It’s Not All Grimm

Do you remember the story called “The Elves and the Shoemaker” by the Brothers Grimm? Overnight elves appeared in the shop of a poor shoemaker who could barely keep his business afloat. The elves would disappear before dawn, leaving behind beautiful, well-crafted shoes for the surprised shoemaker to sell.  This week I lived out part of that tale.

 

We had minor work done at our house. Each morning a small group of people showed up, surveyed the job and, got to work. I monitored their progress, pleased with their speed and tidiness. Then at a certain time during the day, as if by magic, the workers disappeared. No sign of them anywhere. They did a good job and skedaddled, just like the elves.  

Here’s where similarities between my experience and the shoemaker’s story end. Although the elves worked night after night without payment, the grateful shoemaker found a way to return the elves’ kindness. The elves received new outfits, but I’m guessing our workers will want cash. Sometimes a simple smile is fair compensation for a good deed. Listen to this heartwarming, pay-it-forward story:

                                         http://youtu.be/ykpeqGKpFHw

Oops, I forgot to warn you that the story’s a tear jerker. Isn’t it amazing how one act can generate a global response? No doubt you’ve received a bit of help at crucial time. How might you pay it forward?  

The Mega-Plan

Is this the season of the mega-web? Spiders are mighty ambitious these days. I awoke to see a spider, no bigger than a quarter, sitting in a web outside our kitchen window. The web measured about two to three feet in diameter and stretched from the roof to the bushes down below. Yes, it was the stuff of nightmares.

This reminds me of the movie where a family wakes up, looks outside and discovers a white winter wonderland. When the camera pulls back, the audience realizes that a spider encased the entire house inside a massive web. If our spider gathers together a few friends, we could be in trouble. I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight. I’m not a fan of spiders, but there is something cheer-worthy about living out big plans. You go, spider! Take a look at the fulfillment of another mega-plan.

                                              http://youtu.be/ozkBd2p2piU

Who knows how big the structure would have become if its occupants had stayed? If insects can carry out big plans, you must have something brewing. What’s your big dream?    

Survivor!

Was our beautiful plant gone, gone, gone? When we left for vacation last month, our potted plant’s lush red flowers made me smile. Upon our return, we witnessed the damage the horrible heat had caused. Dry soil and barren plant stems replaced the beautiful, red blooms. Darn that Feels Like one hundred four degree weather!

You might be wondering if I dumped the plant or gave it another chance? How could something so dehydrated live again? I flooded the pot with water and the plant survived! The green stems have a few sparse leaves, and one tiny bud popped out, the early stages of a flower. I’m eager to see the plant bloom again. I just hope they come before the temperatures drop. This plant is a survivor. If you want to see extraordinary survivors, take a look:

                                         http://youtu.be/gj1iKGydXk8

 

         

                                             http://youtu.be/8pIgBhPrsSI

Miracles can happen anywhere, anytime. What miracle have you experienced?  

Double Insight and Seeing Double

Are you seeing double? I am. In the past week I’ve seen enough twins and triplets to believe  there’s a twin festival in town. In fact, I just saw part of a show where a couple had toddler twins and infant twins, and yes, the wife sounded overwhelmed. I’m surprised I didn’t have twins since my grandmother had a twin sister and we have twin cousins in our family. Despite being a handful, twins are fascinating. They finish one another’s sentences, share emotions, and develop similar preferences even when raised apart. I’m always amazed at how their parents can match the correct names and faces. There’s something special about being born with a buddy. Take a look:

                                              http://youtu.be/WLnYBX1Jm4Y

When two people talk in unplanned synchronicity, it’s a hoot! Add in the joint laughter and dreams, and you can tell there’s a close connection between twins. You don’t have to be a twin to experience a special bond. With whom do you share a special connection?      

           

The Exercise Revolution

Does your vehicle have a sunroof? I didn’t appreciate their value until I glanced in my rear view mirror earlier this week.  Waiting for the red light to change, I saw a driver stick one arm out of the sunroof and the other arm out of the driver side window. With hands clasped together, the drive leaned over and stretched. Boy, that must have felt great—it just looked a little odd. Driving is always an interesting experience. You probably wouldn’t expect to see this scene alongside the highway:

                                              http://youtu.be/cjlcPKORq40

Why waste time? If you have a few minutes, and your vehicle is equipped, go on and exercise.  Here’s a better idea: work-out trainers could outfit buses with workout equipment and make house calls—the gym could come to us! We could skip buying the expensive health club memberships and the bulky equipment. Vehicle exercising could become the next new trend. What other type of at/in-home service would you enjoy?         

Not A Beach Week

This past week wasn’t one to spend at the beach. Gray skies, cool temperatures and on-off rain made it feel more like autumn. Some people will go to the beach in any kind of weather. They’ll visit the ocean on sunny days, wintry ones or right in the middle of a storm. The ocean does have a certain attraction when the wind blows and turbulent waves pound the shore. We’re mesmerized by enormous bodies of water. Notice how we’re always asking, “How deep is it?” The ocean’s depths hold astonishing finds; you never know what you’ll discover down there. Listen and look at this:    

                                              http://youtu.be/YVvn8dpSAt0     

If I were a fish in the deep and saw those pulsating lights, instead of taking cover, I’d never stop staring and end up as dinner. Do you remember playing Hide-N-Seek and hiding out in the open, hoping that you’d blend into your surroundings? Remember how that never worked? Octopuses make disappearing look easy. Our oceans are full of amazing creatures and their and mind-boggling abilities. What draws you to the beach?         

Rowdy Bumper Car Recreation

Have you been to an amusement park this summer? It’s our family’s civic duty to visit at least one or two parks per year, but we’re under our annual quota. Several weeks ago I rode an updated version of the classic bumper cars. It was a fun ride, except the experience transported me to my childhood days when my car would freeze-up a corner (yeah, that was me). Back then, I twisted and turned the wheel, hoping the right combination of moves would free me from my time-out. Meanwhile, as the other drivers whizzed around the enclosure banging and crashing into one another, the sounds of whirling motors and maniacal laughter burrowed into my brain. Eventually, a fellow driver’s merciless bump freed me, but by then the ride was over. Oh, those wonderful amusement park adventures! Some people shouldn’t ride the bumper cars. Watch this:

                                             http://youtu.be/gV0tURvq9WY

 That’s probably not what the retailer had in mind when they stocked the store with motorized carts. As you can see, it’s never a good situation when bumper car playtime leaves the protected area of an amusement park. What activity do you wish you could do without worrying about social or political boundaries?