How I Do Things | Sighs and Hallelujahs

3Jul/100

The Best Answers

Here were the best answers to the "Dumbest Question" that I posted previously:

Funniest Response
Let people know that at the beginning of history, shaking someone’s hand demonstrated that you held no weapon. Since most people are right handed and would hold a knife in that hand, we shake right hands. Let people know that you are concealing a weapon ... and refuse to shake hands. That's a powerful thing to hold over someone.

Best Potential for the Right Person
You should respond to the cute girls with, "Well, my friends plant a big wet one on me!" Try that and see how it goes.

For When I'm Feeling Violent
The next time you’re asked you need to pull a Zidane on them (head-butt them):

Most Helpful
"Sorry I can’t shake your hand, but I’m very pleased to meet you," delivered with a smile but a professional tone in your voice.

Thanks for the laughs and for the practical input, friends!

Filed under: Disability, How I do things No Comments

12May/102

A Warm Welcome Home

(Okay, I know everyone is awaiting some Italy photos. I have almost 2,000 of them to sort through, though. I downloaded them all to my computer today and will pick a few favorites within the next couple days and will post them. Until then, you just get a short, completely unrelated post!)

Today was my first full day back from Italy. After waking up uncharacteristically early due to the time change, I set out to unpack, do laundry, clean the house, get groceries, etc. All that unglamorous stuff that you tend to forget about when you're on vacation!

Late in the day I ventured out to an appointment, headed to the bank and stopped to get groceries. Unlike my normal route that takes me to the Queen Anne Trader Joe's, this evening's path had me headed to their Lynnwood location. After shopping and noticing the various very friendly people that kept offering to help me retrieve items from the shelves, I headed to check out.

After a brief, but fun conversation about Italy with the girl working at TJ's, she loaded my bags of groceries into my cart, said goodbye and then turned to help the next person in line. I headed to my car and began unloading.

To my surprise - just as I had placed the large container laundry detergent in my trunk - the same girl came running out to the car, grabbed a bag of groceries and said, "I wanted to come help, just because." She loaded the last couple bags, grabbed the cart, smiled at me graciously and ran back toward the store.

Let me just say to those of you who aren't sure quite what to do when encountered with the opportunity to help someone like me - "I wanted to come help, just because," is one of the best, most kind things you can offer. I was touched by her ability to help me without making me feeling incapable. And, it was a most spectacular welcome home.

Once again, well done Trader Joe's!

Tagged as: grocery shopping, Italy, offering help, Trader Joe's 2 Comments

4Apr/100

A Sparrow without a Song

A Sparrow without a Song
poem by Greg Buell

What would a sparrow be without a song?
Without its melodious warble?
Would we adore it still?
Or, would we refrain from singing its praises?

What good is a horn that is mute?
One that fails to blast forth,
that goes unnoticed?

A kangaroo without legs or a pouch,
a piano without strings,
a car without an engine.

Without its stripes,
would we recognize a zebra?
Would its beauty be lost?
Galloping, still, but not the same.

Salt void of flavor;
worthy of little,
but to be cast out and trodden upon.

A lamp without a bulb,
a plant without life,
a book without words.

The hummingbird gracefully flutters.
Its wings propel in ways unimaginable.
Take the air from under it, though,
and it falls flat.

Ever lose a CD?
An empty case plays no music,
it fails to inspire.

A drawer that does not open,
a lock that requires no key,
a table without a top.

This sparrow’s song is its independence.
Its ability to say, “I’ve got it.”
Relying on no one,
it sings loud for all to hear.

Proudly flaunting its stripes,
this zebra says to all, “Come, see, be amazed.”
Paint it white
and it will run and hide.

This hummingbird’s grace is not in its wings,
it is how it stays afloat in the strongest of winds.
How it dips and dives,
performing in order to acquire applause.

Mute my song, remove my stripes, clip my wings.
What shall I be then?

Tagged as: independence, song, sparrow No Comments

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