Voltage and Irene

Well, it's not really my turn to write the blog entry first this week but my dear sister blogger has been without voltage, without power due to Irene's forceful waltz through our state.  So, I'm writing now in the hopes that by week's end she will be back on line.  I suppose you could say, it's a sort of act of kindness for me to write first.  I will call her in the morning to tell her I was moved to do this and hope it takes some pressure off.  She gets to determine whether this is kindness.

Electricity has been a prominent reality to contemplate since tropical storm Irene's entrance to our region on Sunday.  My power did go out in the morning for a brief while.  My internet, cable and phone services were down until today.  Not a big deal.  I know this because all I have to do is walk out my back door any time or look out my windows at night and I see darkness.  All my neighbors behind me have no power.  It's been three full days now.  That's a big deal.  So, I realized on Sunday I did have a way to express my gratitude for power... a vast gratitude.  I could offer outlets in my garage to my neighbors behind so they could keep their fridge on.  My neighbors were then and continue to be so thankful.  I've told them I feel guilty for having lights on at night.  The least I can do is offer my outlets.  My neighbor came over this a.m. -- a bright, vibrant, sunny morning and said she was just going to plug into my outside outlet to dry her hair.  Indeed, on my patio, in shorts and a t-shirt, she fluffed and primped with the dryer in the sun.  Did she have to take a cold or a hot shower, you wonder?  Well, her engineer hubby figured out how to hook his hot water heater up to my garage as well.  Shower was hot!

Tonight they awaited me as I arrived home.  One of the two of them had his head lamp on.  I asked what they were doing standing in the dark, leaning against the truck in their driveway.  Their answer was, "What else is there to do?"  We all laughed.  They then proceeded to thank me over and over again.  I told them to quit... they've thanked me enough.  I realized if I were in their shoes, I'd be doing the same thing.

We talked some more.  We considered how we, in our society, have gotten to a place of dependence on our water, power, technology, and fossil fuels beyond our understanding.  Is it necessary to hook up a generator to watch television?  How much food do we really need to store in our refrigerators or freezers?  How long do we need to shower?  I know I'm turning serious here.  So let me just voice this, witnessing the impact of Irene's wrath, which was not nearly as bad as it could have been, has lead me to want to share what I have and to continue to try and use less.

May sister blogger Betsy and family get back on the voltage grid soon so that she and her hubby, boys and dogs and cat can have water and power at their fingertips.
In their honor I'll continue to offer as much assistance to my neighbors as I can.  I'll also offer assistance to Betsy in the morning when I call to check in on her status.

Underwear. Ha Ha Ha

“Where is it?  Under there?  Under where?  Underwear!”  This is part of a joke I remember as a kid.  I actually don’t know the whole joke. I just recall you were supposed to somehow trick someone to say the word “underwear” and that was hilarious.  I suspect I was very young at the time….

During this week of U, the word has been stuck in my head. Taking it as a sign, I purchased several packages of underwear to donate to a local woman’s shelter.  Truth in blogging, I haven’t actually delivered them yet.  I was sidetracked from my plan by the hurricane barreling up the east coast today. More specifically I was sidetracked  by the need to spend the day clearing the yard of any furniture and debris to insure Irene has nothing to pick up and toss around as she blows through.  But I will be sure to deliver the goods next week.

I hope everyone is staying safe and dry this weekend.

The Unexpected

Today I engaged in two acts of kindness.  The first just happened in a spontaneous way.  Towards the end of the cool, summer, morning walk I noticed a woman gardening.  As I approached I was compelled to share a fact I think often but have never been able to share with her.  We made eye contact.  I said, "Good morning."  I went on to say, "I just have to tell you that I really really miss your bakery.  Do you miss it?"  You see, this family ran a local bakery in our neighborhood.  Evidently it existed for a long time in what was a neighborhood hardware store.  When I moved into the neighborhood nearly 6 years ago I saw the sign on this residential looking, odd shaped building that simply read "BAKERY".  On Thursdays the smells of cinnamon began to emanate out.  It was a Swedish Bakery known for all its delectables, especially the unique Swedish coffee bread with cardamom.  Oh their seasonal fresh fruit pies were delectable.  And, indeed, their snickerdoodles were the best I've had in a long, long time.  Ummmm ummmm good -- with a glass of cold milk!  When I asked if she missed the bakery she smiled and said, "Yes, sometimes."  They were open from Thursday through Sunday afternoon.  I let her know how much I missed the smells.  I really only went in the bakery a handful of times.  It was best for my health that way.  I loved taking their carefully made desserts to others to acknowledge celebrations, gatherings and the like.

