Category: The Nature Center

It is all about Nature

Four Leaf Luck???

I am not really sure how I feel about luck. Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary defines it as “A force that brings good fortune or adversity, favoring chance”. I more often use the word fate. And Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary defines that as “The principle or determining cause or will by which things in general are supposed to come to be as they are or events to happen as they do, whatever is destined or decreed, final outcome”. As humans we have the power of choice. So when I make a choice, but have no control over the process, is it luck that brings me to the outcome or is it fate? I guess if I am true to myself, I will say it is a little of both.

I felt a need to share some things with you today that involve luck and so much more. I am not sure why, just following my heart I guess.  These being, a poem that hung on our bedroom wall in the house I grew up in, a life experience, and a few pictures of my findings. I will begin by sharing the same poem with you that I read nearly every morning, growing up, as I was getting dressed and ready to take on the day. It hung just above our bureau, so if we happened to look up it met our gaze. It is a poem by Ella Higginson that I hope you enjoy. Here it is:

                        Four-Leaf Clover


I know a place where the sun is like gold,
   And the cherry blooms burst with snow,
And down underneath is the loveliest nook,
   Where the four-leaf clovers grow.

One leaf is for hope, and one is for faith,
   And one is for love, you know,
And God put another in for luck --
   If you search, you will find where they grow.

But you must have hope, and you must have faith,
   You must love and be strong -- and so --
If you work, if you wait, you will find the place
   Where the four-leaf clovers grow.

BY:
Ella Higginson
1862-1940

And search we did. I like to walk. When I was young, I did a lot of it. Every once in a while I had a sister that would walk with me. We would inevitably end up at this little area with a swing set. Not really a park, just a vacant lot covered in clovers. Every summer we would have a clover finding competition; to see who would find more four-leaf clovers. It always was my sister in the end. Although, I did find my fair share. Maybe because she had more luck than me. Or was it that she had more of the rest? Hope, Faith, and Love. I am not sure, but the more I become, find, and realize who I am in this journey, the more I realize it matters not. The sheer fact that I could find them too, shows me I had whatever she had, including luck. I have continued to find them, and so has she, whenever we feel like putting in the time to look. It is just a matter of slowing our lives down long enough to enjoy them.

Ohio Four Leaf
Texas Four Leaf

So I guess with the way the world is going, I am here, along with Ella, to remind you that no matter where you are in life, or whatever is happening in it, remember to have a little hope, remember to keep the faith, remember to love wholeheartedly and unconditionally, and always stand strong in all of them, you just might find a little luck along the way. I am attaching some proof of mine and maybe you will share with all of us stories or proof of yours. 

The Tree Knows…

Those that know me have heard me say “I love where I live”. That is because I am surrounded by trees, shrubs, and other plant life. So today, as I was doing my daily walk in this environment, I thought about a social media post my cousin made the other day and my response. Also what flooded through my mind were the words from my last post in regards to good versus evil. I am trying to remind myself of these words daily and am trying even harder to recognize them in my actions, words spoken, and tone. That said, maybe we should not forget our individuality or individual responsibilities when we look for global solutions.

Her post read as follows: “So, global warming and climate change are such huge problems, there seems to be no solution. However, instead of being overwhelmed and feeling helpless, we can all make one small change because every little bit helps. I am going to focus on using only cloth bags at stores from now on, though I will use my plastic coated reusable bags until they break as well. Then only cloth bags for me. That is my focus. What is yours?”

Before, I let you know my reply, I want to preface it with a few things. First, whether I believe these exist or not is irrelevant. I do believe that worldwide, each one of us has a hand in damage caused to our planet and each other and we need to find ways of existing without causing so much harm. Second, I think I may agree with my cousin when she says we can all make small changes to heal the planet. Third, the more laws I try to read, and the more research I try to do, makes me ever more skeptic of big governments, big banks, and/or big business. And lastly, the one thing the religious and non-religious among us should agree on is the need for plants.

Here is how I replied: “One of the biggest helps to too much carbon is, guess what, plants. They need it and we need their oxygen. Man’s contribution to these problems is that we deforested and do not replant at the same rate. So plant a garden, that will help. If you take down a tree, plant a tree. And let’s come up with a solution to waste, that for sure does not belong in our National Parks, on our country roads, or on someone’s property who has acreage. Trust me, I made a similar comment about what we all do to our environment and the need in trying to find ways of doing things without hurting the planet. But, with that said, me giving my money to a multimillionaire or a government that uses my money to buy and sell carbon credits, does absolutely nothing for my planet, except make rich men and women richer. Each one of us becoming tiny farmers does much more good.”

As always I ask you to leave your thoughts and comments. I ask that you be productive (good) and not destructive (evil) in doing this as there is already too much hatred in the world. While leaving, I leave you with the following thoughts:

“until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, you water it and make it survive, you haven’t done a thing. You are just talking.” ~ Wangari Maathai..

The non-religious that believe in science should recognize in my reply the process of photosynthesis. Plants use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water and their by-product oxygen.

For the Hindu, everything in the universe is sacred and whatever grows is more so.

Buddhism considers plants to be one-facultied life forms; plants are living organisms which grow in the earth and have the ability to convert sunlight into the energy they need for growth.

Genesis 1:29-30 — Then God said. “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you.”

Quran (Surah Al-A raf, 58) — From the land that is clean and good, by the will of its Cherisher, springs up produce, after its kind: but from the land that is bad, springs up nothing but that which is niggardly: thus do we explain the signs by various to those who are grateful.

The Midrash in Kohelet Rabbah teaches: “When God created the first man he took him and showed him all the trees of the Garden of Eden and said to him, ‘see my works, how beautiful and praiseworthy they are. And everything that I created, I created it for you. Be careful not to spoil or destroy  my world – for if you do, there will be nobody after you to repair it.'”

Try to plant a plant no matter where you are and let us try to begin to heal.

 

 

Farmers Markets Forever….

A few weeks ago I read an article about how farmers markets were detrimental to society. Though I respect the author’s view, I do not see any of what they claimed in their article, in my local farmers markets. And as such, wondered if they had ever been to one, only been to one when they traveled, or if their local market truly made them feel that way. It saddened me to read it really. With all that said, I love to shop at farmers markets and have compiled a list as to why I shop them. As I believe life is about togetherness and community, I hope that if you have never been to one, you will try one out. And if you do shop them, you continue to do so. Here is my list:

Produce is locally grown and fresh. No matter what the local grower/farmer is selling, it is normally right after harvest. This means the product is fresh, not days old after having been shipped, hauled, stored, and then displayed. Because the product is fresh, it means it has a better flavor and has not lost any of its nutrients.

Products are usually organic. I have found, in many cases, local markets are growers that are smaller in nature and thus farm organically. If they do however, use chemicals, the grower is there for you to ask questions of. Many will tell you exactly what they put on their plants. Then you can decide whether or not you want to buy.

Your immune system will thank you. When you buy products you know are grown in your area, that are grown in the same geographical type of soil, then you ingest and expose yourself to the chemical make up of everything that surrounds you. Thus you are already preparing your immune system for any effects that may occur during pollination. It is possible, some of you may begin to notice that you are having less reactions.

They are not only for food. Though many of us like to go to farmers markets for our fruits, vegetables, honey, dairy, and other eatables, many farmers markets have other goods. I have seen everything from furniture, scarves, quilts, artwork, to Jewelry. Many of us have very talented neighbors and we possibly may not even know they are that talented. This leads me to my next one.

A good place to get to know your neighbors. Whether your neighbor is the talented knitter selling scarves or mittens, or the person looking for some raw honey, farmers markets are a very good place to mingle and to get to know the people of your community. You may just make a new friend for life.

Your money stays in your community. I like to save the best for last. Why not want your money to stay in your community? Farmers markets are a very good way to support your local businesses, farmers, growers, artists, and neighbors. It is a very good way to keep your money where it should be, helping out everyone in your community.

These are just a few things I came up with as to why I will always promote a local farmers market. This does not mean I do not also shop the chains, big and small, it just means I will always want to have the ability to shop a local farmers market. Especially if I, am like most, and do not keep a garden of my own. So get out there, get to know your neighbors, support your community, and enjoy the local, fresh, flavorful fare. You just might find, you feel exactly the same way I do.

 

 

 

The New Years Pea…

Not to long ago an old classmate/friend of mine posted a picture to his social media page of his dinner plate. He had extracted the green peas from the dish and commented on his dislike of them. As green is my favorite color, and I personally do not mind green peas, I just had to leave a fun comment. His reply, time for a blog post about peas. Well, I think you are right, except I am changing it up a bit. I am not going to write about green peas today, I am going to introduce him to a different kind of pea. A pea that is more like a bean than a pea; the black-eyed pea.

