We believe St. Joseph is the statue in our backyard; he has a lot of mojo, and I often meditate with him. Sue Silverstein, who rarely asks for anything, sent me this note today asking for help, and I went outside to ask St. Joseph to pray for it. He’s a big deal.
This is an unusual step for a non-believer, but he is supposed to be among the most generous and influential saints. Perhaps he can help. He lives here on the farm, and I clean him yearly and meditate with him often.
When Sue or the other people we help need something, I always mention it to St. Joseph. So far, so good. Even non-believers can believe.
Sue’s message: “If anyone has an old calculator T85, or people use them for math and never use them again. We could use them here at Bishop Gibbons. The economy is so bad for many of these children. Kids are having trouble getting new ones, and the used calculators are just awesome. Your help will be so appreciated.”
If you can find and spare one, please send it to Sue Silverstein, Bishop Gibbons High School, 2600 Albany Street, Schenectady, N.Y., 12304. Sue is not asking for new ones; they cost around $100, but I will say if anyone wants to donate some, the school needs between 10 and 15.
One junior girl told her teacher that it would take her mother several months of work to buy one. She was in tears. I would love for us to help that girl and her classmates.
Sue, who never asks people to buy anything new, says it’s a rough time for many of the school’s students.
Here is what is said to be the most powerful prayer to our backyard saint: “O Saint Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, so that having experienced here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers.”
I asked him to help get these kids their used T85 calculators. I get the feeling in my bones that he heard me.
Note: I found one used calculator on Amazon and bought it; I saw others online on eBay and elsewhere for what seem to be good prices. If we send more than 15, I assure you all of them will be distributed and used.
Sue says, “You are the finest Jewish Catholic I know :)...” I blushed. Coming from her, that is quite an honor.
Sue added this message Friday morning: TI-84 plus CE . The Math teacher says this will work as well! If you have a used one that you bought for a math class, we’d love to take it off your hands! We are so blessed by all the support we have received from all of you!
Dusk at Bedlam farm, the donkeys are still.
The Tin Man has found a new home.
I met some flowers on the way.
Please help Sue and her students get their T85 used (or new) calculators if you can. You can send your old or used ones to Sue Silverstein, Bishop Gibbons High School, Schenectady, N.Y. 12304
So does the headline clearly say T 85 those are the used ones versus the new says Sue. but people can find the calculator using either one Ti-85 or TI -85 as the teachers request. Sue’ hope is that people will send the Meir old and used ones without having to pay for them or buy them. We may need to do both. We’ll see and thanks. She is certain lots of people have them hanging around.
No, T85 are not the “used ones.” There are NO T85 calculators in existence—you made a typo. Your are looking for new or used T-85 calculators, made by Texas Instruments (hence the TI). I have two. I will send them.
Rhoda, I’m not really interested in slugging this out with you and this is not a typo.I passed along what the teachers and Sue said they want and need and what they say is used and new. I know nothing about calculators of any age or style, if you have an issue with the terminology, feel free to contact Sue – [email protected] and thanks so much for sending these two calculators to her, she will put them to good use. I have no doubt you are correct, but I only ask for what they ask me to get. If she requests me to change it, I’ll be happy too. I’ve had five different people tell me five different things about what the calculators are called.Let’s not confuse people. In the poast Sue asked for what she called used T 85 calculators, and that’s what the post called. I found one right away so did many other people.
P.S. Sue added this message this morning:
“TI-84 plus CE . The Math teacher says this will work as well! If you have a used one that you bought for a math class we’d love to take it off your hands! We are so blessed by all the support we have received from all of you!”
John – I was able to find one on eBay it should be there by the 20th.
Thank you for providing the info.
Thank you, Katherine
I have a very old TI-30 (circa 1979) calculator that still works. I remember using it in my college math class. It isn’t as fancy as the newer TI- 85, but I believe it has many of the same functions. It has been sitting in the back of my first husband’s old desk for the past 30+ years. I’m still living in our first house with my 2nd husband. Like you I found love later in life and it’s fantastic.
At any rate, here’s the Wiki page about the calculator: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TI-30 Please let me know if it will be of value to Sue and her students. I put a new 9V battery in it and it works fine.
It’s not what they use or asked for Holly, I thank you for thinking of it.
So far, the response has been solid people found their own calculators or bought some used ones at a good price. I’ll know in a few days, but I suspect Sue will get what she needs..thanks..
Holly, sue’s e-mail is [email protected] she can answer your question, and thanks..
Jon,
Thank you for responding and for giving me Sue’s email. I’ll contact her and ask if she can use the old scientific calculator.
Just mailed a TI-84+CE to arrive on Monday. This retired math teacher no longer needs it! :}
Bless you a ton, Milks
I would like to help. Do you mean TI-85? I can’t find anything about T85. Can you post a link?
Madeline, I’m not sure why you are havig trouble. People are finding these graphic calculators under the name Texas Instrument T 85 ir TI-86, the used ones range much lower, the new wons are around $90 To $100 Sue hopes people will send uses ones hanging around the horuse rather than spending money…this is how they are listed on amazon..I gather a lot of people have found some online
“t-85 graphing calculator”
The top picture is one of the most beautiful you’ve ever posted – the woods, the sky with clouds, and especially your gorgeous flowers behind the statue. What a delight! Thank you for sharing it with us. Sorry I don’t have a calculator to send, but couldn’t resist commenting on the wonderful top picture.c
Thanks Bruce
Two enroute from Amazon. Texas Instruments TI-85 Graphing Calculator.
When I was in high school, calculators hadn’t been invented; instead, we learned to use slide rules and graph paper!!!!!