Happy birthday! I’m at the Bread and Water diet part of your book now.
That’s what I get out of my wife when she’s stressed. 5 words. I’m thinking about it in a different light, but I still feel distressed about how it goes. Cause I’m a talker, she clams up and snaps at me if I press, and then everyone is less happy.
First, happy birthday Julia! It's probably not the one you thought you'd have but still 😁
Interestingly, your winter storm story reminded me of a summer storm from my teenage years. We had SO much rain that everything flooded. Even the roof on our local Woolco store collapsed (remember Woolco? 😄) It was an unexpected flash flood situation where people had to abandon their cars floating down the street. My mom and I ended up taking in a stranded couple for a night. We had no power but I'll be damned if we didn't have shelter and board games by candlelight! The couple were SO grateful that we simply opened our doors to them, fed and housed them, and let them sleep for a night, and just did the neighborly thing.
You are so right. We need each other and we should be doing so much more of this!
the world is changing fast, and we need to change with it. And that means that learning to be neighborly is going to take on a new meaning, methinks. Thanks for the good wishes.
This experience reminds me of the ice storm of 1998 in Montreal. We were without power for 5 days. Luckily, we had a fireplace and a generator that we shared with other family. Pain in the butt moving it twice a day though but at least the pipes did not freeze.
Since we had heat, many of our neighbours came to our house.
FYI, I'll bet there will be a population uptick in 9 months. I have an ice storm baby as a result of the storm in '98.
When Hurricane Harvey hit the Houston area in August 2017, a huge number of men with boats showed up to help all those many people who were stranded in their homes. This "Navy" was instrumental in helping residents get out, get back in and receive needed supplies both during and after the storm. We had wonderful support from local, state and national organizations but the impromptu navy was a godsend. I was so proud of us!
I don't own a boat and wouldn't know how to navigate all the treacherous hazards if I did. At that point I lived way out west of Houston, about 75 miles west of downtown. But I could help in other ways. We donated to many organizations that we could see were helping out. We are fortunate to be able to do that. No, I couldn't pick any bedraggled folks off their porches but I could donate money to those who were feeding those same bedraggled folks. And we offered up our empty bedrooms for those in need of a solid roof over their head.
I think I have mentioned that I can pretty much carry on a conversation with a brick wall. At least that's what my family and friends say. Talking to people is easy for me - in line at the grocery store, at the coffee shop, in the elevator, pretty much anywhere I go. And I tip and tip well. I also want the waitress to smile when I walk in the door. I want people to know that I will pay the appropriate rental on that table at Starbucks. We actually closed on our new house at a Starbucks. Not only did we get coffee when we got there, and when we left but with a nice enough tip that they won't be rolling their eyes when we show up again and grab a table.
And none of these various interactions have anything to do with political or religious beliefs or any other thing that may divide us. Just people talking to people, people helping people.
So true Penny. When it all comes down to it, does it matter what color of skin or what religion someone is when a rescuer shows up? To some, maybe, but the way I see it, help is help. No better way to learn to have faith in one another.
It works both ways. I certainly don't care what the driver of the tow truck looks or sounds like when they are coming to rescue me off the side of the road. And I don't care what the person who is being fed from money I donated looks or sounds like as long as they are getting the warm food and safe place they need. I'm surprised that some people think it only works in one direction.
TRUE!!! And thank you. Not the kind of celebration I had expected but damn, Penny, there is a lot of good going on, lots of doors opening up and I am beside myself. Now if I can just get my ass home safely.....
Happy birthday! I’m at the Bread and Water diet part of your book now.
That’s what I get out of my wife when she’s stressed. 5 words. I’m thinking about it in a different light, but I still feel distressed about how it goes. Cause I’m a talker, she clams up and snaps at me if I press, and then everyone is less happy.
I’ll have to reread that bit
I can't wait to hear what you think. Nothing comes easily, but you might find some useful ideas.
First, happy birthday Julia! It's probably not the one you thought you'd have but still 😁
Interestingly, your winter storm story reminded me of a summer storm from my teenage years. We had SO much rain that everything flooded. Even the roof on our local Woolco store collapsed (remember Woolco? 😄) It was an unexpected flash flood situation where people had to abandon their cars floating down the street. My mom and I ended up taking in a stranded couple for a night. We had no power but I'll be damned if we didn't have shelter and board games by candlelight! The couple were SO grateful that we simply opened our doors to them, fed and housed them, and let them sleep for a night, and just did the neighborly thing.
You are so right. We need each other and we should be doing so much more of this!
the world is changing fast, and we need to change with it. And that means that learning to be neighborly is going to take on a new meaning, methinks. Thanks for the good wishes.
This experience reminds me of the ice storm of 1998 in Montreal. We were without power for 5 days. Luckily, we had a fireplace and a generator that we shared with other family. Pain in the butt moving it twice a day though but at least the pipes did not freeze.
Since we had heat, many of our neighbours came to our house.
FYI, I'll bet there will be a population uptick in 9 months. I have an ice storm baby as a result of the storm in '98.
Thanks for the laugh. I'll bet you're right, too. Great- climate change means MORE babies....who knew, right?
When Hurricane Harvey hit the Houston area in August 2017, a huge number of men with boats showed up to help all those many people who were stranded in their homes. This "Navy" was instrumental in helping residents get out, get back in and receive needed supplies both during and after the storm. We had wonderful support from local, state and national organizations but the impromptu navy was a godsend. I was so proud of us!
I don't own a boat and wouldn't know how to navigate all the treacherous hazards if I did. At that point I lived way out west of Houston, about 75 miles west of downtown. But I could help in other ways. We donated to many organizations that we could see were helping out. We are fortunate to be able to do that. No, I couldn't pick any bedraggled folks off their porches but I could donate money to those who were feeding those same bedraggled folks. And we offered up our empty bedrooms for those in need of a solid roof over their head.
I think I have mentioned that I can pretty much carry on a conversation with a brick wall. At least that's what my family and friends say. Talking to people is easy for me - in line at the grocery store, at the coffee shop, in the elevator, pretty much anywhere I go. And I tip and tip well. I also want the waitress to smile when I walk in the door. I want people to know that I will pay the appropriate rental on that table at Starbucks. We actually closed on our new house at a Starbucks. Not only did we get coffee when we got there, and when we left but with a nice enough tip that they won't be rolling their eyes when we show up again and grab a table.
And none of these various interactions have anything to do with political or religious beliefs or any other thing that may divide us. Just people talking to people, people helping people.
So true Penny. When it all comes down to it, does it matter what color of skin or what religion someone is when a rescuer shows up? To some, maybe, but the way I see it, help is help. No better way to learn to have faith in one another.
It works both ways. I certainly don't care what the driver of the tow truck looks or sounds like when they are coming to rescue me off the side of the road. And I don't care what the person who is being fed from money I donated looks or sounds like as long as they are getting the warm food and safe place they need. I'm surprised that some people think it only works in one direction.
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
TRUE!!! And thank you. Not the kind of celebration I had expected but damn, Penny, there is a lot of good going on, lots of doors opening up and I am beside myself. Now if I can just get my ass home safely.....