Wednesday, June 18, 2008

ABC Wednesday -- V

You can learn more about
ABC Wednesday and learn who
else has participated in V by visiting
Mrs. Nesbitt.


V is for Sitka Valerian which grows in the meadows.



V is for Vanilla Leaf which grows in the forest.
(Note--not the spice, but the leaf has a faint vanilla-like scent.)

And most of all, V is for VOLUNTEERS, who make many organizations more successful than they otherwise might be.
~
Volunteers learning about volcanoes at training last summer.



Volunteers working to clear a fallen tree from the trail. We needed a larger saw.



Volunteer shoveling steps in a snow bank to make the trail safer for early season hikers.



My husband and I are members of the Volunteers in the Parks at Mt. Rainier National Park. Our volunteer program at Mt. Rainier expanded tremendously last summer due to the response to needs generated by the floods the previous November, and received a national award for outstanding volunteer program. National Park Volunteers help with trail and campground maintenance, visitor services, and many other tasks that free up Rangers for vital duties.



Many organizations can use the help of volunteers to improve services. You can volunteer with church, library, senior center, youth organizations, hospice, schools...the list is endless. Volunteering can be a hugely rewarding experience. Volunteer in your community today!

33 comments:

Leslie: said...

Volunteering - such an honourable sacrifice of time and energy. Kudos to you! :D

Dragonstar said...

I agree - Volunteering is fun! Never thought of Valerian - DOH!

Jane Hards Photography said...

I used to be a volunteer nature warden in the UK, so I apllud this use of V. Also like dragonstars v today, i have learn another new plant name. Well done.

Mary said...

Congratulations to your volunteers! Mt. Rainier is a wonderful place and all who visit are thankful for your work. I have a sister and daughter both in Seattle, so we have visited several times. Volunteering can be fun as well as useful. I enjoy volunteering at church and libraries. Great post for V.

Outhouse Capital of Canada said...

Looks like a great service you perform for the parks, you could use a chain saw, methinks.
I volunteer by driving cancer patients for radiation treatment at Kelowna Hospital.

Daryl said...

Volunteering is a most worthwhile V!

:-Daryl

Paulie said...

Good one! I have been a volunteer all my life at something or another but especially in my church, Girl Scouts and schools and libraries. Thinking about volunteering for Friends of the Carpenter here now.

Reader Wil said...

You have a good choice of V's!

Liz Hinds said...

the world would be a worse place without volunteers.

I saw the Mt Rainier volcano on somamreone else's blog and felt sure you'd have it too!

Rune Eide said...

I'll volunteer a positive comment on you post.

mrsnesbitt said...

Wow katney, we are very proud of you!

Reader Wil said...

Thanks for visiting.! You asked if the green buildings were houses and you are right: they are houses made of turf in areas where there was no timber like Iceland and Greenland. I suppose there were no windows, only a door.

Mental P Mama said...

Wonderful V post! Volunteering reminder is great!

Suburbia said...

Lovely Valerian, I love wild flowers!

Linda said...

Great choice for V. Something we all should do more of.

Petunia said...

Nice post and choice for the v POST:)
Petunia's ABC

Nydia said...

Every time I visit your blog I get astonished with how active and full of energy you are... and I get tired! LOL Just kidding... It's fantastic to keep this child's eye to what the world offer. Shame n me I'm not a volunteer... but it can be corrected in due time. Thank you for your lovely words on my little vampire! :)
Kisses from Nydia.

Unknown said...

As always nice shots and informative post. Great V post.

Tash said...

That's a true Capital V - Volunteering. I was just up your way on a quick business trip & got some beautiful photos of Mt. Raineer, Seattle, and more from the airplane. We also had wonderful weather for the 2 days we spent there.

RaleighKat said...

Cut "V's" Thanks for visiting my Vizsla. She is a wonderful dog, and I am privileged to call her mine.

Neva said...

I am a big believer in volunteering...it is such a benefit to so many organizations....and having had to deal with volunteers...there is nothing better to me than people that do what they say they will and follow through.....truly...the best.A great post and congratulations to you and your volunteers!

Suzi-k said...

I also find volunteering hugely satisfying, although most of my causes are less atractive or physically demanding than yours. At the moment my 2 main hobby horses are helping at an art gallery, and setting up a community anti crime forum.

ArneA said...

Without Volunteers the world would stop.
Great choice

Cath said...

That is a great V post Katney. Sorry I'm late to check in. I love how no matter what the letter is, you can find it in the fields and meadows or the birds or the trees...

And your tribute to volunteers everywhere is excellent. The world would be a much poorer place without them.

Mrs Mac said...

Ahhh! I have some valerian in my back garden, but it is a pinky red.

It grows like a weed round here, lots of houses have it in their gardens on this estate! LOL! I bet all the plants are related to each other.

Mine was growing out of the cement in the driveway. My other half plucked it out and was about to throw it away when I got it off him, "I'll have that!" I said, and planted it in the back. Et voila! It's 2 years later and it has spread 4ft high and 4ft wide and is in full bloom.

I love free flowers! LOL!

Thanks for visiting my blog.

:^)

Maria Verivaki said...

so many v words - either i'm less observant or i have little imagination!

Anonymous said...

How did I miss you on Wednesday ? I would have sworn I could have visited - my apologies.
As I have said elsewhere - I have found 'V' to be remarkably Variable with great Variety... your choice is also. A window on your world.

Marvin said...

A great series of Vs. I especially like the water droplets on the leaves.

kRiZcPEc said...

great message indeed, happy weekend!

Anonymous said...

Fine post! My son was a volunteer in church for two years ago.

Miss_Yves said...

Very, very good choices !
Vanilla pod is delicious with hot molk !

Alan said...

Volunteer is an excellent choice. So many things that wouldn't happen if not for volunteers.

kml said...

Would love to have some of the vanilla leaves in my garden!