Search Results for 'popular' (3617 matches)

A Tale of a Hero and His Nine Little Ducklings

Something really amazing happened in downtown Spokane, Washington this week, so  I decided to share the joy with you.    My good friend Betty has a brother named, Joel, who is a loan officer at Sterling Bank in Washington state. He works downtown in a second story office building, overlooking the busy street known as Riverside Avenue. Several weeks ago, he watched a mother duck choose the cement awning outside his window as the uncanny place to build a nest above the sidewalk.    The mallard laid nine eggs in a nest in the corner of the planter that is perched over 10 feet in the air. She dutifully kept the eggs warm for weeks and on a sunny Mondary afternoon all of her nine ducklings hatched.     Joel worried all night as to how the momma duck was going to get those nine babies safely off their perch in a busy, downtown, urban environment so they ... Read Full Story >>

Peace Pole ...

Just wanted to give you an update on our Peace Pole Planting. The village school has accepted the pole and has got the Council to agree that it can be planted on a grassy area directly across from the school in a very prominent place which is passed by all who enter and leave the village (think of all those Peace Prayer wishes going out!).
They have invited uor MP, MSP and lots of dignitaries as well as local newspapers. The children are going to be writing about what Peace means to them and having a Peace Pole Party to celebrate –with Peace Cakes! How amazing is that! It won’t be for a couple of weeks yet, mid-may, but I’ll keep you all informed.
 

What I Am Grateful For

I learned to count my blessings a long the time ago. I believe that if any one stops for a minute he/she will find something to be grateful for.   I am grateful for a great number of things but I am especially grateful for NOW, for this moment in time.   I am grateful for the lovely town where I live.  In this town the number of charity shops almost equals the number of “normal” shops.  There are charities for almost everything you can imagine. Even the primary schools are charity orientated, with the Parents and Teachers Association taking responsibility for raising money through parties, discos, fairs and other events in order to be able to buy things like interactive white boards or sports gear for the school football team.  I think my town is very kind and it is very easy to live here.  People smile at you a lot, ... Read Full Story >>

The Little Lost Girl

One day I was outside my school and I saw a little girl crying. I went to her and asked her what happened and she told me that the afterschool bus left her and she was going to be alone for 6 hours. She didn't have any money, not even a phone. She was six. I told her if she could give me her mother's phone number so I can find out where her afterschool hours were taking place. I finally found out. Her mom was at work and when she realized what had happened she couldn't believe it. She was scared and didn't want her daughter lost. I told her that she could trust me and she gave me directions to the kindergarten where the afterschool hours were taking place. I went there with the girl and left her there with the teachers. The teachers were really mad and confused. They ... Read Full Story >>

The Confused Young Man In the Wheel Chair

We went out to dinner at one of the clubs and I noticed a young man in a wheelchair. I think he has muscular dystrophy. His brain is great but physically he cannot do much. I had a chat with him and it was hard to understand him. I made a point of really listening and looking at him. Of course, I always think this could be my child and treat him the way I would want my child to be respected. Stewart finds it hard to relate but boy, does he really make a great effort. So after some time, he moved on and we continued to eat. As we were leaving I noticed him looking into his wallet and looking around. So we went up and found out he had lost his visa card! He had gotten money out earlier and put the card, or so he thought in his carry ... Read Full Story >>

Nightshift at the Marriott

It had been a long, hot August day. We'd driven over six hundred miles and it was nearing 11 pm as we entered Kingman, Arizona. We pulled off and picked a motel. Much to my surprise, it being mid-week, the deskman informed me they were full. Next place, same story. This time, I asked the clerk for suggestions.      "Try the Hampton Inn."      At the Hampton we were greeted with, "We're booked. Sorry."     "What's going on?" I asked. "Is there some kind of convention in town?"     "A tour bus just pulled in with 60 people," he said. "Plus lots of people are heading up to the Grand Canyon. It's an unusual evening. You might try the Best Western. I think they had one room left about an hour ago."      We tried the Best Western. No luck.      By that time, we'd traveled to the west end of ... Read Full Story >>

Wrapped In Kindness

Yesterday, I attended an outdoor graduation ceremony.
It was uncharacteristically windy and cold. Since I'm local to the area where the ceremony was held, I had plenty of scarves, hats, gloves available, and I brought them to the graduation to share with my family.