Many in the south eat the black-eyed peas, as tradition, on New Years day to add luck to their year to come. History explains to us why southerners eat black-eyed peas on New Years Day. As a northerner born and raised, I had never heard this story until I moved to the south. I suspect maybe my friend has not heard the story either. Either way, as a way to expand traditions, and spread some knowledge, I thought I would share the story with all of you.

It begins with the civil war. A war, I think, that no one truly leaves unscathed from or ever really gets over. But, that is for another discussion. Why the peas? Well, the story goes that Major General William T. Sherman led his army from Atlanta, GA on November 15th, 1864 to the port of Savannah where they arrived on December 22nd, 1864. The entire way, they left complete and utter destruction in their wake. Many southerners remained in hiding, with little to no food, as the northern army made their pass through. As they went across Georgia, the northern army took everything of value, including livestock. Any livestock that was not taken, was eaten to sustain the strength and lives of the troops. All crops were taken or destroyed, all livestock was taken or eaten, and many buildings brought down to the ground. What would the southerners find and do?

Once the pass was made, the starving southerners began to come out of hiding. They came out only to find everything destroyed, with the exception of several silos full of black-eyed peas. It appears the northern army could not take everything. And as the peas were only used in the north as feed stock, they were of little value. So the decision was made to leave them behind. For what need would the southerners have of the peas? They no longer had livestock to feed. It was true many fell to starvation. The southerners began to eat the only thing left to sustain their lives; the black-eyed peas. They found some hope in those peas. So, New Years Day 1865 and every New Years since, southerners have added black-eyed peas to their diet. They eat them as an emblem of hope that life will provide them much luck and sustenance in the days ahead.

Like most southerners, I had my share of black-eyed peas yesterday, livestock feed or not. I eat them to stick with tradition, to remember the horrors of the past, the road we have taken since, and in hope that one day all will be forgiven and healed. If luck comes along with that, then that is an added bonus for me. Most importantly, I actually like them with a little bit of butter and hint of bacon flavor. So to you my old classmate/friend and to all of you, if green is not your thing, then maybe you will find a flavor you like in a little pea called a black-eyed pea.

Las Vegas Bound…

While the recent tragedy put Las Vegas, Nevada front and center in our lives, I would like our thoughts to stay there in a more positive light. Sometimes events like these can cause us to fear visiting these places. So along with wanting us to continue to pray for the victims, and provide love and support to their families and the city; maybe we can consider visiting when we get a chance. It just so happens I was there two weeks prior to this event looking for something to do; besides gamble. Although I did do some of that and well let’s just say, I did not leave with a big pocket full of change. Instead, I asked a few people who used to live there, for some advice on places I could see. They provided some great ones and well I thought I would pass them on.

First, let me start by saying, if you are a city person, then you will love a city that never sleeps. There is enough to do to keep your brain active and your adrenaline going; gamble, shop, see a concert, watch a show, wine and dine, view the venues, ride some rides, zip line, take a walking tour, and I could go on and on. If you are, however, exactly like me and prefer your life a whole lot calmer, there are places within reasonable distance to visit to slow down the pace for a short while. This way you get the best of both worlds; a night on the town and a day out with nature. Sadly, because I was in Las Vegas to work that was all I had – a day, and I made it well worth my while. The pictures I will provide do not do either place justice based on the only available camera I had at the time, but maybe you can imagine the same view in deeper, richer hues.. Keep in mind you could do this in reverse. Make your stay out in nature and take excursions into the city.

So on my day off, I started my day early and headed 35 miles Northwest of the city to Mt. Charleston. According to Wikipedia – “Charleston Peak is at 11,916 ft. and is the highest mountain in both the Spring Mountains and Clark County, Nevada. It provides both hiking trails and ski area”. On my way up, I decided to bypass The Resort on Mt Charleston, which you can check out by clicking on the link – https://www.mtcharlestonresort.com/?campaign=yahoo, and instead continued my trek upward to 7,717 ft. to have breakfast at the Mt. Charleston Lodge. If you wish to check that out here is a link – www.mtcharlestonlodge.com. There are some small cabins to stay in adjacent to the Mt. Charleston Lodge owned by a different proprietor. Snapping a few pictures from here I could only imagine what it would be like in winter, snugly warm in the cabin, looking out at the majestic snow-covered mountains.

