Random Acts of "Kindness"

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THE CHRISTMAS TREE

I wrote this last year at Christmas Time, before the BLOG. I thought I would share it with you this year.

Every year, it seems that the decorations for Christmas arrive in the stores earlier. It used to be that we celebrated Thanksgiving before the stores decorated for Christmas. Then Christmas decorations vied with Halloween costumes for space in the store. This year, the battle began before the children went back to school.

I’m old fashioned. I will admit it! I don’t put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving although I will admit that I might begin making presents earlier.

One of my favorite decorations is our Christmas tree. When we moved into our house, our son was barely crawling and my husband did not want him eating pine needles so we bought an artificial tree for $25. Year after year we put the tree up, decorated it with ornaments, tinsel and garlands. The tree appeared real as the branches sagged and spaces opened up. Our son referred to it as the Charley Brown tree.

The year finally came when instead of putting it in the basement, it joined other trees in the alley and we purchased a new tree. I thought we would buy a smaller tree since our children were married. I wondered where we would put all the ornaments that I had accumulated over the years. I didn’t need to worry. Our new tree was taller and fuller. There would be room for ALL of our ornaments.

This year as I decorated the tree I remembered the year my father, aunt and uncle helped my husband and I make ornaments from sequins. The sequins have lost their shine but the ornaments are precious since my father, aunt and uncle are no longer with us. Since they aren’t breakable, they take their spot on the lower branches of the tree. Of course the six small angels are the first to take their place on the high branches. (I wrote the story of the battle of the angels in JOURNEY WITH ME, titled WINGS. I had always credited my father with the extra “help” that I was receiving. forgetting that my mother and brother preceded him by many years. LESSON LEARNED)

I usually have the job of adding the ornaments. My husband puts on the lights and the angel sitting on the top. The large silver ornaments go around the tree trunk to help reflect the light. They were a present from a woman long ago. Then I add all the small older ornaments that rest over the summer, wrapped in tissue paper in their own box. Some of them are very old and heavy.

I won’t bore you with a description of all the ornaments. The angels increased again this year. I had to get a chocolate lab angel for Mabel to accompany our other four footed angels. More of our friends moved to the other side. Sue gave me an angel bell to remember the angels that got their wings. Besides the angels from my story of WINGS, I have Irish, and Hawaiian angels — crystal, copper and plastic. I was delighted with all the angels that I found.

Many of the ornaments remind me of trips we have taken – South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Hawaii to name a few. Others remind me of milestones in our life. When Rusty, our Irish Setter joined the family; I decorated the tree with red apples, Silver EGGs, and clear bells made from wine tasting cups. The breakable ornaments took the year off.  I haven’t put the red apples on the tree but I haven’t tossed them out yet either. The eggs and the bells always find a spot.

Our son made an ornament when he was in Kindergarten from a gold tube. It is always is in view. A stable scene dates from girlscouts. I received an ornament when I was a milk mother; I don’t remember how many years ago that was.  One year, Terri, our daughter in Florida asked if we got the two penguin ornaments that her kids had made. Nope, didn’t see them. The next year I used the same box to send our presents to Florida, and I found two penguins.

Gifts from friends have a place on the tree. When TO PAP, WITH LOVE was published, a friend gave me a rising star. Speaking of TO PAP, I found two bears with the date 2002, celebrating the year that book was published. They are not the only bears hiding in the branches. I also found a couple of ornaments celebrating JOURNEY, from 2007. I realized another five years have passed.

My Aunt Connie knew how much I enjoyed the ornaments on our tree. She gave me a box of her ornaments the year before she died. Clowns, M& M’s and other storybook characters joined the group.

Of course, there has to be Santa – opening the refrigerator, sitting in a chair, riding a train, fishing, etc. There are also a lot of horses. Isa, our youngest granddaughter was very happy when she saw them – they were right in her line of vision. Imagine that. Daniel, our younger grandson, didn’t notice the super heroes; he is into Transformers now.

