|
Post by minx on Jun 29, 2024 12:28:06 GMT -5
Got up early to go to an estate sale - was hoping to get a cat tree - it sold right before I arrived. Then went to the Spotsy farmers' market. After that, went downtown for the Pride parade and festival.
All were a lot of fun.
But, it's hotter than hell and humid to boot. I came home at 1 covered in sweat.
Here's the what was I thinking part.
I'm leaving to go back downtown to work the food pantry. Mostly outside and a lot of walking back and forth to bring out boxes and stuff. What the hell was I thinking signing up on today of all days?
Off to roast some more...
|
|
|
Post by Dave's Not Here Man on Jun 29, 2024 17:25:33 GMT -5
Dewpoint was 76 last time I checked. >70 is "tropical". Even at 92 degrees the heat index was 107. Spent a good portion of the day outside in the garage sitting in front of the fan... basically blowing hot air at me. Not for nothing but unless the folks were physically unable to get out of their vehicles (as in disabled), they wouldn't have gotten shit waiting in their air conditioned cars on me to bring them their boxes. Once upon a time maybe but I can hardly breathe out there let alone perform labor.
|
|
|
Post by minx on Jun 30, 2024 11:07:00 GMT -5
Most of them do come up to get the boxes themselves - we tell them to pull up in the fire lane so they only have a short walk. There are one or two people who need help, but those who need assistance usually have medical problems and sometimes we flat out say 'Here, let me grab the box, and you can grab the bag of cold food' to preserve their dignity. When you come up the ramp and are limping and holding tight to the rail, I don't want to take away your dignity by asking if you want help - lots of those people are older and will insist they don't want to inconvenience us. and for those who look like they may need help and don't want it, they always say "Don't worry, I got it".
And we always, always tell people to take two trips - one for the box and another to grab the bag. We don't want anyone accidentally injuring themselves.
Had 23 people come through, but two picked up for themselves and a neighbor - we have a couple of people who do that. Sometimes they come together, but if one can't make it the other picks up their box, which I think is nice. It's good to see people look out for each other.
Back home, another shower and loose, loose shirt and shorts to sit in front of a fan for an hour cured all heat!
|
|
|
Post by Dave's Not Here Man on Jun 30, 2024 15:39:31 GMT -5
I know that a lot of people who need help are sometimes the last ones that will ask for it, so I try to measure things in my mind and will usually just help without asking. If it's obvious, do it. If it's not, there are ways of asking and telling at the same time without like, forcing help on them.
|
|
|
Post by minx on Jul 1, 2024 12:23:49 GMT -5
Truth. One of the couples who used to volunteer on Saturdays would bring two coolers of water bottles (the little ones) and juices. They just left them open and told people to take one for each person in their family. For those walking, they had a small stash of larger bottles in the fridge inside. Just a super nice thing to do.
When my friend who had the embolism first came home from rehab, we all did a lot of "Oh eggs were on sale - we grabbed you an extra box" type of stuff. And of course it was always 'Just pay us later' where we never mentioned the later or later would 'forget' how much they cost. It gave her a few weeks of grace to adjust before she had to start asking people to buy her groceries.
It's not very easy to ask for or accept help. I wish we normalized it more, along with an expectation that if you are able to, you should help when asked.
|
|