During the ceremony, I heard a little boy who looked about four years old complaining that he was so cold. You see, they were from out of town and thought the weather was going to be much warmer down South. And actually, it usually is a lot warmer... just not yesterday.  

I had an extra scarf draped over my legs, and I immediately took it and handed it to the Mom to wrap around her son. She took it, and said she'd give it back at the end of the ceremony. The little guy was quiet and content after she wrapped that scarf around his neck and face. :)

Later, when it was time to leave, the mother found me and handed the scarf back to me. I told her to keep it and to pay it forward with another act of kindness someday.

She looked at me for a moment. Then broke into a smile as she answered, "Yes, oh yes, I will do just that." :)

The Taxi Driver

When I got on the taxi I had booked this morning I noticed it was the same gentleman that had taken me back home last week. I remembered what we'd talked about so I spoke to him. He was surprised and said he thought sometimes that no one cared.

He said he'd started swimming and was happy to have lost weight, he does it every morning before starting work. We got talking, told him that swimming was a great activity and mentioned the effect of exercise in our brains too. He said he knew it was good for depression and so .... (we are all fighting our own battles, sometimes in silence) I was glad I'd spoken to him.

Sharing, listening...so important, we all need it some time or other. He wished me a good day so many times when he dropped me back that he made laugh, we were both happier :-)

The man behind the counter knew just what to do.

My sweet daughter had an epileptic seizure in a coffee shop today. It ran its course over about 20 minutes. She is always so brave and embarrassed and disorientated as the seizure comes and goes. I am so grateful to the young man at the counter who instantly brought ice water I'd requested to help her cool down. He offered help in any other way although we always just have to wait it out and speak comforting words, hold her hands, apply cold compresses, nothing more anyone else can really do. It was amazing how many people didn't have a clue what was happening. People hypnotized by their small screen devices, or deep in conversation. It was a blessing for us as my daughter hates "fuss" when this happens and people often are either just stare as they are curious about what's happening or get overly concerned, naturally. I practiced being peaceful and ... Read Full Story >>

Scarves For The Homeless

😊From Baby Blankets to Scarves.....

I have, for now, switched my crochet "give-always", from blankets for babies, to scarves for the homeless. The switch was motivated by mindyjourney's post about providing scarves for the homeless population in South Dakota. Another KindSpring inspired RAK.

Love & light in every stitch is my crochet mantra. Blessed to serve.❤️

Everyday is a Special Day, Because She's With Me

Today my mom-in law would have been 82. Even though she passed away three years ago this April, we all still feel her love and presence with us every single day. She was a generous, warm-hearted spirit who made friends with everyone who crossed her path. I am smiling thinking of all of the ways in which we are still connected to her spirit. I left flowers on her daughter's doorstep today--sunflowers to embody her mom's spirit. I made several gallons of her favorite mango lassi as a contribution to a school event today, and then toasted her with a small glass, smiling as I thought of what she would say to me. Thought of everything I did after work today--picking up dry cleaning, making dinner, bringing homemade treats to a neighbor, volunteering, connecting with friends over the phone/email, writing a letter of recommendation for someone, surprising my son with a new ... Read Full Story >>

Showing Kindness to Even the Smallest Beings

I have found that the way I treat insects acts as a reflection of my approach to kindness.  Like most kids, I suppose, I mistreated bugs terribly.  But many adults continue the rampage against insects, and I have often found that they do this mindlessly, killing them for no reason. With the weather getting warmer, more bugs are getting into our houses.  We also spend more time in "their house," as we enjoy the great outdoors.  We find ourselves reaching for the fly swatter and insecticides to get rid of them.  But why do we do this?  Most insects pose no threat to us, but we kill them anyway. As a young adult, I found myself questioning my treatment of bugs.  It became a moral issue.  I remember reading a Native American story about a mother who saw her daughter stomp on a spider.  The mom simply asks the child: "Now who'll take care ... Read Full Story >>

Cards And More Cards

I have a co-worker who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. She had surgery and will undergo chemotherapy. 
 
Our manager gave us her mailing address and said we could send her a card if we wanted. So, I have been sending her cards a few times a week ... some pretty ... some funny ... but I just keep sending them to her.
 
She called our manager the other day and said she has good days and bad days, but she really enjoyed getting the cards from me. She said she wasn't up to phone calls or talking to anyone about her cancer yet, so the cards were a great way to know we are all thinking of her. They are also something she can look at over and over.
 
