Land’s sake…I don’t know how y’all out West are handling the intense heat and mega drought. It was in the 90’s here yesterday and, of course, that’s with a ton of humidity. As Little would say, you could see the oxygen. The former Mrs. FixIt and my bonus daughter came over yesterday to pick some squash and tomatoes from the garden. They brought lemons and green tomatoes in trade. It was so hot just standing out there for a short period of time. I can’t imagine how people stand it that have to work out in this heat every day.
I remember when I was young, we always knew every neighbor up and down the block by name. We knew where they worked and all their kids’ names. And, if you needed to borrow a cup of sugar, you might take an egg or a stick of butter with you so as to even your debt. That kept you from schlepping back over the next week with that cup of sugar. If you borrowed a tool, you cleaned it well afterwards and returned it in better condition than when you got it. If it used gas, you filled it up. If you broke it, you paid to get it fixed or you replaced it.
If someone was elderly or ill and unable to care for the yard or garden, you and/or your kids went over and did some chores to help out. When someone died or had a new baby, you took food and offered to shop or run errands. When someone had a birthday or anniversary, you sent a card. When you had a party, you sent an invitation. If you were on the receiving end, you sent a thank you note.
Yes, I know times are different. A verbal thank you is sufficient in most cases. And, depending on the depth of your friendship, a Facebook greeting or text wishing them a good day on special days is probably adequate. I don’t know what it is…being old school or being retired and having the time to do more…but I think about these things now and wonder if all this casual communication somehow robs the giver and receiver both of the joy of the giving.
Maybe it’s natural to look back when you are “of a certain age” and long for “the good ol’ days”. I know they weren’t always good, and we have selective memory loss at some point. But, I do miss the more genteel manners of yesteryear.
Speaking of manners, Mr. FixIt and I were heading to his acupuncture appointment yesterday when we stopped to get a drink on the way. We were sitting in line at the McDonald’s and could clearly see something hanging on the overpass. When we finished eating our breakfast sandwich, my curiosity got the better of me and I drove to where I could read the sign. It turned out to be from a violent, white supremacy, neo-fascist group. I was shocked to see something like that hanging there. This was a 2:00 in the afternoon, so who knows how long it had been there. We called the state patrol and they said they’d get right on it. It had been removed by the time we got back home a few hours later.
I just have no patience for hate anymore. When I see it, I call it out.
It’s going to be another scorcher today! Keep cool and safe out there, my friends!
?
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.””
1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV