So often today, we hear more bad than good, of the world, the economy, and the ‘we weren’t like that when we were that age’ children.
When I had my 4-H group, the children kept me up to date of the greatness within a child’s soul. Their willingness to lend a helping hand, the wanting to do what’s right and their unshakable ethics of what friendship is about.
It’s been a while since those days and I don’t get daily reminders of the good in so many children. Especially being bombarded from media’s about what’s wrong with the children of today. That ADHD, ADD, selfishness, recklessness, bitterness and laziness are on the rise.
Personally, in this time of economic crisis, people losing jobs and homes, I think the media’s should shed more light on the good stuff.
I understand the importance of updates, warnings and savior from the bad things and that we all need reminding to be careful because, unfortunately, there is bad in the world. But wouldn’t showing more of the good out there help ward off the bad. You know one good deed, creates another.
Wouldn’t highlighting a child that has beaten the odds, making them a role model, rather than one that is beaten and angry, entice more to say, hey I can do that. Yes we must be made aware about the beaten and angry ones so that someone can help them beat the odds. But showing is doing.
Two things recently specifically reminded me of the good spirit in children. First, I had the privilege to help judge essays for the Joanne Champion Granger Scholarship.
I am amazed at what these kids have done, where they've gone and with these children I see hope for our future.
Then my goddaughter shared a troubling trend about a friend in her school that was having a bad time and had thoughts the world would be a better place with out them.
Immediately my heart was sad, that a child would think this of themselves. My Goddaughter’s thoughts were the same.
She wanting to help first told her mom, fearing for this friend. Then with no experience of what do next, but knowing in her heart she needed to do something, wrote down and express why this child is important to her and that it is worth living through the rough patches of life.
She wanted to let them know, when you think there is no one….that you have no friends…or no one cares…just follow the light and a friends hand will reach out…even in the dark tunnels of life.
This is the poem she gave to that friend.
The Light Of Friendship
Do not be sad,
for there is always light in the tunnel of your life,
to be found somewhere.
It may not seem so bright at first,
But with an open mind, eyes and a good heart
The Light Of Your Friends Will Always Find You.
Sabrina Sworts ….age 12
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Simplicity + Integrity =
It speaks to me—when ever I enter the pantry.
Lately though, it seems, in a louder, multiplied in power voice, directed at me from where it sits a top one of the pantry cupboards.
It’s been there a long time. Possibly more years than I realize — how quick, it reminds me, the years can add up. I’ve subtly been trying to discount its beckoning call, why I don’t know, but its not allowing me to do so any longer.
Sometimes it speaks to me in its own, click tick, click tick voice and other times, it’s the voice of my mother saying, “Kellie Marie…listen to me”. Then other ‘times’ behind the click tick, click tick, the tone equals the roar of my fathers excavation equipment.
I’d like to introduce you to Victor Champion 760 manual calculator, born around the 1940’s in Chicago, USA.
This marvelous adding machine is the calculator my mother used to add up invoices and bills from the excavating business, Nelson’s Excavating Inc, she and my dad built, back in the early 1950’s through the late 80’s, until dad was diagnosed with Lupus and could not longer work. Basically a two-person operation, my mother who did the paper work and occasionally drove dump on jobs with dad and dad who loved and operated his earth moving equipment, with a born talent second to none.
Now years after Nelson’s Excavating Inc. has stopped, with its yellowed rolled paper, and ink ribbon that has dried, Victor Champion is speaking out and it’s speaking to me.
Unable to ignore it any longer I retrieved it from its place of rest a few days ago. Dusted it off, fed fresh old yellow paper through the receiver, pulled the lever, and though I could not read the numbers, still with each click tick of the number keys, pull of the crank and turn of the ribbon spindle, memories appeared so clear, I did not need fresh ink to see them.
With Victor Champions, straightforward adding and subtracting, I’m reminded of simpler times before hefty taxes, when zip codes had only five numbers, and when some one could address a letter, simply The Nelsons, Colden, NY and we’d get it. When telephone numbers started with XH1 instead of all digits and business contracts signed, sealed and delivered with handshakes were more concrete than written contracts of today
Each time I pulled the crank, click tick, I remembered the days of grand Christmas parties with friends and clients. Hand written bills and a lifetime guarantee of a septic system at no extra cost. It brought back memories of fun evenings with family, making root beer floats, seeing the NBC peacock for the first time in color, sitting outside around a campfire in our back yard, my dad getting tipsy on his 16oz Peils beer and Gucky our duck swimming in ‘the family’ pool with us.