The tree is too crowded now for some of our older ornaments. The popcorn cranberry garlands stay in the box with the apples.  But there is still room for MORE!

New note: Walking to the post office, I remembered that we had another dog angel, so I ordered Tidbits angel ornament. Weeks went by. On Sunday, 12/2/12  I continued to trim the tree, adding our dog and cat angel’s. The doorbell rang, Tidbit’s angel arrived to join the others.

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INTERESTING QUESTION

My husband and I stopped at a favorite restaurant for breakfast. It was Friday morning, we usually stopped on Saturday. We didn’t sit in our favorite spot, nor did we have our favorite waitress. In fact, the woman who served us was extremely busy with a party and we had extra time to enjoy our morning coffee.

A heavy-set gentleman, wearing dark glasses, walking with a cane, eased into the booth across from us. As my coffee cup emptied and we still hadn’t placed our order, I became a little impatient. I have been gifted with a loud voice that carries. Even when I try to speak softly, my voice still carries. One comment led to another, soon the gentleman across from us joined in the conversation. I think his name was Bob. He had taken disability pay a few years ago which enabled him to take care of his aging parents. His father had cancer and his mother had Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. I knew why we had met.

His father hadn’t lingered, passing away soon after being diagnosed with  cancer, his mother passed away in September, on the same day, four years later. His mother had been a handful and he missed her.

When I mentioned that my dad had Alzheimer’s, he asked me if I missed him. How did I handle the day-to-day when my life had been so involved in my father’s care? It was a question that made me pause. Dad has been gone over seventeen years, but he is still very active in my life. He let me know within three days that he was just fine on the other side. Although I didn’t see him or hear his voice, I was very aware that he was often present. It helped with my grieving.  In fact, because of Alzheimer’s declining stages, he was more present than when he was alive. It also helped that our youngest daughter suggested I write our story of living with my father as his health declined. My first book, To Pap, With Love, gradually was born, with the help of “my friends.”

Bob, who was a veteran from Vietnam told me that it helped him to share his experiences with others, and to hear their stories in return.  Confirmed — another reason for me to not only write but to share my life with others.

I don’t know why I have been gifted by help from the other side. Do I have a special job to do? When that thought crosses my mind, I could panic. But I believe that God is in charge. I have always gone to the president of the company when I was working. So I let the day-to-day in His hands and try not to worry about tomorrow.

We all have people and pets on the other side. If you are not aware of their presence, there can be many reasons why they are not active in your life. Or maybe they are and like my mother who was involved in mine undiscovered for more than 45 years, they might be so good at what they are doing, that you don’t notice. Maybe you are doing exactly what you need to and their direction isn’t needed.

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IT’S ALL THE GARDEN’S FAULT!

I wondered what changes occurred in the Garden after the temperature tumbled from 70 to 30 with rain. Monday, sunshine and warmth was promised but clouds and 30’s came instead — then 20’s and snow. Just a dusting but still snow. When I was at the Garden on a windy Sunday, I was greeted by four tall bright yellow trees, crafted from mums.

Roses were abundant. Weeping willow trees, brilliant in bright yellow, danced in the wind. Masses of flowers in many different colors were in bloom everywhere. Couples, families with children and older folk walked the paths.

Four days later, the yellow trees of mums were gone, replaced by evergreen trees, lit with tiny lights. The Garden prepared for winter. Evergreen garlands, strung with lights were everywhere. A huge tree, decorated with frosty icicles and cardinals held center stage in the Cafe. Unlike Sunday, many tables were available.

As I crossed the bridge, I was greeted by a robin. I noticed the tall fountain had stopped. The weeping willow trees were still golden, more copper, not as bright. Canadian Geese were everywhere. Most of the flowers didn’t survive the cold. Rose buds looked like they would still bloom, if the weather was warm enough.

If the plants were in a protected place, some of the flowers survived. Pansies, mums and Sweet William to name a few. I even found a bush of white roses still in bloom.

