Listen to a Cancer Patient

The project:
Take time to compliment a cancer patient on the regrowth of her hair, and to listen to her talk about the latest in her treatment.

Time:
30 minutes

Why bother?
I met this woman about three weeks ago, the day before she was to go in for a double mastectomy. Family history has given me some lessons in what comes along with this surgery and related treatment. Today, while passing by her place, I stopped in to check on her. She greeted me on the porch, without her wig. I quickly noted with excitement the new hair that was adorning her previously BALD, bald, BALD head. She was as pleased as she could be that someone noticed, but surprised that I did, being so new on the scene.

Then we sat on the porch and visited, first about her latest, then moving on to the more relaxing themes of kids and neighbors, animals and the fair.

Worth it?
Yes!

Support Independent Business

The project:
Choose locally owned businesses over massive chains for today's business.

Time:
Same as if I'd ventured into the mega brands.

Why bother?
Mega stores, chains, they come and go. When they come, the kill off local shops that, in so many cases, have been here for decades, even generations. When they go, they leave us nothing. Plus, have you ever thought about just how ridiculous it might be to be purchasing produce shipped by planes, trains and automobiles from half way around the globe when we're growing them RIGHT HERE? HOW can it be less expensive?! (I know - cheap labor. But still...)

I do believe in the free market society, but little shops that offer customer service and quality goods just don't seem to be able to survive quite as well in a world that values rock-bottom prices over any sort of quality, let alone customer service. By supporting our locals, perhaps they'll survive long enough to see the chains give way to locals who value service and quality over saving a dime.

Worth it?
Yes.

Photo courtesy Dave Olson under Creative Commons License.

Water Horses

The project:
Water a plethora of horses after our afternoon ride.

Time:
15 minutes

Why bother?
While I put away the horse, I noticed its water was low. Rather than just water our horse and move on, I opted to check the other horses' waters. Some were low, so I filled them, too.

Worth it?
Sure! It's not a big deal - we had time - and the horses need water. They really don't care WHO waters them. And someone else would have gotten to it, but maybe I saved that "someone else" some time.

Photo courtesy Michelle under Creative Commons License.