Conservations by an Old Fart

My Grandfather "Honey" Hadley, aka Old Fart, known for various reasons including the obvious, would always say, "When not in use, turn off the juice".

As a child I'd scamper from room to room making it as bright as I possibly could, because I was afraid of darkness. He'd follow me around flipping them right back off and get on me about wasting electricity. Shaking his finger viciously in my face "It costs money", he snarled.

My grand father grew up in the time of the great depression with an outhouse and no indoor plumbing, so he valued everything to the penny. He would scold me, "Stacie, always remember... when not in use turn off the juice," and he'd make me flip the light switches off. I did so, but always with a furrowed brow. I suppose he did drill it in my stubborn head because I find myself even today, repeating that to my own brood. Even if I do not say it out loud, I will say it in my head... and ya know what? It does save me money.

As for the ozone, I'm sure the "old fart" contributed to his share of those problems unknowingly in his era. My poor grandmother would follow him around with a can of air freshener. I guess that's where he also coined his expression, "you stink sweet". He would say this when he'd hug me. Boy, do I miss that Old Fart, stinks and all.

Original eccentric and thought provoking sayings by Stacie

Must be the java talking.

Fall reminds me of friendships, this time of year leaves start falling....then they will come back again later...but then some friendships they are like evergreens. I think I like evergreens best ♥ ...then again some of the leaves that grow back in the spring become like evergreens...and that's a nice thing to think about :)


If kids drive us bananas sometimes and coins make different cents, then shouldn't penniless kids deliver us to fruitful spirits that equals change deep within us ??

Salvation

From coins to cupboards,

change is needed



After much contemplation and deliberation, I arrived at the conclusion that my voice must be heard. It's my duty as a citizen of Lenoir County to speak up for those individuals and families that are unaware, or unable to know the difference between good and bad food. Just because it's free doesn't mean that it's safe for consumption.
Just like many of the people in this country suffering during this economic hardship, I too have fallen upon hard times. However, is the best solution to resolve poverty in Lenoir County to poison the poor? Of course it is not. Now we all know the images I have to submit must have been an oversight, but one that could potentially be life threatening or even deadly. After all, we are all human. Mistakes can be made by anyone.
My journey starts with turning to the Salvation Army for help. The process was rather invasive, tedious and much longer than I anticipated. I had to give my social security numbers for everyone in my home, answer all types of questions, and finally was approved. I was handed a sealed envelope that I was told not to open and was then sent to the facility where they hand out the food. I was surprised when it was the Salvation Army thrift store. I entered the store, which wasn't the cleanliest place I have ever been, and I approached the counter.
When one thinks of Salvation Army employees, they think of the cheerfully expressed faces that ring the bells by the red kettles this time of year. Since I was already humbled, humiliated, and saddened about my circumstances, I at least was hoping the personnel could muster up a smile to lift my spirits. I felt as if I was bothering the lady behind the counter as she grumbled to another employee, "She needs two boxes."
I was directed to this filthy table where some boxes lay underneath. "Grab two," she said. I did. At least I attempted to. They were quite heavy for a petite woman to carry. Another person in need greeted me with a smile and said, "Let me help you to your car with those." The poor helping the poor. It did bring a smile to my face, finally.
Someone in my situation really lending a helping hand and doing so with a smile. I drove home thinking of her kindness as we had exchanged tips on economic living in these hard times, and I told her to watch out for places who claim they sell 100% gas, when in fact 10% ethanol is usually hidden on their invoices. She had thanked me and nodded.
It was a lot to think about on the way home. Upon arriving home, I was anxious to unload my mystery boxes of food. I was shocked to find that nearly half of the boxes contents were expired foods, most of the cans were dented and some were even rusty. I'm not even talking about recently expired food, I mean January 2008 and December 2005. I took photos, and returned all the near-full box of expired food back to the Salvation Army thrift store. Not even a sorry. She grumbled, "Just grab another box." So I did. I then took it to the car to check it out before driving all the way home again.
Yet again, I found more expired food. Some was 2008, some was early 2009, some recently expired. Out of the three boxes I went through about one-fourth of the products had dates that went into the next year. I sent my 9 year-old son in with a handful of expired products to exchange for in-date items. She picked some things out and placed them in a bag and my son joyfully strolled to the car saying, "We have some food that won't make us sick now, Mom."
I also noticed the randomness of the items in each box. They should be boxes that contain the five food groups and they do not. It was just random things tossed in the boxes carelessly. I think our local branch needs some help organizing a better system to disperse the food and make sure that it is safe for our citizens to eat. A lot of people are unaware that food can become contaminated with botulism if the dents puncture cans deeply enough especially near the seams. This is something that not even thoroughly heating the food can rid the contents of the deadly microorganism. The old saying is "beggars can't be choosers," but I had to speak up when a single mom of four was being given things that could make my already difficult life much, much worse. I am just but one person, one voice. My hope is that I will be heard, and a difference can be made for those in need. Not just in this county, but everywhere.

Written by Stacie Hadley Sylvia

Nov. 2009