Dear Ann, Another so-called Black Friday rears its unpleasant head. Don’t get me wrong, I like shopping–if US capitalism goes under, it won’t be because I didn’t do my part. But I don’t intend to drag myself to a mall on a day I could spend knitting in my pajamas and asking passing loved ones to get me another cup of coffee.  Capitalism can just keep its shirt on and wait for my kids to go back to school. Have you...

  Dear Ann, Lots of knitters are concerned about the disaster and suffering in the Philippines.  Here are some ways to help. The best way, of course, is to contribute cash to reliable organizations that are in a position to be of immediate help.  Our friends at Mercy Corps have people on the ground, working with local organizations as they always do, and there are many other great organizations. But there are also people we already...