I walked down the crab apple path near the lake and was surprised to hear running water. Walking around the bend, the water fall was still cascading down the slope. Sunday, I stopped to listen on a sunlit bench. Thursday, I did the same — not as noisy, not as warm but this time I could hear the water tumble. I had dressed for the temperatures but I forgot my gloves.

Crossing the bridge onto the island, I saw a mass of crystal white Sweet Alyssum on the hill. I’m sure it was there on Sunday, but I was distracted by the hawk. A landscaper told me the flowers were all gone. So were the people. I heard the wind whisper, the bird’s song. A favorite pit stop of mine was closed for the season.

On Sunday I took over 200 pictures, Thursday I took 65.

You might ask “Why the title? What was the Garden’s fault?”

Let me explain. Last Christmas, I decided to get new garlands for the stairs. Even though I have searched, I have not seen anything that I wanted to spend our money on. When I arrived at the Garden, the doors were outlined with garlands of evergreens, decorated with red berries and lights.

I decided to stop at a craft store and purchase plain garlands, red berries and white roses. Hopefully I will like the results.

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WINTER STARTS TONIGHT

The temperature has been up and down, mostly in the 40’s, with a cloud cover that has hid the sun. Finally temperatures in the 60’s with sun was promised. Except, Sunday, in time for the Bears night time football game, rain, dropping temperatures and possibly SNOW was forecast.

Our youngest grandchildren were in town for the weekend. We planned to visit Brookfield Zoo — we had the car packed for the short trip, then our oldest daughter phoned. She lives about 25 miles West of Chicago. She thought we should know that a thunderstorm was over her house. Just as quickly, plans changed. We visited the playlot at McDonald’s instead. We stayed dry, the kids had fun.

Sunday, a high wind advisory  from 10:00 AM till 8:00 PM was forecast. Our youngest daughter and kids left early in the morning to beat the weather. I have wanted to go to Botanical Gardens for a few weeks — today was the day. Some sun, warmer temperatures, lots of clouds and even more wind — not a bad day.

I was surprised by many things. First the colors. Autumn colors were everywhere. Weeping willow trees danced, golden in the wind. Grasses in gold, orange and rust added their own color. Many, many varieties of roses were abundant. Mums and asters — autumn flowers were everywhere. I even saw a couple of gladioli and some pansies. I was very surprised– the waterfall was still running. I spent some time, sitting on a bench, enjoying the sun shine and cascading water. When I asked a female Mallard duck if she was all alone, she turned and swam under the bridge and reappeared with the male.

Families with young children were everywhere. A young girl sat on a bench, an array of colored pencils in her lap, and worked on a drawing. Her mother mentioned that her daughter’s first grade class came to the garden to draw a couple of years ago. That is when her interest in drawing began.

I watched a young Chinese maiden, dressed in yoga attire, pose for pictures at the waterfall and on the bridge to the Japanese Garden. I learned she writes articles for a magazine on the Chinese Internet.

Walking down a path, I noticed a couple of people taking pictures of a tree. Looking up, I spotted the object of their interest — a brown tailed hawk watching from its high perch.

I almost finished walking the garden, when my camera refused to take any more pictures.

Leaving the garden, I passed a short, heavy-set, white-haired, older woman pushing a walker, the basket overflowing with stuff. I couldn’t see if it was a coat, a sweater, or a blanket, or all of the above. No one was walking with her.

Questions rose like bubbles in my mind. Was she alone? How did she get to the garden? Did she drive?

She reminded me of my maternal grandmother whose birthday is this week. My grandmother didn’t drive, but she didn’t stay home either. In a safer world, living in rural Wisconsin, she hitch hiked.

It was a normal weekend —  but then, wandering with Spirit usually is.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Our youngest daughter offered us the opportunity to use her  time share points at the Wisconsin Dells — 10 nights but in three different rooms or locations. Sounded great to us. Trip planned.

When we arrive at our destination, I always search for the Catholic church and a supper market, which can be a Wal-Mart.  Arriving in town, I learned the location of the church before we even checked into our first room. Since I knew we were changing rooms, I only brought frozen chili for one night.