I keep pressing the number tabs and pulling the crank, adding, though not seeing any numbers, listening to the once familiar click tick of gears, adding more memories to those that have flooded my senses. I recall the time a client did not pay their bill and my parents took his 30x60 Ester Williams, Olympic size, above ground, Redwood swimming pool with a 24-foot deck, as payment.
My dad being the adventurous person he was, decided one summer evening it was time to bring it home. He brought it home in one piece on his lowboy. Yes, I said in ONE FULL piece. A whole swimming pool, balanced just right, atop dads lowboy, being taken to its knew home down a country road. Of course, it was the days when little traffic traveled our roads. If a car did come along, they were not in a hurry. They followed amused that they could not see or get around the monstrosity that tickled the road signs on each side of the road.
Making it more fun, even though they could not see past the big red mass, was that they knew who it was, where he lived and soon there would be a driveway or a dried lawn to skirt around, so they could yell as they drove by, …
“HEY George, what— are— you— doing?”
Dad laughing, “What do you mean, what am I doing? Can’t you see? I’m bringing home the new pool I bought ‘the family’.”
“Only you George, Only you,” They’d laugh and wave cruising by, not perturbed by their delay. It would be a good story to tell at the barbers or at the next fireman’s parade.
I engage the lever again and clearly see my mother sitting at her spindled legged, black wooden message desk, with the slots full of papers, and the black dial phone sitting on the corner. Click tick write, click tick write, click tick write, adding, adding, adding, hand writing bills.
Flipping the, it must weigh 10 pounds, calculator over, I am reminded by the engraved stamp on the back, that Victor Champion was made in Chicago...USA, not across the seas, filling me with pride at a time, when that’s they way it was, and sad because that’s the way it should be. Moreover, here it is many years later in its simplicity still adding and subtracting not only numbers but also memories. Could a calculator of today though faster, hold a crank to the Victor Champion in its day?
Still I wonder why Victor Campion is speaking so loud to me now. Is it because of my new business and it wants to be part of it. Is it my mom and dad speaking from beyond telling me, if I am mindful of my monies and stay simple, Herbs & Things will survive?
I haven’t decided exactly want I want to do with Victor Champion. Should I replace the old yellow paper roll and dried ink ribbon with new and use it. I fear though, that doing so, might remove all the memories within. Or should I put it in the shop just to be there to remind me of simpler days and to run Herbs & Things in that way…Simply.
I guess, I’ll have to take it out in the shop and listen for its voice…a voice of wisdom from years of experience.
Its click tick voice might be that of mom and dad, who were entrepreneurs before me, telling me through the memories added up by Victor Champions click tick, click tick, that
Simplicity + Integrity = good luck and much business for Herbs & Things.
Lately though, it seems, in a louder, multiplied in power voice, directed at me from where it sits a top one of the pantry cupboards.
It’s been there a long time. Possibly more years than I realize — how quick, it reminds me, the years can add up. I’ve subtly been trying to discount its beckoning call, why I don’t know, but its not allowing me to do so any longer.
Sometimes it speaks to me in its own, click tick, click tick voice and other times, it’s the voice of my mother saying, “Kellie Marie…listen to me”. Then other ‘times’ behind the click tick, click tick, the tone equals the roar of my fathers excavation equipment.
I’d like to introduce you to Victor Champion 760 manual calculator, born around the 1940’s in Chicago, USA.
This marvelous adding machine is the calculator my mother used to add up invoices and bills from the excavating business, Nelson’s Excavating Inc, she and my dad built, back in the early 1950’s through the late 80’s, until dad was diagnosed with Lupus and could not longer work. Basically a two-person operation, my mother who did the paper work and occasionally drove dump on jobs with dad and dad who loved and operated his earth moving equipment, with a born talent second to none.
Now years after Nelson’s Excavating Inc. has stopped, with its yellowed rolled paper, and ink ribbon that has dried, Victor Champion is speaking out and it’s speaking to me.
Unable to ignore it any longer I retrieved it from its place of rest a few days ago. Dusted it off, fed fresh old yellow paper through the receiver, pulled the lever, and though I could not read the numbers, still with each click tick of the number keys, pull of the crank and turn of the ribbon spindle, memories appeared so clear, I did not need fresh ink to see them.
