It was a sweet day: I went to a lovely lunch for our friend Alfreda, bought two Dahlias to plant in my garden bed in a few weeks, and sold a book I thought should be sold. I will soon sign off on it.

I’ve decided not to have my ears checked or explore a hearing aid; I like what a good friend my age told me: “I don’t need a hearing aid. If I can’t hear somebody, I ask them to speak up, and they do.” Sounds good.

I hear things clearly and don’t need another doctor or more expensive stuff in my life. Maria said we listened to and hear each other just fine. Okay, by me. Another anxiety purchase blocked.

I look forward to visiting the Cambridge Food Pantry this week, volunteering for the growing backpack program, and taking pictures.

One woman offered to buy actual backpacks for all the children who get one; we explained that the program’s idea is to spare the kids embarrassment from obviously receiving food their families can’t afford.

(I’ve been doing this for a while but I never know what will catch people’s eyes.)

The other reason is that no single backpack can handle all the food on one of those backpacks – milk cartons, bottles, cereal boxes, and apples – on top of sweaters, jackets, and school books.

Buying all those backpacks would cost a fortune; the same money would feed many families for weeks.

My policy is to ask what food is needed and try to get as much of it as possible. I prefer to focus.

I appreciate the goodwill of people who want to help, but what the pantry calls backpacks could not be less interesting to me. One woman wrote several messages to tell me she thought it was weird. Maybe I’m the weird one.

I am not on the food pantry board, nor have I been asked for advice on running the program. I don’t do that for the Mansion, the refugee kids, or Sue Silverstein’s art program.

And I don’t want to make work for volunteers who work long hours for no pay.

We do the best that we can for as long as we can.

For me, it’s all about the food—small acts of great kindness. We did a wonderful and Godly job last week, and I appreciate your support.

Pssst: Think Mary Kitchen Hash Corned Beef Hash$18.88 For 8 Pack.

You made a lot of children happy. I hope we can keep doing it.

See you in the morning.

The portraits of a dahlia above and below were bought from Carol’s Corner, a crucial part of my flower plan. Thanks much to them for calling them to my attention.

Soul of a flower

Now I’m going to put my air phones on and listen to the new Taylor Swift album, The Tortured Poet’s Department, with my earphones on.