For the cook of the family, a vacation is an opportunity to eat out. I have cooked daily for more years than I want to count. In case you are new to my writing, I am sodium restricted. We stopped at an Arby’s on the way to the Dell’s and I quickly learned that it would be better for not only my health but our pocket book if I cooked. The sandwich that I ate, was so salty my leg swelled.

The only trouble with changing rooms and locations is that we had to check out at 10:00AM and not check in until 4:00. I was concerned that fresh food would spoil even if it was in a cooler. Thankfully, the time share worked with us.

I discovered a lovely grocery town in the Dells that had meat that WAS NOT sodium enhanced for flavor. The prices were reasonable. The meat was excellent. We learned the location of the Wal-Mart.

The major attractions in the Dells closed two weeks before. Neither my husband nor I were interested in the water parks or theme parks. He is from Maryland, a country boy at heart, stuck in the city, We investigated the State Parks in the area. We bought a year pass for the parks, even though it was late September, and got our money’s worth. The colors were beautiful.

On my birthday, the weather service warned of a cold front moving in, preceded by rain. The rain was supposed to arrive in early afternoon. We got up and out, early that day to beat the weather. In late morning, we were on a trail in Rocky Arbor State Park. It was closest to the Dells. We thought the trail was the most beautiful of the ones that we had walked. Dark clouds passed over about 11:00 but then the sun came out. The temperature remained in the 60’s until night fall. Happy Birthday to me.

At Devil’s State Park, I asked a group of hikers about the trails. Although many heads of hair were grey, they wore hiking boots. They mentioned they had been on the trails for 4 hours. When they saw the shoes I was wearing, they suggested I walk the paved trail by the lake. I listened.

We planned to go out for dinner for my birthday. Two places that we thought of were closed. The day before my birthday, we stopped at a family restaurant for lunch, which had a buffet. The waitress could only suggest the salad bar. I was HUNGRY, but everything I tasted was too salty! We wandered the strip asking questions that evening. At the House Of Embers, I asked a young man working outside if the fish was battered, which would mean high in sodium. He couldn’t answer my question but he fetched the owner. I have to admit, I was impressed. I learned that meals were cooked to order, fish NOT BREADED. I ordered wall eye, it was delicious. Our waitress recognized us when we arrived. Someone told her we were coming.

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THANKS

 
Recently I wrote how I think it is important to thank God, the Supreme being under whatever name you address Him or Her for the many blessings of life and help given. I also thank “my friends in high places” on a very regular basis.  This time I would like to thank you, the people who read my thought rambles. Some have written to let me know they were helpful and for this I am extremely grateful. Each and every day has its own challenges, I’m glad that I am NEVER ALONE. Many times I’m not aware that I’m not wandering solo. Then there is the rest of the time.

I would answer each comment personally except for two challenges. The first is that I haven’t figured out how to do it. The second, probably should be the first. This is the first time I have been on line since some time in September. I know that we are retired, supposedly we have a lot of free time. The reality of the situation is that we are not home that often and I HAVE NOT updated our cell phones, computers or other electrical means to be able to keep in constant connection. PLUS — I have “help” from my “friends in high places.” Recently, our youngest daughter gifted us with a vacation in the Wisconsin Dells. We left on a Wednesday. Thursday, I noticed I didn’t have my cell phone. Although my husband called the number repeatedly, we didn’t find it. I  couldn’t recall using the phone at all on Wednesday. I finally assumed I had left it at our Camper. Thankfully this proved to be correct. I found it right were I had left it before leaving for the trip. I guess it wasn’t supposed to go.

I will do a thought ramble on our fall vacation. Hopefully before we take off again which will be this week.

Just one thought before I close and cook supper.  Before we left for our trip, I was at Save a Lot, a grocery store in the town near our camper. I watched in amazement as a man chose a ham, and a chicken and a number of pizza’s and added it to his overflowing cart. At the check out line he graciously allowed me to go ahead of him. By now, you are probably aware of the fact that I talk to whoever is around.