With Victor Champions, straightforward adding and subtracting, I’m reminded of simpler times before hefty taxes, when zip codes had only five numbers, and when some one could address a letter, simply The Nelsons, Colden, NY and we’d get it. When telephone numbers started with XH1 instead of all digits and business contracts signed, sealed and delivered with handshakes were more concrete than written contracts of today
Each time I pulled the crank, click tick, I remembered the days of grand Christmas parties with friends and clients. Hand written bills and a lifetime guarantee of a septic system at no extra cost. It brought back memories of fun evenings with family, making root beer floats, seeing the NBC peacock for the first time in color, sitting outside around a campfire in our back yard, my dad getting tipsy on his 16oz Peils beer and Gucky our duck swimming in ‘the family’ pool with us.
I keep pressing the number tabs and pulling the crank, adding, though not seeing any numbers, listening to the once familiar click tick of gears, adding more memories to those that have flooded my senses. I recall the time a client did not pay their bill and my parents took his 30x60 Ester Williams, Olympic size, above ground, Redwood swimming pool with a 24-foot deck, as payment.
My dad being the adventurous person he was, decided one summer evening it was time to bring it home. He brought it home in one piece on his lowboy. Yes, I said in ONE FULL piece. A whole swimming pool, balanced just right, atop dads lowboy, being taken to its knew home down a country road. Of course, it was the days when little traffic traveled our roads. If a car did come along, they were not in a hurry. They followed amused that they could not see or get around the monstrosity that tickled the road signs on each side of the road.
Making it more fun, even though they could not see past the big red mass, was that they knew who it was, where he lived and soon there would be a driveway or a dried lawn to skirt around, so they could yell as they drove by, …
“HEY George, what— are— you— doing?”
Dad laughing, “What do you mean, what am I doing? Can’t you see? I’m bringing home the new pool I bought ‘the family’.”
“Only you George, Only you,” They’d laugh and wave cruising by, not perturbed by their delay. It would be a good story to tell at the barbers or at the next fireman’s parade.
I engage the lever again and clearly see my mother sitting at her spindled legged, black wooden message desk, with the slots full of papers, and the black dial phone sitting on the corner. Click tick write, click tick write, click tick write, adding, adding, adding, hand writing bills.
Flipping the, it must weigh 10 pounds, calculator over, I am reminded by the engraved stamp on the back, that Victor Champion was made in Chicago...USA, not across the seas, filling me with pride at a time, when that’s they way it was, and sad because that’s the way it should be. Moreover, here it is many years later in its simplicity still adding and subtracting not only numbers but also memories. Could a calculator of today though faster, hold a crank to the Victor Champion in its day?
Still I wonder why Victor Campion is speaking so loud to me now. Is it because of my new business and it wants to be part of it. Is it my mom and dad speaking from beyond telling me, if I am mindful of my monies and stay simple, Herbs & Things will survive?
I haven’t decided exactly want I want to do with Victor Champion. Should I replace the old yellow paper roll and dried ink ribbon with new and use it. I fear though, that doing so, might remove all the memories within. Or should I put it in the shop just to be there to remind me of simpler days and to run Herbs & Things in that way…Simply.
I guess, I’ll have to take it out in the shop and listen for its voice…a voice of wisdom from years of experience.
Its click tick voice might be that of mom and dad, who were entrepreneurs before me, telling me through the memories added up by Victor Champions click tick, click tick, that
Simplicity + Integrity = good luck and much business for Herbs & Things.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Another small thing I've done to conserve
A little update on a small thing I’ve decided to do, to conserve energy and our natural resources.
When I mail a letter from my mailbox, I’ve returned to the old fashion way of putting my return address on. I write it in that infamous left corner where I used to stick a cute return address label.
I have the luxury of doing that, because right now I have a small amount of mail I actually mail out.
I figure if all those who don’t really need to, stop making fancy labels, wouldn’t it ‘cut’ down our precious tree loss?
There’s only one problem with this method and why I went to printing labels in the first place—Now people have to look at more of my chicken scratching, once on the address and now in the return address. But I guess if it gets where it needs to go, then chicken scratching is OK.
I know—your might be questioning my reasoning, what can I say, it’s how my mind works.
Kellie
What Trees do for us
Resource ….
