It takes practice to develop the strength to confront problems and fears calmly and effectively; panic and worry do not work. Being calm requires fresh, thoughtful, and solid thinking.
The wise men and women say this is why I practice peacefulness in a chaotic and divided world.
When I learn to stop my mind from racing ahead, I become calmer, and my mind becomes more apparent, like clear water after the mud has settled.
I like the idea of settling, and I practice every day.
Sarah’s request now focuses on warm, easy-to-make foods that will please the children and make the busy adults happy.
The pantry urgently needs Ravioli and Brownie Fudge Mix, which is simple and inexpensive. Please help if you can
Wish List Browsing: Many donors choose to browse the Cambridge Pantry Wish Lists, where urgently needed and unavailable items are constantly listed and updated.
Accessing the Pantry Wish List is easy and convenient. You can browse it day or night, whenever works best for you, by clicking on the links here or the “Cambridge food bank” button at the bottom of every blog post.
Thank you; your generosity and kindness are truly appreciated, and you are making a real difference in the lives of those in our community who need it most.
Today’s requests are simple and inexpensive.
I hope we get them back on the shelves; they are all items not available to the pantry but have been repeatedly requested by the parents of the pantry families and their children.
Duncan Hines Brownie Mix, Fudge, 18.3.
Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli, 15 Oz, Pack of 4, $4.48.
This morning had a Christmas look and feel; the country needs a Christmas feel this year. It was bitter cold, but I made it out in my bathroom to capture what I think of as the Christmas sun. Come along. I’m figuring out how to capture the birds.
We bought this chandelier in an antique shop five or six years ago; it is magical when the morning sun shines, as it did this morning. It sits on the dining room table.
The landscape in the cold is breathtaking when there is frost.
It was meant to be a group photo I was taking of the volunteers at the Cambridge Food Pantry to honor Giving Tuesday. Fate intervened. A massive truckload of food had just been pulled in from the New York Food Bank, and most volunteers who usually help unload, unpack, and fill the shelves and store couldn’t make it.
Maria, who volunteers every Tuesday afternoon when the food bank food comes in, rushed to help, and when I showed up, everyone was too busy to stop and pose for a photo.
Pantry volunteering is not simple or easy, and I usually confine my support to pontificating and asking for help. I am 77; I’m entitled to some exceptions. But I couldn’t take my photos, walk out, and get in the car, leaving the volunteers—Maria among them—stuck.
I helped out as best I could.
It took a full three hours to get everything sorted. I made it through two hours before my back and legs gave out, and I fled. I was beyond tired while several women as old or older than me were still going, slower but steadier.
Since I couldn’t take pictures for my Tuesday Giving non-profit donation group, I took some photos for my new Cambridge Pantry Art post column, then came home and napped. My wife, Tarzana, a/k/a Hera, the goddess of the night and killer of demons, was zipping everywhere, opening boxes, sorting the contents and getting them to the right places.
She has fantastic energy. I was happy to be helpful on this day as I love the pantry’s work and role. When I got home, I texted this photo to Sarah and told her I hoped she enjoyed it, as I doubt it will ever be seen again. Happy Giving Tuesday! Please donate to the non-profit of your choice. Mine is the Cambridge Food Pantry.
Great People working for a great cause.
We unpacked the boxes, then carted them into storage rooms and some onto the shelves.
Thanks so much for sending the first canned vegetables to the pantry. It was Thanksgiving Day, and Amazon software crashed, but you still managed to get some veggie cans out. These are the heroic Thanksgiving Day cans who got through the chaos. Thank you. More are coming. It was much appreciated, and Sarah says many more veggie cans are on the way—a million chances. Doing good is the answer.
I was at the Cambridge Food Pantry this afternoon; Maria and I were helping deal with a truckload of food but a shortage of volunteers. It was hard work, at least for me, and when I came home, I pulled into the town florist, walked up to Sue, and said, “I need a blue flower.” It just felt like something I needed to photograph, I could picture it.
I don’t know why I picked blue, but Sue, who is used to me, pulled out two beautiful flower stems. I was a bit strained from hauling food around and had a lot of work to do at home. Moving food at the pantry is not something I usually get to do.
When I got home, I was exhausted, so I took the blue slowers out onto the back porch while there was still light and took these pictures. This instantly made me feel calm, free of stress, and ready to focus on my photographs and Pantry Art.
Was it the blue flower that changed my mood? I think so. This was just the photo series I wanted to shoot. I’m going to meditate and read.
I looked up Karen Heller’s “Little Book Of Color.” when I was finished, I looked up “Blue:”
“Positive effects using the right tone for you. Light blue creates feelings of calm and serenity. It can aid in reducing mental stress and relieving tension…Dark Blue for focus and concentration. Best avoided in kitchen and dining areas – dark blue can aid in suppressing the appetite. Avoid in spaces that already feel cold.”
