"Not every day will be good; but there will be some good in every day."

I'm remembering the recent story of the family out for dinner, saw someone looking a bit down, invited him to sit with them, he demurred, but thanked them for their kindness as he was leaving ...and paid for their dinner. Sometimes (often?) a kindness offered begets others I talked to a few in the grocery store(s) just now, there were some smiles, not much more or less a shrug of the shoulders. If we can put a smile on the face of someone, it often adds joy to the day. Usually when I make that comment following a smile, people agree. ole joyful

When I was a child, one of my grandma's sayings was, "Waste not - want not". Dad's mom, that is, who came to live with us just after my Mom got sick (was in psych hosp. from when I was not quite 6, couple of younger brothers) and Grandpa died, close to the same time. They'd moved in with Grandma's sister in her small house in the village nearby after Dad and Mom took over the farm. She'd never married, took on odd jobs as opportunity presented, took care of her brother, who'd had polio as a child, so it must have been thin living, for them. And crowded, when Grandpa and Grandma moved in. ole joyful

A few weeks ago I thought of a humorous message to offer to strangers in public. I tried it when near a line of folks waiting to check out at a small convenience store in my local village. I asked in a voice a bit louder than usual, "Do you know one of the good things about masks that no one ever tells you about?". When someone asked, "What is that?", I replied, "Nobody can see the wrinkles!". There was some laughter and some smiles. I've tried it several times since, usually in the grocery store, sometimes swinging an arm toward them, with open hand outstretched, or sometimes doing a little jump up from the floor. Usually there's some laughter and smiles, and often someone offers a comment. A few have said, "That's a good one! I'm going to use that." "Go for it - it isn't copyrighted". Sometimes a short conversation ensues. A simple stress reliever during a time that's been difficult for many. I'm more fortunate than many: have been on government pension for 25 years, so have not been sweating blood over discontined paycheque, and have lived alone for over 40 years, so have become rather used to that. Can come here and squawk at you folks when I feel pressured: thanks for putting up with that. ole joyfuelled