KIDS F.A.C.E @http://www.kidsface.org/pages/resource.html
Trees are our breathing partners. You may not live in a forest, but you need trees in order to live. People and animals depend on trees and plants for oxygen. As you breathe in, your body uses oxygen. As you breathe out, it gives off carbon dioxide. Trees do just the opposite. They take in Carbon Dioxide and then release oxygen (which also helps clean the air).
Trees also help cool the Earth. Trees give off moisture. More moisture in the air means more rain and all living things need water. Trees cool the air by shading and through water evaporation. They act like huge pumps to cycle water up from the soil back into the air. The 200,000 leaves on a healthy 100 foot tree can take 11,000 gallons of water from the soil and breathe it into the air in a single growing season.
Trees are also very important for us as a renewable resource. Trees are a natural resource that can be renewed - by the planting of trees - replacing the trees that are harvested for use by people. We depend on forest products for things like the wood we burn for heat and the wood we use to make houses and furniture. We use trees for the paper to make books and letters we write. Actually, there are more than 5,000 things made from trees. Trees give us baseball bats, shoe polish, and even tooth paste that comes from tree extracts.
Today, the people and companies that manage our nation's forests recognize that trees are a valuable resource and that it is in the best interest of each of us to conserve them. The idea of sustainable forestry means trying to keep things in balance - when trees are cut down to make paper and other products, new trees are planted or re-grow naturally and forests helps wildlife by providing them food and a home. Trees and forests help us by cleaning our air, soil, and water - and provide a place for you to camp and hike!
So you can help the world by planting a tree.
Source ….KIDS F.A.C.E @http://www.kidsface.org/pages/resource.html
When I mail a letter from my mailbox, I’ve returned to the old fashion way of putting my return address on. I write it in that infamous left corner where I used to stick a cute return address label.
I have the luxury of doing that, because right now I have a small amount of mail I actually mail out.
I figure if all those who don’t really need to, stop making fancy labels, wouldn’t it ‘cut’ down our precious tree loss?
There’s only one problem with this method and why I went to printing labels in the first place—Now people have to look at more of my chicken scratching, once on the address and now in the return address. But I guess if it gets where it needs to go, then chicken scratching is OK.
I know—your might be questioning my reasoning, what can I say, it’s how my mind works.
Kellie
What Trees do for us
Resource ….
KIDS F.A.C.E @http://www.kidsface.org/pages/resource.html
Trees are our breathing partners. You may not live in a forest, but you need trees in order to live. People and animals depend on trees and plants for oxygen. As you breathe in, your body uses oxygen. As you breathe out, it gives off carbon dioxide. Trees do just the opposite. They take in Carbon Dioxide and then release oxygen (which also helps clean the air).
Trees also help cool the Earth. Trees give off moisture. More moisture in the air means more rain and all living things need water. Trees cool the air by shading and through water evaporation. They act like huge pumps to cycle water up from the soil back into the air. The 200,000 leaves on a healthy 100 foot tree can take 11,000 gallons of water from the soil and breathe it into the air in a single growing season.
Trees are also very important for us as a renewable resource. Trees are a natural resource that can be renewed - by the planting of trees - replacing the trees that are harvested for use by people. We depend on forest products for things like the wood we burn for heat and the wood we use to make houses and furniture. We use trees for the paper to make books and letters we write. Actually, there are more than 5,000 things made from trees. Trees give us baseball bats, shoe polish, and even tooth paste that comes from tree extracts.
Today, the people and companies that manage our nation's forests recognize that trees are a valuable resource and that it is in the best interest of each of us to conserve them. The idea of sustainable forestry means trying to keep things in balance - when trees are cut down to make paper and other products, new trees are planted or re-grow naturally and forests helps wildlife by providing them food and a home. Trees and forests help us by cleaning our air, soil, and water - and provide a place for you to camp and hike!
So you can help the world by planting a tree.
Source ….KIDS F.A.C.E @http://www.kidsface.org/pages/resource.html
Monday, March 2, 2009
Could have knocked me over with a feather
18,000-20,000 soon turned excitement and eager anticipation in to a small disappointment.
Those numbers —are the dollar amount to convert Herbs & Things home to solar power.
After months of searching for either wind or solar power for Herbs & Things, when I saw it, my heart skipped a beat. It was love at first sight as I stared at my hearts desire, a Cabin Solar Kit.
I sent away for a catalog from a company called Power Up. I eagerly opened it when it arrived, flipping through the catalog, passing all other suitors, searching for my one and only. Then there it was, staring back at me, radiant with solar panels dressed and ready to go. I fell deeper in love. I dreamed that soon, Cabin Solar Kit and I would be together.
