By Judy Barnet, Ag Columnist
I was working at the Endeavour Shop on Saturday when a customer wanted to buy a dozen mugs.
We do have a lot of mugs but they are not exactly in great demand so I was somewhat surprised.
The gentleman told me he bought these mugs on a regular basis and used them to pot up succulents which he then put out on the footpath to give away.
I was touched by his act of kindness and gave him some mugs that were very pretty but had small chips and were destined for landfill.
He also related that his act of kindness inspired one of his neighbours to do the same thing with herbs.
He said that at Easter he was also astounded to find a cup of Easter Eggs placed inside of his fence.
Acts of kindness like this are what makes the world a better place. Wouldn’t it be great that, if after reading this, even just one reader donated something they didn’t need – a book or a plant maybe – and dropped it off or put it out for someone in need!
Speaking of generosity, the Cancer Support Group in Stanthorpe are looking for second hand wheel chairs if anyone has one they no longer need.
The group of volunteers that run this group are amazing and an inspiration.
Acts of kindness don’t necessarily involve goods and chattels – even just a smile to someone who looks a bit down is an act of kindness.
My favourite one though is showing kindness and understanding to someone who is rude to you and turning their day around (hopefully).
It can be an overworked nurse in a busy hospital, a person in a government department or a shop keeper.
Trying to engage them in a chat and asking about their day or saying something funny can quite often bring a smile to their face and lighten their day.
My favourite act of kindness though used to be pulling up at the Gateway Bridge toll booth when I used to travel through many many years ago and paying the operator for the car behind me as well. It only involved a dollar or two but I like to think it made that person’s day a little bit lighter and, you never know, perhaps inspired them to an act of kindness one day as well.
I had guests booked into the cottage on Saturday night who were planning to attend a local night time event about half an hour away.
That evening as I drove home from work at the Endeavour Shop there was a lot of wildlife on the road and I hoped those guests had a decent car.
When I got home I asked Richie what sort of car they arrived in and was horrified when he said it was a Porsche!
I later heard them returning from the event and when I got up at first light I checked on the Porsche which fortunately was unscathed.
I had just walked back up from the bus when I heard the mickey birds making a racket and I could see they were all gathered about up near the hay feeder.
The guinea fowls also heard the noise and were coming from every direction up towards the feeder.
I am not sure what they were chasing, possibly a snake or a goanna, but whatever it was must have realised it was outnumbered and beat a hasty retreat and eventually the birds dispersed.
In recent weeks I have noticed increasing numbers of rabbits on the road as well as a few at home so I decided to add Dora to my arsenal of bunny destruction weapons.
Like most kelpies, Dora loves chasing things.
As she matures she no longer tries to chase ’roos.
She knows they are on the “leave list,” along with the sheep, alpacas, ducks and guinea fowl. Richie informed me, however, that she cornered a guinea in the open duck pen the other day.
I have realised that I can’t let Dora go for walks with Richie or the guests, the former forgetting about her and allowing her to get into mischief and the latter who are not forceful enough in the tone of voice to bring her to heel.
Anyway, I personally trust Dora one hundred percent now not to do the wrong thing, unless I take my eyes off her, and the command “rabbit, rabbit” from me sends her off looking for bunnies and “rat, rat” gets her checking out the shed where she was lucky enough to catch a mouse this week! I only hope that “rat, rat” never digs up a snake!
Caught red handed! I honestly believed that the guinea fowl left the garden alone but after planting zucchini, watermelon and rock melon seeds and having nothing come up I went out one morning to find guineas scratching, dustbathing and pecking at the womboks!
Between the slugs (which seem to be in plague proportions) and the guinea fowl, not to mention That Bloomin Goat, this Spring is proving difficult to grow anything, nevertheless I persevere. I have netted some of the gardens and replanted.
The Spring flush of beautiful colours of the wisteria, banksia flowers and ornamental fruit trees is now fading fast, however, the roses are just coming out (beyond the reach of the goat) and the grape vines are covered in new foliage.
Dainty, the pony, is on the mend fortunately but there is just too much feed even in my smallest paddocks so my good friend Erin from Mane Matters is taking him home for a while.
I am very grateful to call Erin a friend as she is an incredibly inspiring and uplifting woman.
Speaking of inspiring people, I had the privilege to meet Kallah, a 68 year old triple-handicapped women, who looks 20 years younger and is incredibly active, still swimming, kayaking, carriage driving, and gardening. Kal is a talented artist and is currently writing a book titled “Judgement – the Wonderful Release” and is hoping to have it published sometime next year. She has a big heart and, by her own admission, a big mouth as well, never afraid to speak out on issues that matter and helping people.
Kal has reared four children and her impressive CV includes working for the governor of the Reserve Bank in Brisbane many years ago, as well as driving a double decker bus in Sydney.
She has travelled to 21 countries and when I asked which country she enjoyed most she talked about Pakistan where she spent three months.
She hopes to travel the world again in the not too distant future and catch up with friends she has made and remained in contact with.
She plans to build a house on her block in Hendon sometime soon.
She loves to crochet rugs and make chocolate lavender custard and different flavoured scones. Her father, Russell, was born and bred in Texas.
