The State Employee Charitable Campaign www.utmb.edu/secc is off to a great start. If you’ve already supported it, thank you. Writing about gumbo below reminded me about a neat little tradition in my department that we use to celebrate and mark the campaign. We have a red beans and rice feast; someone bakes pies, people bring other things, and as they say in parts of the Pelican State, we “pass a good ol’ time.” The tradition—which is going on six or seven years—is a chance to celebrate each other and our many blessings. I really enjoy it. Let me know if you do anything special in your area to support or mark the SECC. We can post the ideas to the SECC web site.