So, the recollections of this friendly spot and the understanding that it is fun to give treats to the unsuspecting that lead to my next act.  I had errands to run prior to reporting to work.  Among them was going to the veterinary office to pick up my dog's and my cat's food.  Food is a universal expression of thanks, appreciation.  It can turn a mood from down to up.  Food can lead to purring utterances of pleasure.  So, while doing a quick grocery run I picked up a gorgeous bunch of strawberries, a package of freshly made chocolate chip cookies, and a bag of gourmet, healthy popcorn.  I felt the quantity was about right for the office personnel, vets and vet techs.  As I requested my animals' bags of food I presented a bag of treats with an upbeat, "For you all!"  Smiles happened.  Mission accomplished before the food was even sampled.

I had a duty to perform today.  I had a mission to complete the blog.  Out of the duty came two unexpected, unplanned acts which leave me feeling good, and I did not even eat any of the healthy or unhealthy treats discussed or given.  I really enjoy this undertaking -- the ABC's of Kindness!  Here's to Ur week!

A Tad about Tipping and More...

For some reason this week's entry has given me more trouble than I would have anticipated.  I mean, when you think of it, the letter "T" is one of the more prominently seen and used letters in the alphabet.  I don't have the statistics on that but, when I play scrabble I have much less challenge figuring out how to use the "T" than say, the "Q"...    Yet, in the kindness blog, for me, "Q" came with enjoyable ease.

Here's where I've landed regarding my week of "T" kindnesses.  I've been mindful of each opportunity I've had to tip.  I've pondered how, when, and why tipping became a part of conducting oneself in the world.  Mind you, I have not researched it (maybe I will now that I'm thinking about it more),  but for this week, I tipped a tad more than I might usually when getting a couple of ice coffees on a couple of mornings (I'm not quite the coffee addict my sister blogger is).  I had the opportunity to tip when getting a small grinder (sub sandwich) at a locally run joint.  I tipped at another restaurant when having brunch with friends at a super cute restaurant which uses all local ingredients.  I tipped at a local bakery after buying a couple loaves of artisan breads for a pot luck.  Tipping is a concrete way of saying "THANKS"... a really important "T" word and one used in my co-blogger's column this week.

The word "thanks" makes me meander to the "More" part of the title of this entry.  I want to reflect on a way in which I witnessed one family give a heartfelt thanks to another family at the very potluck to which I took the bread mentioned above.  This was so much fun to see.  Kids were playing in the yard.  It was dusk.  The adults were lounging on this marvelous, wide porch.  The tikki torches were lit.  Good conversation surrounded us as did the cool air.  At  a certain point in this idyllic, laid back, summer gathering I heard one mom say to another mom, "Here...  this is for you all.  Do you know where it came from?"  The one mom bestowed upon the other mom this perfectly shaped, medium sized, white pumpkin she'd just harvested from the family's vegetable garden.  She explained that this pumpkin grew out of the compost where the white pumpkin (given by the recipient's family) had been tossed after Halloween last Fall.  There was only one white pumpkin which grew in their garden.  And it was so perfectly shaped.  What a special and thoughtful gift to give this lone,unusual, rare and surprise growth of fruit to the family who gave the gift last year.
This leaves me aware that in yet another way-- what goes around comes around -- in good ways!

Thank a Teacher

I was grateful today for the opportunity to thank a teacher. For several reasons. One, because it is the week of T of course. And two, my husband is a teacher and I know first hand how dedicated most teachers are. And lastly, because it seems that presently teachers and the teaching profession are getting unfairly beat up in the media on almost a daily basis.

The opportunity came I was sitting on the beach today, away on vacation with my family. My husband and the boys had gone back to the house leaving me blissfully alone with the waves and my book. While I was there I overheard the woman next to me talking. It was apparent she was a teacher doing some preparations for the the classroom right there in her beach chair. She had several bags bulging with papers and she was busy making stars decorated with her student's pictures for the classroom. As she was cutting and pasting I heard her commenting about the names. “Oh this is an interesting spelling!” And “I've never had a student named Athena before!” It was apparent that she was very much looking forward to the start of the school year.

As I packed up my chair and book and headed back to the house I stopped by to talk with with her. It felt a little awkward at first, but I was motivated and pushed by my commitment to kindness (or at least  by the commitment that I had to write about SOMETHING). I said that I could not help overhearing her conversation and was cheered by her obvious excitement and enthusiasm. I thanked her for being a teacher and then her mother, who was sitting next to her, chimed in that she was a teacher too. We had a nice chat about teachers, teaching, politics and unexpectedly, about my sister-in-law who, as it turned out, the woman's mom knew from years back. While this wasn't totally as out of left field as it may seem since the house we are currently staying in belongs to my sister-in-law, who is graciously allowing us to spend some time here, I was pleasantly surprised that my act of kindness had morphed into a talk about family connections.  It was a fun  to hear about my brother's wife "back in the day" and about her family as well.

As I walked back to the house I was looking forward to the calling my sister-in-law with the news that I had met a long time family friend, and felt contentment that my effort to push past my comfort zone in the name of kindness with rewarded with such a happy unexpected surprise.