About 3 hours after my arrival and taking in the sites and breakfast, I began my trek downward and toward another beautiful location about 30 miles west of Las Vegas called Red Rock Canyon. You can check it out here – www.redrockcanyonlv.org. Among other things, this website tells you about the features “a one-way 13 mile scenic drive, hiking and trails, plants and wildlife, geology, camping, and more”. It was 52 miles and roughly 1-1/2 hours between the two destinations and I still had plenty of time to enjoy the canyon and make it back to my hotel before dark.

I decided to take the 13 mile scenic drive and exited my vehicle at every stopping point on the drive to do a little walking in the canyon, sure to keep my eyes peeled for rattlesnakes and scorpions. Partly, because I love wildlife and love to see it in its natural environment and partly for my own safety. Lucky me or unlucky me, as far as the wildlife is concerned, still undecided, only thing I caught was some really spectacular views. As you can witness here:

Though these were my two choices in the limited free time I had to look around, there are many others you can take excursions to on your next visit to Las Vegas. Just to name a few; Hoover Dam – Hoover Dam – is 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Lake Mead – www.nps.gov/lake – is 26 miles east of Las Vegas, and Valley Of Fire State Park – http://www.valley-of-fire.com/ is 50 some odd miles northeast of Las Vegas.

So the next time you are in Las Vegas and have some time to roam, keep these gems in mind, or add your own. Either way it goes I hope you enjoy adding some busy to your calm or calm to your busy, just remember to try to keep the balance.

It’s all about cars…

As Texas continues to recover from Hurricane Harvey, and Florida from Hurricane Irma, a conversation arose in my household about the vehicles that were completely flooded in both storms. I live with someone who has firsthand knowledge of what happens to vehicles when events like these happen. So in days to come, if purchasing a vehicle, or parts, it would be a good idea to make sure you do your homework.

The conversation began as I asked what happens in an event like this. The first part of the response was it depends on whether or not the vehicle was insured. I found out that if the vehicle was not insured, the owner can do with it what he or she likes, including selling it. The right thing for these people to do, would be to let the purchaser know that the vehicle has been flooded. Sadly, not everyone does what is right. So it is best to always know the history of any vehicle you buy.  Unless of course, you are a mechanic and don’t mind a rebuild.

Second part, if the vehicle was insured, than like any vehicle in an accident the process begins with an adjuster. This adjuster verifies the vehicle and checks for damage or declares it a total loss. Total losses are sent to an auction facility where they prepare the vehicle for auction. Vehicles go to the auction block after the claims are processed and title is received. At the auction, vehicles are bought by salvage yards, used car dealers, exporters, metal recyclers, and yes possibly even individuals. Vehicles coming through this process are supposed to be sold as is with notification of flooding. It is against the law to not notify the buyer. Vehicles do not normally go to the crusher until all useful parts have been pulled. I found this whole process interesting and thought maybe you would too. Hence why I am passing it on.

Learning about this whole process had me questioning my knowledge of vehicles. I have had some fortune in this area. I grew up with a brother that could take anything apart and put it back together. He and I worked on my first vehicle together quite often. He taught me how to check my distributor, gap a spark plug, change my distributor cap, plugs, and plug wires. He also taught me how to check my timing, check my radiator and oil, how to change my oil and filters, how to change my tires and check the tread depth, and we even changed out the exhaust system on that thing. Fast forward to current time, I still have a car guy in my life. Thus, for a number of years I have had someone to do the work for me. And there in lies the problem. We get so caught up in life that we allow others to do things for us when they have the ability and then we forget how to do any of it ourselves.

With that said, because I have not had the hands on experience for a number of years, I began to try to take refresher courses I’ll call them. So in recent years, anytime he has said “do you want to go to the car show?”  well yes of course is my reply. Going to these shows allows me to learn a little about motor sizes, horsepower, automatic transmissions, manual transmissions, nitrous oxide, paint jobs, tire sizes, rims, and so on and so on. He may have just gone there to look, but I am full of questions. What year is that one? What size motor is that? Why would you put a scoop on a vehicle like that? How does the hydraulics work? By the end, I am sure he regrets inviting me. At the last show I got to eye my dream car – a 1965 Mustang fastback. Now that dream may not have come true, but I will not complain as we do have a 1966 Mustang – 2 door coupe – hardtop – 289 – v8 – 4 barrel – with 3 on the floor and she is sometimes more vehicle than I can handle.

