Off for 2 weeks

Hi all: I will not be posting for the next couple of weeks. I'm recovering from surgery for a partial retinal detachment. I can't read or use a computer (my husband is typing this for me).

See you in September!

After mowing for 12 hours, what's one more lawn?

James Johnston was on his way home after mowing lawns for twelve hours. He spotted an older man mowing a large lawn with a push mower. Johnston turned his truck around and offered to help the stranger. Of course, the man agreed, and sat resting his head on his wife's shoulder.

With his professional-sized equipment, Johnston finished the lawn in 15 minutes. He waved to the couple to indicate he was finished, but was stopped by the man's wife. She thanked Johnston profusely for the help. It seems their riding mower had broken down weeks ago, and they didn't have the money to fix it. Her husband had been using the push mower ever since.

Johnston couldn't stop thinking about the elderly couple's situation. He started a GoFundMe page with a goal of $1000 to buy them a riding lawnmower. As of this writing, over $3000 has been raised.

Quotes from the Founding Fathers

I recently took in the traveling National Archives exhibit on the Bill of Rights on its stop at the Lancaster Historical Society. A fascinating exhibit, highly recommended by the way. While there, I picked up a booklet on the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the other Amendments. I have been perusing the booklet ever since.

I'm particularly struck by a number of quotes regarding the Constitution and its Bill of Rights. At politically divisive times like these, the Founding Fathers' words might remind us of who we Americans are supposed to be. I share them here as food for thought.

Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters. - Benjamin Franklin

We in America do not have government by the majority - we have government by the majority who participate... All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. - Thomas Jefferson

Say whether peace is best preserved by giving energy to the government or information to the people. This last is the most certain and legitimate engine of government. Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty. - Thomas Jefferson  

...the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions... There are men in all ages... who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be kind masters, but they mean to be masters... They think there need be but little restraint upon themselves... - Daniel Webster 

The italics are not mine, the quotes were printed that way in the National Archives
booklet. I do not know how those words were emphasized in the original writings.

Nail salon refuses a woman with cerebral palsy, so Walmart employees pamper her

Angela Peters of Burton, Michigan is an artist and poet. She also has cerebral palsy. A familiar face at the Burton Walmart, Peters drove her power wheelchair into the nail salon within the store last week. The salon refused to do her nails because she "moved too much," their description of her movement disorder.

The scene was witnessed by horrified Walmart cashier Tasia Smith. She spread the word among other Walmart employees, including Ebony Harris who works at the Subway within Walmart. Harris offered to do the woman's nails herself. Other employees helped out by buying the nail polish and other supplies. Peters chose her colors, and Harris got to work. 

Tasia Smith captured the scene and shared it on Facebook. Harris later said, “She moved her hands a little bit and she kept saying she was sorry. And, I told her don’t say that. I said you’re fine.” Harris doesn't want bad publicity for the nail salon, but agreed to share her kindness because she wants others to do the same. "She wants to look pretty," she said of Peters, "so why can't she?"

As for Peters, she is delighted with her manicure. Smith, Peters, and Harris have already lined up a dinner together to cement their newfound friendship. 

Grocery store clerk allows man with autism to help him stock shelves

Jordan Taylor was just doing his job at Rouses Market in Baton Rouge, LA, stocking shelves and cooler cases. He noticed a man and his teenage son, and as he later told a reporter, "Something in the back of my mind was just like, 'Ask if he wants to help you.'" Taylor did as his heart directed, and the teen accepted the offer to help stock the cooler while his father and sister videotaped.

Why? Because the teen, Jack Ryan, is autistic. Interaction of this type is difficult for him. But with Taylor's gentle instruction, Jack Ryan stocked the cooler case for 30 minutes, which his dad Ed calls "a miracle." 

Ed asked Taylor what plans he had for the future. Taylor shared his hope to become a teacher, and Jack Ryan's sister Delaney promptly set up a GoFundMe page. In just one day, over $92,000 has been pledged to offset Taylor's future college expenses. 

And what might be the best outcome of all - Rouses Market has offered Jack Ryan a job stocking shelves.