Friday Tidings

My evening walk to the bus takes me past homes and townhouses that once bore the campaign signs of autumn.  During October, I observed opposing signs placed right on the property line of two homes—almost like a signage debate. But alas, the signs are now long gone, replaced by sparkling holiday lights. Through the front windows I see decorated trees. A “Let it Snow” sign has replaced the campaign slogans. These neighbors voted differently, but now the beauty of their displays looks inviting for a season that offers peace. While I don’t know how they really feel about one another, being a neighbor still invites an opportunity to be friends. I’ll always remember the plates of decorated Christmas cookies my mom would carry to our neighbors. Maybe it was just kindness, but knowing my mom’s strong willed voting record, I think it was probably a delicious peace offering. They were always warmly received, and I was thankful to have next door neighbor friends. Perhaps the acts ...

A s a teen, I expected things to go my way. Why not? I thought if you tried hard enough everything works.   A part-time job would soon give me a new perspective. Miller’s Department Store offered a wide variety of housewares, clothing, shoes, and toys. I routinely cleaned up the changing rooms, and folded piles of pants, shirts, and sweaters.  I tidied up the racks of clothes and made sure customers didn’t wait at the cash register. Living in a small mill town brought its share of economic ups and downs—depending on the price of lumber.  For some, this was a down time. In October, an older woman brought a pile of clothes and toys to the checkout counter.  “I need to put these on layaway, please.”  She seemed weary. I looked at the pile and inwardly sighed.  My manager helped me since this was my first layaway. Every item was rung up and charged, but she only had to make her first payment.  I saw her pull out the single bill in her wallet—$5.00...