I mentioned that he was probably buying food for a month to the person behind me. WRONG! It was one weeks supply. I have no idea the total of his bill. One comment led to another. I learned that he was feeding four children and two adults. Then I learned that two children were not his and often spent the night. He didn’t know what they would eat or if they would eat at all if he didn’t feed them. I had to acknowledge that he was a positive influence in theses children’s lives.  Because of his care, they had safe shelter and might make it through childhood.  RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME!. I think so. Everyone needs a pat on the back

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SURPRISE

We had planned to go out to the country. Do you want to make God laugh? Tell Him/Her your plans! My husband was dizzy on Friday, I thought he might have been dehydrated but wasn’t sure. Needless to say, our plans changed. Since we were in town, I decided to send a card to our grandson who is facing his own challenges.

As I walked down our alley to mail the card, I saw a three story, plastic dollhouse that was in excellent condition. Just slightly dirty. I carried it into the back yard and called my husband. I asked him to use the water hose to a good advantage.

Words do not describe the happiness that find has brought me. Doors open, some furniture is built in. Hopefully our three year old granddaughter will enjoy it also. I know she doesn’t have one. I also know we could not have bought one and Christmas is coming.

Of course, what is a dollhouse without furniture?  I have purchased two rooms of furniture at Wal-Mart and will try to restrain myself from adding to the collection.

Just a little help from my friends. Right place, right time to get a marvelous present for our granddaughter. “Our friends” must have thought so too.

Thank You!

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RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME

The premise of my writing is to show that we have “friends in high places” that are involved in our life. Therefore, for the most part I don’t write about the joys, problems or challenges in my life unless they seem to be interacting with the other side. Often, my life is ordinary. Then there is the rest of it.

My father enjoyed helping other people. My mother might have shared the same feeling. Since she passed over when I was four, I really can’t speak from experience. I have been told that I’m like her in many ways.
Over the past few years I’ve realized that she is often with me, for which I’m extremely grateful.

So, okay, where is this going? Do I have a point? Yes, I really do. When I enrolled in a Creative Writing class, our teacher mentioned that once we became aware of synchronicities, they would occur more often. Depending on my actions during the day, it might be a quiet day or more interesting.

Recently it was a shopping day. One of my favorite stores is Costco. I feel I receive good value for my money and I enjoy interacting with many of the employees. Costco DOES NOT provide bags for your purchases but they will place them into boxes for easier handling. Sometimes those boxes can be extremely heavy. The weight of the box and the deepness of the shopping cart can make it difficult to get the loaded box out of the cart.  Walking through the parking lot, I passed a woman who had such a problem and was able to extend an extra hand.

That same day, at another store, I noticed a gentleman that seemed to be searching for something with a degree of anxiety. When I asked if he was looking for the bathroom, I was able to direct him to the proper place.

Friday, I took our last pug, Lexie , out for a bathroom break. I call her our energizer pug and someday I will write a thought ramble about her. For now let me say that she is 14 years plus, half blind and with hearing loss. Since she walks with a fishtail gate, and stops to rest often, she wanders without a leash. Friday, I took her out in front of the house for her bathroom break. We live on a busy street. A car pulled over to the side, they lowered the window and a woman asked for directions. She was trying to get to the South side of Chicago and the directions she received from her hotel had her confused. I had to take a break to retrieve a wandering dog,  but luckily I was able to help her.

We have lived in our neighborhood for many years and I still don’t know the streets. But when I was young and took the bus, I learned the major streets on the North side.  Right Place, Right Time! Always makes my day!

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OOPS

Just because I have friends in high places and am aware of it, doesn’t mean that life is easy, without problems.

Yesterday, I went down into the basement to get something from our upright freezer. I saw liquid on the floor by the freezer. IT IS NEVER A GOOD THING WHEN YOU SEE LIQUID ON THE FLOOR BY THE FREEZER.