I will continue to send them until she returns to work!

Stepping In to Make Up a $3 Shortfall

Yesterday I was in the electronics department purchasing something small for my son. As I went to check out, a young boy of about 9 was in front of me with a zip lock baggie of money and a video game. The clerk gave him the price and helped him to count out the money. After the bills and the quarters, it became clear that he would not have quite enough money.  The child kept counting with stress mounting on his face.  The clerk told him that he was $3 short.  The boy's face was so sad.  While I had been watching this, I had been thinking, "if he doesn't have enough, I 'll pay the difference for him." I was glad that I was prepared because the boy quickly began to sweep the money back into the bag. I stepped  up and  told the clerk I would pay and reached over to encourage the ... Read Full Story >>

Collecting Toys And Treats For The Dog Pound

I've collected a few bags of dog treats and dog toys when I've seen them on sale. Some I've left at the park with a note for someone with a dog to pick up as a RAOK, and the others I've been storing away to take to the local animal shelter as soon as I've got enough to fill a bag.

I was at the pet shop and bought some more hard rubber balls, the cashier commented that my dog must go through a lot of balls, and I told him my plan to take a bag of toys and treats to the pound. He said I had a good heart and added two more balls to the bag - free! and gave me a suggestion to email the head office and ask for their toy returns. If I can deliver them to the pound myself, then he was sure that could happen.

Here's giving it a go!

An Angel In The Check-out Line

It was a busy day at the grocery store and two young ladies were in line behind me with birthday balloons.  They appeared to be stressed and in a hurry so I asked if they wanted to go ahead of me. They were very appreciative.   I asked what the balloons were for and one girl said they were for her nephew's second birthday.  She said it was a difficult day for her with lots of family drama and that her nephew had a twin and something bad happened to the baby at birth.  I noticed she had a small heart shaped tattoo on her neck with the a date in it. The date was exactly two years ago. So, I knew it had to be a significant day.  They were chatting together about their rush to get ready for the party, all the things left to do, and how nobody offered to ... Read Full Story >>

An Extra Few Minutes To Shovel Up Some Good Karma

Yep, it's that time of year again! Last night it snowed.  This morning my driveway was covered in a bright white blanket.    The snowfall wasn't too heavy and I was able to sweep it away in a few minutes.

My husband and I have an elderly neighbor.  He seems to be away this year, I don't know if he's in a nursing home or perhaps he's staying at a relative's home.  I don't know - but I don't mind because he is a GRINCH!  My husband and I don't like him very much, but for the past three or four years since I've been living here, I have always made it a point to shovel or sweep his driveway whenever I do mine.  I encourage my husband to do the same. 

We believe that because our neighbor is elderly, we should shovel his snow away!  It just takes an extra few minutes.  Tomorrow the snowfall is supposed to be heavier, and of course I will shovel my neighbor's driveway.

This year, let's all do this... it's the kind thing to do. 

In My Late Twenties ...

In my late twenties I taught aqua-fitness for three years (three times a week). I was also teaching swimming to people afraid of the water. I had an amazing lady of 77 years old, that just began to love water at that age. It was beautiful to see her new love story with water as she was so scared of it for so many years before. I was also finishing my bachelor in psychology at that time and thought about the incredible positive psychological impact all that had in her life. It was beautiful to see her evolve in the water.... playing and having fun! She felt so good about her swimming,that she started to become more active. She used to run on the her roof top, begun to do yoga again and she fell in love with a new neighbor.... her eyes were twinkling! she told me it was like ... Read Full Story >>

A Chocolate-Chip Birthday Cake

I work in a small department store. I decided to celebrate my fellow employees birthdays - if they wanted to be remembered! 

A Smiling Face at the Store

I needed to get some supplies to clean the house this weekend, so I headed over to a local store. While walking through the aisles there, I realized that I wasn't smiling at anyone. That was out of character. I almost always smile at strangers with the hope that it might brighten their day a bit. But in that particular moment, my mind was focused on events that had bothered me earlier in the day. Not really in the mood to smile, I thought, Oh well, and continued through the store. When I went to check out my things, I was met with a very long line. People were stocking up on Christmas gifts and things for the holidays. To help minimize the first line, a second register opened up. I quickly switched over to the it. After a few moments, I began to notice that all the people in front ... Read Full Story >>