Why I Volunteer

I volunteer a few hours at the Wheelchair Recycling center, every month. While there, I think about my father, whose memory inspired me to choose that particular volunteer opportunity.

My dad was a paraplegic. But, before you say "Aw, that's sad..." let me tell you that he was the strongest, most "able" man I've ever known. He was successful in business, and an avid sportsman. But, what I loved most about him was his desire to help those less fortunate than himself. I remember one day he received a telephone call from someone searching for a chairlift. People called him often about equipment, as he had a lot of sources. This lift was needed for an elderly woman who had no way to pay for one. We had one on our basement stairs, there in case of tornado...literally the only thing my dad was afraid of. But, the next day, I helped him take it down and drive 100 miles to install it. He wouldn't take any money for it and I don't think I've ever seen such gratitude as I did on that woman's face. I think I was about 11 years old, at the time. That was just one of so many acts of kindness I grew up witnessing.

This is where I learned compassion and the true spirit of giving...and this is what I want to pass on to as many people as possible.

It was the first day it didn't rain, in four days. I was beginning to worry that I wouldn't be able to get out, before the leaves were off the trees. But, Joe and I went out for a long walk and I didn't want to come back in! I love Autumn. If I could follow it from place to place, I probably would...

I saw this lovely Nuthatch, playing around the bottom of a tree.

Here is one view, along the road...

...and this sweet mare acted like she hadn't had visitors in days, she was so happy to see us...prancing up and down along the fence line.


It was so great to be out, finally. I hope there are a few more days like this, before it gets cold. A neighbor told me where to go to photograph wild turkeys and I want a chance to get there!

About Children...

*This entry was actually written on May. 20th, 2009. I'm posting it here, so you can learn a little more about me.

I guess I have to give a little background information, before I can really tell this story. So, here goes...

My only child died in infancy. As happens to a lot of people living with that grief, my marriage soon after fell apart. I dropped out of college....and things just went down hill from there. After hitting total rock bottom, I found this house. It's 150 years old on 3 acres of land, in an unincorporated farming community.

The properties directly attached to mine are all between 1 and 3 acres. I supposed they were once a farm, that's now broken up. But, everyone makes use of what they have. There are roaming chickens (who, by the way, like to lay eggs in my driveway...) and people are often giving away vegetables from their gardens. Most everyone here is willing to lend a hand where needed.

There is one family with two school aged children. Their property touches mine just on one corner and I tend to stay clear of it. They like their lawn to be perfectly manicured and they have it sprayed for weeds. I'm sure they don't like my tendency to plant things randomly and to leave parts of my property growing wild...but, this is why I chose to live in the country. So, I could live a more natural life. I'm not sure why they chose to live out here.

Not long ago, my niece and her children lived with me. They didn't stay long, but while they were here, I had bought a trampoline and a basketball hoop and some other outdoor toys for the boys. They are still here and mainly unused. Though, I will admit to using the trampoline, at times. Who can resist bouncing?

Wow...this is a lot longer than I intended...oh well...I'll keep going.

Ok, now to the actual story. Yesterday, the two children from next door stopped by, while I was outside working. They asked me if it would be alright for them to use the trampoline, some time. I told them that it was, if I was outside to keep an eye on them and if they had permission from their parents. I have large trees surrounding my house, so unless someone actually walks up the drive, they don't get a good look around. So, they started looking around. At the time, I was working on a recycling station project for the shed. I'm making it out of...garbage. I make a lot of things out of garbage. The girl (Haley) asked me what I was doing. When I told her, she thought for a minute and then asked me why I didn't just buy one. My answer was, "why buy one, when I have all this perfectly good material right here and it's free?" She then asked me if I was poor. I told her that I wasn't.

I actually have two jobs. I'm an antique appraiser for an auction house, which only takes me away from home, four days a month...and on holidays I am the baker for a catering service. I am also a certified braille transcriber and copy childrens books into braille, using slate and stylus. Then, I have my newer hobbies of nature photography and garbage art...which I hope will turn into more than hobbies in time. Oh, and if I can get all that together, I want to learn piano tuning. My piano tuner died and there is no one who can take over his business. My piano NEEDS tuning, pretty badly.

Anyway, I walked around with the two of them for awhile. I showed them all the birds' nests in the trees...a robin, grackle, mourning dove and oriole all have nests that I know of. There are probably more. I showed them the hidden area where I put out food and fresh clean water for all the wandering farm cats, near an old shed where they can go to get out of the weather. I showed them the new little trees I planted for Arbor Day. The brother (Ryan) finally spoke up and said that they had been given trees for Arbor Day, at school, but their mother said there was no place to put them. They didn't "fit in." I said that they could plant them here, if they still had them. They're going to bring them over, this afternoon and we're going to randomly plant them....