The residents were calling out for fresh flowers for the dining tables yesterday, and I couldn’t help noticing that Tania and the other aides were planting with their hands and had no tools.
This morning, I went to Country Power Products (where all the real farmers go, they wouldn’t be caught dead at Tractor Supply).
Heidi and Casey had 12 bouquets ready for the tables at a discounted price (thanks), and I have to say John Rieger’s Country Power is the nicest place I’ve ever shopped in.
I couldn’t do the flower program without them, and the aides said it had had an enormous and positive impact on the residents. I plan on keeping it going with the help of the Army of Good.
Everyone at Country is accommodating and competent, and pleasant to be around. We have fun. I feel I’ve gone back in time when I go there.
(Heidi behind her floral counter.)
I look for excuses to go, I realized.
It’s true; doing good feels good. I’m eager to get into the swing of things at the Mansion and spend more time with the refugee children. The Ukraine and Afghanistan refugee children will be in the same school as the Bishop Maginn refugees in the fall.
(Mansion aides Alhanna and Tania help unload the flowers and bring them inside.)
I’m eager to meet them and help them when and if possible.
I asked if Zinnia could come in, and they said, of course, and she explored the place, greeted everyone, and fell in love with Heidi and Casey. She’s welcome any time.
John also took me back to find the spaces and shovel I wanted to get for the aides, and he showed me a bunch of baby turkeys for sale.
(Turkeys at Country Power in Greenwich.)
I know what you mean by ‘not going to Tractor Supply’ but we need to remember that these places employ local people who depend on a weekly paycheck. I have the same trouble with many places and would rather shop at my local hardware store than at Home Depot. (I’d rather shop at any locally owned store, for that matter) but the problem is …. local people are employed by corporate giants and I know they need jobs, too. (I do draw the line at WalMart and will never grace that particular store’s door.) PS My locally owned feed store is the best!!!
It’s really impossible to draw a coherent round, we all have to do what we have to do…there are real people working everywhere..
I love the look of the blog and I especially love all the photos you are taking with your several cameras. Following your learning experience with the Leicas is educational and inspiring. Keep it up.