So if any of you out there are like me, out of practice, or you just do not have time, or you just are not interested in vehicles, I think if you are going to drive one, maybe you should try to make the time and just learn a few basics. As a driver, and a female, who has been stranded at least once when my clutch went out, I thought it advantageous to at least know how to maintain my vehicle if nothing else. So I thought I’d pass on some advice; If you learn nothing else about your vehicle, I hope you will at least look into learning how to do the following: Check your air filter, check your fuel filter, check and change your oil, know how to add antifreeze, check transmission fluid, check your windshield wipers and wiper fluid, check your headlights & tail lights, check your brakes, check and change a tire, and maintain a spare tire. We never know whats out there, or when we may get a lemon, but if we at least know a little, maybe just maybe, we won’t get stranded on the side of the road. Oh and by the way it never hurts to know a good mechanic if you are not one.

So mechanic or not, you know I always invite you along for the ride, and this time I hope you will heed my advice or even better leave some for me and every one else if you have advice to give. If no advice, maybe you will tell us about your dream car, or the one you own, or your dream bike for that matter, or the one you own. Either way, I hope one of these days you will join the conversation. If no one else is listening, at least you know I am..

Texas vs Harvey

So you may have noticed that it has been quite a few days since my last post. As an East Texan, my mind and heart have been on where I choose to call home. I’m assuming by now, everyone knows that we had a large storm, named Harvey, that dropped a lot of water on part of the state of Texas and some of Louisiana. In that, I find my heart breaking along with all other Texans and many Americans for lives lost here. But my heart also feels gratitude and pride as we watch and become part of neighbors helping neighbors, Texans helping Texans, Americans helping Americans, or just plain humans helping humans.

Even before the storm, several people concerned for my safety reached out and got a hold of me. I let them all know I was okay and would remain that way. As the sun appears, I was and am fortunate that I live far enough north that the effects of Harvey have been minimal for us here. Our neighbors down to the south, not so much. The concern I was shown prompted me to give you some idea of the size and scope of Texas and the storm damage.

According to the Rand McNally Road Atlas 2017, “The Texas land area is two hundred sixty-one thousand two hundred thirty-one (261,231) square miles and population for the state is twenty-five million one hundred forty-five thousand five hundred sixty-one (25,145,561)”. If you were to travel by car, it is approximately eight hundred twenty-three (823) miles from the Louisiana state line, near where I live, on the east side of Texas to the New Mexico state line, near El Paso, on the west end of Texas. It also is eight hundred eighty-six (886) miles from Brownsville, Texas which is nearly the southernmost point, bordering Mexico, to Texhoma, Texas which is the northernmost point, bordering the state of Oklahoma.

When we moved to Texas, we actually learned that the state is also broken down into regions. Most maps list seven regions, but some break those seven regions down to sub regions and show more. I like to keep it simple if possible, so I will only list the seven regions. They are as follows from west to east: Big Bend Country, South Texas Plains, Panhandle Plains, Hill Country, Prairies & Lakes, Piney Woods, & Gulf Coast. Harvey produced some flooding in the region I live, the Piney Woods. Most damage, however, was done in the Gulf Coast region.

This Gulf Coast region is approximately four hundred thirty-seven (437) miles by car from its northernmost point to its southernmost. Unfortunately, Harvey effected two hundred seventy-three (273) or more of those miles. Imagine if you would, if you live on either coast, that two hundred seventy-three (273) is the amount of miles from Huntington Beach, California to Las Vegas Nevada or Boston, Massachusetts to Syracuse, New York. The Gulf Coast region is also home to the largest city in the state of Texas; Houston. Houston’s population alone is approximately two million one hundred thousand (2,100,000) people. But if you consider Harvey’s effect to the entire two hundred seventy-three (273) mile area, you are talking about a population of nearly six million (6,000,000) people sadly.

As my mind tries to digest all these numbers, I try to think of businesses, homes, animals, people, well just lives effected by this storm and possible rain coming. Then I realize we are all effected in some way or another. As with any and all crisis, problems, obstacles, etc. we are all always effected. Sometimes we just cannot see that fact. Sometimes it takes a big storm to rise us to the occasion and to remind us of who we want to be, who we can be, and who we are. In those moments or times if we think we have nothing to offer, please keep in mind that is not the truth. For if the only thing each one of us has to offer is our empathy and/or sympathy, than that is truly a gift, not only worth offering, but surely worth accepting or receiving.