Serendipity

I had a plan for S week. I won't say what it was, but it was a bit contrived and sort of like fitting a round peg into a square hole to make it count for an S. But I planned to do it because it was kind, it was S week and darn it I didn't have any other ideas. But yesterday at work my colleague, who is an avid ABC's of Kindness follower—you might even call her groupie--- pointed out to me that I committed an S act for her in this very week.

She came in to the office a bit flustered because she had forgotten her lunch at home. No worries I told her, she could share mine, some salmon and a salad. At first she said no but I insisted, saying that I had plenty to share. She then accepted, and also reminded me that this could count as triple S act, salmon, salad and sharing. How serendipitous.

And here is the truth, please don't tell her but I actually didn't have enough for two people and there wasn't much left for me. But I knew I was going home early so I planned to I grab some more food at home. Maybe if it were M week I would have told her this -M- being for “martyr” but since it wasn't, I kept that information to myself.

Sinking Six and the Smiles on Saturday

In this week's ABC's of Kindness we find ourselves at S!  My how the alphabet is flying by!  So, I was sauntering about the local farmer's market after a swift, mile and a half walk in the increasingly humid summer morning.  Of course, that sweet dog of mine, Mr. Rowdy, was along for the adventure.  In fact, I believe he has significant appreciation for this particular trip as there are more than several dogs taking in the sights and smells of one another at the farmer's market --two black, standard poodles, a 4 month old French Bulldog, a senior greyhound, several, marvelous mutts, big and small, a white, shorter standard poodle, goldens, labs, teeny chiuauas, a squat corgi -- to name some .  We were stopped repeatedly by curious canine observers asking the usual questions, making similar statements: "What kind of dog is he?  My, he's so tall.  Is he a labradoodle?  What's his name?  He doesn't look rowdy.  He's so soft!  He looks like a stuffed animal!"  I enjoyed watching all the smiles of those with whom Rowdy and I spoke/"spoke" and exchanging smiles with those who walked on by.  Smiles on a beautiful, summer day!  Can't beat that.  After I circled the market to survey the offerings, I made my decisions and went back around to make my purchases.  I so appreciate the hard work that goes into bringing all the fresh fruits and vegetables to the market that I told the vendors from whom I purchased to "keep the change."  More smiles and thanks.

As Rowdy and I were heading out of the thick of the action we passed a booth set up by the local animal rescue league.  They had lots of colorful blue gear, shirts, re-usable shopping bags and the like.  They also had a clear donation box.  I had some left over silver and paper in my pocket from the day's farmer's market budget.  As the gentleman sitting behind the table exclaimed his appreciation of my furry friend I stuffed some silver plus six dollars into the box in the hopes that it would help the animal rescue league continue their humane works to help local animals find good homes but first eat well and have a toy or two while awaiting their perfect placement.  After a nice talk with the volunteer about the work the rescue league is doing and about the dog he is planning to adopt soon and with whom he is hoping to do animal assisted therapy type work, Rowdy and I made our way the mile and a half back to our car.  This was more of a stroll as I was carrying veggies and fruits while sipping an ice coffee and savoring the smiles and chats had at the fresh farmer's market visit.   My small acts of kindness seemed to be a bit among probably many kind words and acts from others, concentrated in a singular park in one part of a city on a summer Saturday morning.  It felt special to me in a simple sort of way.

Smiles to all you readers!

Raffi

I've been looking forward to R because I used to love listening to the children's singer song writer Raffi when my boys were little.  They liked him too but not as much as I did.  I still smile when we remember singing  the Joshua Giraffe song while driving in the car with them.  My older son just rolls his eyes when we mention it but the younger one readily admits there is still a place in his heart for Baby Beluga.

So this weeks act of kindness was easy.  I made a CD of children's music for a few of my friends with little one's  younger than mine.  Not all Raffi, but he was more than reasonably represented.  A sign of the changing times however.....Only a few of my friends still listen to CD's in the car.  Most just plug their ipods in.  Alas, good things come to those who are behind the time- a new eclectic, fabulous (if I do say so myself) collection of children's music to rock out to while driving.

Raffi Rocks!

Quidditch and Reading!

While my sister blogger made her contribution regarding Q kindnesses within the week of Q, I am screeching in late with Q but am on top of R!

This week will include donating three Harry Potter books in the name of a good summer read AND to introduce the awesome game of Quidditch to those who've not learned of it.  If I could find a good Quidditch team to join (even in my middle age) I would!  The thrill of flying, grabbing the snitch, dodging the opponent...  Oh, sorry, got lost in that fantasy AGAIN!

In reality I do believe that reading, having the opportunity to escape through imagination, is a super important skill to acquire from a young age.  If the three recipients of the Harry Potter books don't know of this joy of reading, I genuinely hope Quidditch sparks their interest (and yours?) to read more and maybe even invent an exciting game of her/his own!  READ ON!