Try Mumbling

Mumbling is considered rude and usually not to be encouraged. But sometimes good things come from not-s0-good behavior.

My oldest daughter had taken all of the classes she could take at the closest community college and now was gong to continue her education as an ASL interpreter at the college 40 miles away. So we started working on the logistics of the commute.

I called the Transit Company and asked, “Do you have discounts for students who will be traveling on your system?” “We do for students under 18,” I was told. Dang.  But before I hung up I mumbled, “No. She’s 20 and going to college.” “Oh!” was the response. “Is she is going to the University?” Dang, again!  We had edged closer just be pushed off the cliff.  “No”, I again mumbled. “She’ll be going to the Community College.”

“Oh!” the employee responded, again. “The Community College subsidizes a pass that is available for their students.”  Success!!

It is  frustrating to realize that unless you ask the correct question, when you have no idea what that question is, you won’t get the correct answer  But cheer up! Mumbling may provide the right question! You may want to try it sometime.

 

 

What One Lonely Chicken Has Taught Me

 

2014 was a tough year for critters on the farm.  We lost our two cats, one of our two chickens, and had to say good-bye to our dog.  The farm now just has one lonely chicken. I feel sorry for her.  Every morning when I open her coop I greet her and on occasion we chat for a bit.  She’s taught me a few things about grief and loneliness:

Grief sucks.  But you still have to get up each morning and eat a good breakfast.  On mornings (currently weekends and over Christmas break) when I open her coop after daybreak, Goldie is waiting at the door and heads immediately to her dish for breakfast.  It’s important to keep up your strength.

On those other mornings, when I open her coop before daybreak because I leave for work when it’s still dark, Goldie stays in bed until it lightens up.  It’s important to get your sleep.

Each morning I toss out some granola for Goldie.  She eats her breakfast first saving the goodies for later.  Treats are good but nutrition is important so eat the main course first.

In case you weren’t paying attention, sleep is important.  Our bodies need sleep to heal physically and emotionally.  When it’s dark, head to bed. (If only I could, Goldie!)

It’s okay to be sad.  Goldie misses her walking buddy and immediately after losing her friend Goldie didn’t venture very far from her yard.   But she’s starting to walk a little further.  Because it gets better.  Yes Goldie, it gets better.

One more night to stay up late

I have one more night to stay up late like the big kids before going back to school.

It was a great Christmas break.  We got together with most of the family, had some snow and some ice, saw some friends, heard from others, ate some great cookies, and I got to stay up late like the big kids.

But time flies and now there’s just one more night of staying up late.  One more day of sleeping in.  One more day of taking my morning walk in the daylight.  One more day of schlepping around in sweats.  One more day to sort through the pile of papers on my desk.  One more day of going for my afternoon walk whenever I darn well feel like it.  One more day and then it’s back to real life..

But till then, I have tonight when I can stay up late like the big kids.  Heck it’s already 9:33.

Did Everyone Have a Good Thanksgiving?

I went to the Post Office shortly after Thanksgiving. I was next in line to the window waiting my turn. A woman came in and joined the line behind me and we stood quietly, patiently, staring blankly ahead.  The door opened and another woman entered the post office.  She pulled up in line and before she’d put herself into park she cheerily asked, “Did everyone have a good Thanksgiving?”

I would never do anything like this.  I would never enter a room of strangers, strangers I will probably never see again, and ask if they had had a good Thanksgiving. We were in line at the Post Office buying stamps for Christmas cards and sending off gifts.  We weren’t here to discuss Thanksgiving with strangers. How extraordinarily odd.

Who does such a thing? This woman, that’s who. And immediately the room became warmer, our blank stares turned to smiles, our quiet patience turned into pleasant chatter as we began interacting, saying yes, we’d had a good Thanksgiving, eaten too much, enjoyed family.

I don’t know her name and won’t recognize her if I do see her again. But I will remember her.  The unusual woman who knows how to spread cheer.