole EP or the individual songs.



In addition to downloading some great music you'll be supporting two of my favorite causes: 1) The Salvation Army in Fairmont, Minnesota and 2)my brother and sister-in-law who are working as missionaries in Spain.  You can download each of the three songs individually or the entire 3 song EP.  I've got several other songs available through Bandcamp that you might also like to check out.


In Bridge Song #1 I used the sound Northern Dreams 
and in Bridge Song #2 I used the sound Micron Hi Tone 3
both from the Freesound Project

Thatjeffcarter Was Here is Now at Bandcamp

I usually go to bandcamp in the summer, but now I've established a presence at the online Bandcamp.

There you can download (for the measly price One Dollar per song) some of my music.
The proceeds will be split between 1) The Salvation Army in Fairmont, Minnesota and 2)my brother who is a missionary in Spain.

Please, if you've got a moment, and if you like music, and if you like helping other people, take a moment to listen to some of my songs.  Maybe you'll find one you like.

Thanks.

Salvation Army Red Kettle - Did You Know?

If you'd like to donate to the Salvation Army you can use the latest incarnation of that Red Kettle - the red kettle of the digital age.

The Salvation Army of Fairmont, Minnesota needs to raise $23,000 in our red kettles during this season.  Your contribution will help us to reach that goal.

And on a personal level - it will help me out immensely. My friend Brian has challenged me to see which of us can raise the most in our on-line kettles.  The loser will have to participate in a polar bear plunge. Wouldn't you like to help the Salvation Army meet it's Christmas goal? Wouldn't you like to keep me out of the icy waters?  Thanks for thinking of us during this season.

Vintage Salvation Army Adverts with Bill Cosby

Hey Hey Hey.

If you'd like to donate to the Salvation Army right this very moment you can use this online kettle. This link goes to a kettle for the Salvation Army of Fairmont, Minnesota, but you can use it to find the Salvation Army  unit nearest you.  Thanks for your support this season.

Christmas in the Lands of the Fir Tree and Pine

Christmas in the lands of the fir tree and pine,
Christmas in lands of palm and vine,
Christmas where snow peaks stand solemn and white
Christmas where cornfields lie sunny and bright.
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas tonight.
      -Everywhere, Everywhere, Christmas Tonight - Phillip Brooks & Lewis Redner

It hasn't snowed very much this year, at least not here in Fairmont, Minnesota.  So I don't have any snowy pictures to share ... yet. I'm sure we'll get plenty.  So here is a picture I took of my backyard last winter.  I've added a little bit of animation to it to make it new for this year.

The Salvation Army is in the middle of it's annual Christmas Fundraising.  You've probably seen the bell-ringers out at the grocery stores and the mall.  Maybe you've already dropped in some change or a couple of bills.  Perhaps you've already sent in a donation by mail. Or perhaps you've been waiting to give online.  If that's the case, here is your virtual kettle.  This link goes to a kettle for The Salvation Army of  Fairmont, Minnesota but you can use it to locate the Salvation Army unit nearest you.  Thank you for your gifts.

A New Christmas Carol - The Lord of Heaven Come Near

This is one of those holiday things that I remember:  I remember complaining to my dad that I really didn't like many of the Christmas carols that we sang at church.  (I still don't like "Silent Night" or "Away in the Manger.")  My dad suggested that if I didn't like the ones we sang, I should write a new one.

I've finally done that. I've written a new Christmas carol.

The Lord of Heaven Come Near by thatjeffcarter was here

The Lord of Heaven Come Near

Angels announced the Savior’s birth
to shepherds in the field,
“This day you’ll find in David’s town
the Lord of Heaven come near.”

Lord of Heaven, Emmanuel,
Lord of Heaven, come.
Angels announced the Savior’s birth
to shepherds in the field.

 Magi came from the east to find
the one the star announced
bringing gifts and worshipping
the Lord of Heaven come near.

Lord of Heaven, Emmanuel,
Lord of Heaven, come.
Magi came from the east to find
the one star announced.

Glory to God in highest heaven
and peace to men on earth.
Praise God who sent his son to be
the Lord of Heaven come near.
Lord of Heaven, Emmanuel,
Lord of Heaven, come.
Glory to God in highest heaven
and peace to men on earth.

Praise God the Father and the Son
and Holy Spirit too,
the grave is closed and heaven’s free
the Lord of heaven came near.
Lord of Heaven, Emmanuel,
Lord of Heaven, come.

Praise God the Father, and the Son
and Holy Spirit too.

The arrangement I've posted has one verse as a introduction, the four verses for singing, and then a final instrumental verse.  I'll post the sheet music for it tomorrow.  Feel free to download it and to use it for yourself or your church. 

And, please remember the Salvation Army during this time.  This is our biggest fundraising event. You can give at the kettles or with a check in the mail or by using this virtual kettle.  Thank you very much.

A Rooster With No Connection To Christmas

I know.  Roosters don't have very much to do with Thanksgiving, Advent, or Christmas. And the color scheme for this painting would have been more appropriate for a September or an October post.  But here it is anyway. A rooster with no connection to Christmas.

This painting is really a mix of things.  To build the texture I used crumpled newspaper, glossy magazines, dried leaves and paper-towels.

I used acrylic and spray paints

This rooster may have no connection to Christmas but, nevertheless, it is that time of the year.  And with Christmas comes The Salvation Army's red kettle fundraising.  You've seen them out there, the bell ringers in front of the grocery stores and shopping malls.  You've seen the red buckets.

Or maybe you haven't. But that's okay because, lucky you, you can donate to The Salvation Army of Fairmont, Minnesota (or to the Salvation Army unit near you) via this handy-dandy-online-kettle.  The money you donate will help us to meet the needs of the poorest in our community all through next year. Thank you.

Snowfall

We've had our first snowfall here in Fairmont, Minnesota.  It came Saturday morning with all the wind and furry of a cold Minnesota winter.  My son and I watched the snow fall as we stood outside the Hy-Vee grocery story with our horns, playing Christmas carols at one of the Salvation Army's red kettles.

Most of this frist snow has already melted away but it was as nice as it was fleeting.

Here's a bit of music to celebrate the first snowfall.



If you like it, it is free for you to download and to share with others.

It was made with a couple of sounds from the Freesound Project:

Game Music Cell 

Old Cello Pizzicato 

If you would like to make a donation to support the work of The Salvation Army in Fairmont, Minnesota (or the Salvation Army unit in your area) you can do that via this handy-dandy-online-kettle.
Thank you very much.