My worst fears were confirmed when I realized the door was not properly closed. I had no one to blame but myself. The freezer is so full that I am the only one that braves the interior, so therefore, I didn’t make sure the door was closed.  It was all my fault.

Looking at the contents, I knew that many things needed to be tossed. Most of the individual servings on the freezer door had defrosted as well as things on some of the shelves. I salvaged what I could and changed my mind about supper. Changed my mind about Sunday’s supper as well and tossed everything that was defrosted. Four bags full.

As I cleared the shelves, I noticed ice crystals every where. It gave me hope that it was my stupidity, not a malfunction of the freezer. I wanted to try a tray of ice cubes to see if they would freeze. Making a space for the tray to lay flat was its own challenge. I really didn’t want to leave more hot air in then was already there.

Thankfully, one hour later, ice crystals had formed on the top of the ice cube tray. The freezer was working. I have to admit, that most of the food that was defrosted probably was no longer part of my diet.

Today was a day to cook, and refreeze the salvaged food.

Yesterday, I was looking for a card for my grandson who is away at college and having a rough time. Many cards, but nothing fit. A card with birds caught my eye as I walked down an aisle. Closer inspection revealed that it was just what I was looking for –the message — continue to try, having faith in God. THANKS! I knew someone was helping. I also knew I needed it.

I wish I could say that the trials of August have ended. Sometimes I jump into something with both feet instead of taking my time. I’m not sure what I did, maybe it was a combination of trying new things and the 90 plus temperatures. Whatever the cause, I’m still dealing with the after effects.

Hoping to solve the problem, I’ve stopped my supplements, and given up caffeinated beverages. One of my daughter’s suggested drinking 64 oz of water a day. I’m hoping to flush out my system. I don’t know when my hot flashes and night sweats ended. I’m not excited that they are back. I wonder if it has to do with the aligning of all the planets. Magnetic energy. December is how many months away?

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Is Someone Trying To Tell Me Something

I will admit that I’m stubborn. I have had an open wound on my left leg since March and have not gone to the doctor. I knew it was coming. I watched a small black dot slowly rise to the surface and when it became an open wound, I wasn’t surprised. I tried to keep it small, eat healthy, etc. but it continued to grow. Stress and other things of normal life prevented me from going to the doctor until it became so large I was embarrassed.

Each time I determined that if it hadn’t started healing by such and such a date, I was going to the doctor. Something else always happened to delay the making of an appointment.

Then it began to heal, and I was very thankful. But I had not learned the lesson yet, whatever the lesson is. I think it has to do with making sure that I have myself on the list, taking care of my needs as well as the needs of others. Often I’m at the store, buying food my family needs and forget that I have to have different items since I’m sodium restricted. When I’m back at home, and ready to cook dinner, I discover most of the stuff that I can eat is still in the store.

Now it is August. My left leg rebelled or decided to self destruct. On the fifth, I hit my leg with the vacuum cleaner. On the 9th, a porch folding chair fell on my left toes. On the 15th, I banged my left foot on our dog’s gate.  Which brings me to the 19th, a can of luncheon meat, fell off the shelf, onto my left foot. Not done yet, in the store,, a box of mushrooms, fell onto my left shin.

I was getting the message. Leg WAS NOT happy.

I wear compression socks because of poor circulation. My left leg was itching, so I scratched it with abandon, over the stockings. I was very surprised to see a blister on my leg, followed in two days by another one. The stocking acted as a scouring pad and scoured my leg.

I cover the open sores on my leg with gauze pads, held in place by paper tape. I was not happy as the area covered by this protection grew in size. So far, I haven’t found shin guards.

A friend told me about a treatment with castor oil and a heating pad which has done her leg some good. By now, I was desperate enough to try it. As I write, five days into the treatment, the blisters seem to be healing. The scratches up and down the leg are either healing or gone. Hopefully soon the larger sore will begin to heal again.

I’M KEEPING MYSELF ON THE LIST. Right now, anyway.

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