Ring- ring-a -ling!

Today was my annual 'Red Kettle' event. The Retired Teachers' Association volunteers two people[at a time] for a two hour shift , and today it was at our local mall. It has become a yearly tradition to schedule a spot with 'Holy Communion Helen'[ my mom's nickname for her], and it is actually a good time. Helen and I taught together, and we both can be a bit entertaining without trying. After my first stint a couple of years ago where I froze while realizing that I had some difficulty standing for two hours, I got smarter. So now I bring my [turquoise] walker that doubles as a seat and have 'way more fun' sitting through the experience as we joke and talk and thank people for their donations. It was a pleasant surprise to see how many shoppers shared their change as well as paper money with The Salvation Army's cause. Maybe the economy has hit close to home, and people are willing to help out those who are in more dire straits. Some have no job, no health care, no reason to be particularly hopeful that better times are in their future... All the while listening to some [???] expressing that all they really need to do is to 'pull themselves up by their bootstraps' ! It's just not as easy as that.

On a lighter note, we decided to move inside the double doors because two hours seem much longer when you are in the wind and/or chilly outdoors. Helen took my bag of ' donated books' to the exact location in the mall that collects them all year long for a GIANT book fare in July. And when she came back...she acted surprised that there was a box of Gertrude Hawk Peanut Butter Smidgies in her hand!! They must have flown into her hands when she passed the store. Wahoo! I went to the Pepsi machine and got us each a drink. When did it go up to $1.25 for a soda??? Imagine the mixed message to our body...the best in chocolates [ a gazillion calories...actually 4 pieces were 245 calories] and a diet-Pepsi chaser. Helen was tossing the bell into the air and trying to catch it by the handle. To which I said, "Hey oh Science Guru!! There must be a scientific reason it isn't happening very often."

And she began explaining, " Actually, the bell's bottom is..."

"Huh? [I'm laughing] :You decide how to explain that the bell went sailing through the double doors!!!" Imagine the headline: Retired Teachers Shatter Mall Doors as they Red Kettle Sit!!

We had many, many laughs...quite often recalling the funnier experiences that we had as teammates over the years. It was a good two hours. And people put dollar bills in the Red Kettle! It has to make me think that maybe they were counting their blessings as they made a donation for those more in need of basic life help.

So when you pass those annoying [Helen] bell ringers, think of me [ not as heavy handed with my bell] and be a part of those who are helping others who could certainly use it!!

And the Gertrude Hawk chocolate...oh yeah...I would recommend it!! Mmm-mm!