Friday, November 29, 2013

SHIRLEY TEMPLE TIME By Yvonne

 



            A neighbor of mine now prefers drinking Shirley Temples. I like a dry Shirley Temple myself every now and then. It’s very refreshing and it’s booze free. (Click on link)
My neighbor switched to Shirley Temples for health reasons. Of course, some can’t take this for an answer so they begin to dig for information. They think there has to be something other than her health behind this switch. She finds it annoying. It is, imagine someone giving you the third degree when all you want is to enjoy your beverage of choice in peace.
             So get on the good ship and stop asking so many unnecessary questions.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Petitetiquette: Salt and Pepper

Salt and pepper should be passed as husband and wife and not in the air. Please don't use a fork as the filmmaker did.


Sunday, November 3, 2013

BEGGING FOR KINDNESS By Yvonne

            
There is a very nice man in a wheelchair usually on Madison near 59th. He greets people with the biggest smile, he gets to know you, “How’s your sister?”  He sells papers and there’s a cup in his lap.  We’ve spoken for years and I’ve never put a dime in it. I prefer to have a conversation and buy a paper. I know he does too.
            “Hey, golden girls,” a guy sitting on a sidewalk yelled at my friends and me one afternoon. “Y’all look good for your age.” He had decided that we were looking good for our ages that he did not know.  It didn’t matter that he looked horrible.  He was rude and he knew it as he tried to walk back from his comment. We agreed he needed to sharpen his game if he wanted a full cup. Not everyone in need is like that.
            Sometimes giving is organic and before you know it you’re digging for coins. Don’t just throw it into the cup and keep on walking. Make eye contact and acknowledge their gratefulness. Most express thankfulness more than those who don’t need a dime. Give unconditionally, no need to tell them how you think they should spend it. And whatever you do, don’t give out of pity, to do that is to look down on someone.  I’ve seen people send their children over to give, personally, something about that bothers me. I think it’s grown up’s work or at least someone of an age who understands the act of giving.
            There are a whole lot of people asking these days for what you have. If you choose to give, think about how you would like to receive from a perfect stranger.