Sonny, a sales rep, had included his card with the catalog. I called to inquire about prices and options. A quiet deep voice with a slight accent answered.
I told him who I was and what I was interested in. He told he would need about five months worth of kwh’s Herbs & Things used to better estimate the best solar package.
I giggle slightly and said, “Oh I am very small I won’t need much and you know Sonny, I’m going to be very bold, but all you can do is say no. Be—Cause… I am sooooo—small, would your company be interested in paying for my set up? I’d be good advertisement in this area and I WOULD be an AVID promoter of the product.”
His answer was, he could not make that decision, he’d have to go to his boss, but it wasn’t out of the question.
I waited, counting days as I accumulated five months of bills. Sonny emailed me before the last bill came, to check in. I emailed him back and told him I was waiting on one more bill. Then suggested, while we were waiting, he might want to check out my web site. He could see how small I am. He did check it out that same day, then emailed me back and complimented my web site.
Finally—the fifth bill came. I added the numbers and thought; I bet this is nothing compared to some. Cabin Solar Kit and I will soon be together.
I emailed Sonny with my estimated kwh’s. He phoned me the same day.
Well the rest is history. Cabin Solar Kit and I will have to wait until another day. Maybe that day will come, when I hit the lottery or Herbs & Things and I become millionaires. I’d better get selling more teas and “Things”!
However, I want to express thanks to Sonny. A man in a big company, that probably knew I could not afford the Cabin Kit. And in spite of my naivety of the cost of solar power, he took the time with no condescension in his voice, nor gave me the impression he felt this very small cog was insignificant and explained, the what’s and why’s of converting, for future reference should I be able to afford to do so.
Not even, when I heard him smile over the phone, when I said in shock, “Sonny could please repeat the cost. I don’t think I heard you right”.
So again, I say thank you Sonny for taking the time to ‘enlighten’ me
Kellie
Those numbers —are the dollar amount to convert Herbs & Things home to solar power.
After months of searching for either wind or solar power for Herbs & Things, when I saw it, my heart skipped a beat. It was love at first sight as I stared at my hearts desire, a Cabin Solar Kit.
I sent away for a catalog from a company called Power Up. I eagerly opened it when it arrived, flipping through the catalog, passing all other suitors, searching for my one and only. Then there it was, staring back at me, radiant with solar panels dressed and ready to go. I fell deeper in love. I dreamed that soon, Cabin Solar Kit and I would be together.
Sonny, a sales rep, had included his card with the catalog. I called to inquire about prices and options. A quiet deep voice with a slight accent answered.
I told him who I was and what I was interested in. He told he would need about five months worth of kwh’s Herbs & Things used to better estimate the best solar package.
I giggle slightly and said, “Oh I am very small I won’t need much and you know Sonny, I’m going to be very bold, but all you can do is say no. Be—Cause… I am sooooo—small, would your company be interested in paying for my set up? I’d be good advertisement in this area and I WOULD be an AVID promoter of the product.”
His answer was, he could not make that decision, he’d have to go to his boss, but it wasn’t out of the question.
I waited, counting days as I accumulated five months of bills. Sonny emailed me before the last bill came, to check in. I emailed him back and told him I was waiting on one more bill. Then suggested, while we were waiting, he might want to check out my web site. He could see how small I am. He did check it out that same day, then emailed me back and complimented my web site.
Finally—the fifth bill came. I added the numbers and thought; I bet this is nothing compared to some. Cabin Solar Kit and I will soon be together.
I emailed Sonny with my estimated kwh’s. He phoned me the same day.
Well the rest is history. Cabin Solar Kit and I will have to wait until another day. Maybe that day will come, when I hit the lottery or Herbs & Things and I become millionaires. I’d better get selling more teas and “Things”!
However, I want to express thanks to Sonny. A man in a big company, that probably knew I could not afford the Cabin Kit. And in spite of my naivety of the cost of solar power, he took the time with no condescension in his voice, nor gave me the impression he felt this very small cog was insignificant and explained, the what’s and why’s of converting, for future reference should I be able to afford to do so.
Not even, when I heard him smile over the phone, when I said in shock, “Sonny could please repeat the cost. I don’t think I heard you right”.
So again, I say thank you Sonny for taking the time to ‘enlighten’ me
Kellie