Texas Gulf Coast, like every other place, will heal in time. It may take a very long time, but we will re-access and rebuild. And maybe the lesson that is to be learned, in this storm and all storms, is that we will always continue to need each other and we will always need to be there for each other in spirit and otherwise. So I say thank you to Texas, America, and the world for showing up in the fury of the storm and staying beyond. May we endure this and all other storms together.

I always ask you to leave your thoughts on my posts, and on this post I will do no different. So if you have something to contribute and say please do so.. Texas does want to know you are there..

Kudos For A Job Well Done..

Those of us that choose to live rural or own a home know that our work is never done.  There is always something to update or repair, lawns to mow, trees to trim, etc. We keep a never-ending to do list and try to cross off as many things as we can. This is a post not only about us, but about work, the men and women that do it, and the celebration when it is complete.

I will begin with a story that starts several weeks ago when we started phase one of a multi-phase job. We had a tree approximately forty-five to fifty feet tall that needed to be taken down. So I on a tractor and another with chainsaw in hand took to completing our task. With a little ingenuity We laid that tree precisely where we wanted it and began cutting it in large lengths. Then we hauled the large pieces to an area in preparation for phase two and smaller unusable pieces to an area for destruction. Phase two happened on a couple different days that I did not partake in. It consisted of sawing those large pieces into smaller, more manageable pieces for splitting. Phase three began at seventy-three degrees in the morning hours a day or so ago. It was the splitting, loading, unloading, and stacking phase. For those that might not know wood gets stacked in piles and left to cure for about a year before it is dry enough for use. So four or five hours later at ninety degrees (heat index of one hundred and two), phase three was complete. A little tired and definitely hot, I stood there looking at the stacked pile feeling a sense of accomplishment, a sense of self-satisfaction for a job well done. A much-needed rest followed before trying to tackle the next task.

So if you, like me, have put your time and effort into completing a task at hand today, whether or not you were paid for it, step back and pat yourself on the back. Take a deep breath and feel that same feeling of self-satisfaction for your job well done. It is time that we celebrate those moments in ourselves and in each other. And as we celebrate, a few things that maybe we can keep in mind as we do so are to follow:

First, that there is no job or task that is too small for us to feel that sense of accomplishment. As a matter of fact a friend of mine just reminded me of this. He mentioned to me that there had been an event at which one of the speakers spoke about accomplishing tasks. With a little research, I found that the speaker was Admiral McRaven, a navy seal. The admiral spoke at the University of Texas at Austin’s graduation commencement in 2014. Here is an excerpt from his speech: “If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another.” Even if that task, making your bed, is the only task you did today, take pride in the fact that you accomplished something and imagine what tomorrow could bring if you add in more. And the days full of task accomplishments are ones for all of us to relish in and aim to repeat.

Second, it matters not the job you do, whether it be sending a rocket to the moon or cleaning public toilets, it matters that you do that job with care and integrity. A long time ago I had a dish washing job and one of the kitchen staff did not show up for work. The chef asked me to step in and help. That day she taught me a valuable lesson. She told me “do not put anything on the plate that you would not want to put in your mouth and eat.” I have never forgotten those words and have tried to apply them in my work situations since. Over the years I have had to train other staff members and have tried to pass on this same valuable lesson. I tell them what I was told and how I have incorporated it into every job I have ever had. Beginning with, if you wouldn’t want to eat off a dirty plate, then make sure that you clean every plate well. Right up to, if you wouldn’t want to sit on a dirty toilet, then make sure it is clean before and after you use it. Luckily, those are all jobs in the past, but I think you understand my point.

Lastly, as we go about our busy day, we should not fail to recognize a job well done and thank the person who did it. While some may not need this recognition from us as their work ethic allows them to be self-satisfied, others might need the affirmation that they have done a good job before they can recognize it in themselves. Either way it always warms the heart when we are thanked for our efforts and feel appreciated. So lest we forget what it feels like when we are appreciated, maybe we can pass that feeling on to others who may need it in their daily grind. Here is hoping someone thanks you today and maybe today you will tell us all what task you completed that filled you with pride. That way we can all appreciate a job well done and celebrate it.