As usual, there are many big news stories swirling around, many of which we can scarcely affect and many which do not affect us. So it really becomes the "little things" that determine our daily outlooks, attitudes and actions.

For example, the terrible weather our nation has had this winter.
I don't doubt that much of our human behavior does affect the long range climate, but what truly affected me was the ice storm and three days and nights without power.

Thankful for one gas heater and hot water, I realized anew how dependent I am on all things electrical and how appreciative of power company employees, who worked long hours in freezing weather, to restore our electricity.

And for friends and family members who shared their comforts.

Although my sympathies are certainly with those who suffer from feet of snow (not a couple or three inches) and weeks of danger, discomfort and inconvenience, I admit that I was rejoicing when my faithful yardman was able to clean off my almost-blocked driveway and yards.

And we will all be grateful when someone can get to the dangerously cluttered roadsides -- from the tree debris, not snow.

We will also welcome the other spring blooms that will soon join the yellow jonquils/daffodils that are now sparsely raising our spirits.

Not everyone is troubled by the dozens of abandoned dogs and cats that roam the area, but if you had one "dumped" on your road or that strayed into your back yard, you would wish that more people would have their pets spayed or neutered so that there would be fewer unwanted roamers.

Yes, it is expensive, but I learned (at the last Woman's Club meeting) about "Healthy Paws for a Clause," a 501-c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to help qualified families have their pet "fixed."

Their clinic charges much cheaper fees and can sometimes even help pay for those families, especially with children, who care for their pets but can't afford the normal vet fees.

Virginia Matteson, Pat Anderson and Adrianne Patterson, who are all active volunteers in this work, explained that it is financed mostly through small fundraisers and donations.

You can help, too, by calling Matteson at (706) 531-9922.

It is another example of a small contribution toward a larger problem, but that's the way many problems are solved, or at least diminished.

Volunteers, of course, are the backbone of a good community; you recognize my frequent sermon topic.

I was especially pleased to see that the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce's annual Volunteer Award went to Grace Presbyterian Pastor David Jordan, whom I have admired for his leadership in community outreach.

So if you and I can't do something grand, or develop a plan to solve overwhelming problems, we can become (like the old nursery rhyme -- remember?) "little drops of water, little grains of sand."

You know what they make, don't you?

Helen Taylor's column appears periodically in the Dawson Community News.