Loving thy neighbors

Back several years I offered to help readers of my article to grow some Stupice tomatoes, and I told them that most of them would be picking their first tomatoes by the end of May. Some would question this but you can if you will put forth the effort. Won't cost an arm and a leg either. Several took me up on this and several of them have become friends. One came up to our place a week or so ago for something we had for sale, but when he arrived he drug out a cooler with a little gift inside. It was a thoughtful gift. Probably not worth a lot in the long run, but it was very thoughtful.

It got me to thinking back when I was little and neighbors would visit neighbor. Many times when you went to visit a neighbor, it was unannounced so they weren't really expecting company. So Mom would take along some kind of sweet or snack. Two that I remember was Mom's chocolate chip cookies and her peanut butter cookies. Well make that three, because Mom also made a sugar cookie that was darn sure worth eating. All three were pretty good. So basically, when you got there, they'd make coffee and most everyone had milk, so we were set. The adults could drink the coffee and us kids could drink milk. We might dip our cookies in the coffee. Most of us kids didn't drink coffee. Hardly ever had pop. A simple act of kindness can make a difference.

When we were attending school in Wilmore, Kentucky, most of the students were flat broke. We made friends with a family in Nicklesville, so we would go visit and watch the "A-Team" and have popcorn. Didn't cost a lot, and we kept it simple. Our boys became friends with their girls. With the pressure of school and jobs and little finances, a night of TV and popcorn was a stress releaser. It was kind of like family helping family. There were times when we talked about eating a lot of government cheese sandwiches.

A month or two ago our youngest son and I both bought a pellet smoker, so I joined a Facebook site devoted to the users. I was reading a post from the site the other day and someone was complaining it took the maker of our smokers seven days to ship an item he had ordered. There was no patience or understanding but only condemnation. There was not even a hint of kindness. It was as if he was the center of his universe and everyone else was there to serve him. The smoker supplier might have been out of stock or maybe were super busy or whatever. Wouldn't have hurt to maybe have a little understanding.

Mom and Dad and Mick and I were in Ogallala back a bunch of years, maybe even 60 years ago. For some reason Mom and I were walking on the sidewalk on the east side of Spruce Street, when Mom showed me that the man always walked on the street side and the lady walked against the building. Mom said it was just being courteous. Same as holding the door for a lady. I still will hold the door if I can. Some women are appreciative and often thank me, but some act almost like they are offended. Some will stick their noses up and walk off. We as a society have lost that act of kindness and love and respect for those around us. Doesn't matter if you are young or old or a woman or even a minister, it doesn't matter today. Respect and kindness have kind of died.

What about a simple please and thank you? Kind of gotten away from our culture today. Seems like so many today expect the service so a please and thank you isn't necessary. Also seems like some today act and seem to feel better than the next person. Kind of like they don't sweat and get stinky. Some today probably need to do some sweating and do some actual physical work. I think an old-fashioned please and thank you would make a difference in our world today or at least make a difference in the life of many.

I guess I'm not at all surprised about the idiots who are opening the ice cream containers and licking on the ice cream. Or who knows all the other stupid things that are being done. It seems like we are living in a me-me-me society. Being our brother's keeper has almost died.

When we lived in Wilmore, it was in a two-story apartment complex so we had a bunch of neighbors. Each of the neighbors was different. I think there was like 12 different families living in the same apartment complex, and man we were all different and from all around the world. One family made some kind of smelly cabbage and fish concoction that had to kind of spoil. Didn't smell very good, but it was their thing. But honestly I can't remember anyone complaining. It was accepted as being OK. I didn't try it. Kind of doubt I could have gotten it down.

We go to a local restaurant, and I order crispy okra. I have the cook leave my okra in the fryer a little extra so it ends up being extra crispy. I don't know how many times I've commented on how good they taste. Marge and I fried some eggplant and green tomatoes the other night for supper, and we both commented on how good they taste. Be appreciative for what others do for you especially if it's family.

Growing up, Dad seemed to know everyone, so no matter where we went, Dad would end up visiting with someone. Dad knew the local butcher, so while Mom was getting a few groceries, Dad would visit the butcher. Or when we were going through Hyannis in the morning, Dad would stop and visit the bakery. Or when we were headed to some lake to do some fishing, Dad always had to stop and visit with the owners. It seemed like no matter how much of a rush Dad was in, he would take the time to be neighborly and kind to others. Kind of fool hardy today, but Dad didn't drive past someone having trouble along the road.

But then most everyone I knew back then was the same. There was always time for a cup of coffee and some visiting. The world today is in a rush headed for somewhere and who knows where. It's like we have all gotten on the merry-go-round of life, but honestly we aren't really getting nowhere.

Somewhere I read to "Love your neighbor as yourself." Might be good advice. Might also check out that being our brother's keeper.