Recycling brings new life to old scraps

“Rags, bags and bottles.” The repeated call of the wagon driver came to mind. His horse clip-clopped around my childhood neighborhood.

The driver usually made a stop at our house. I don’t recall all the items my mother donated, but he kept coming back for more rags, bags and bottles.

This isn’t my first venture into recycling, I recalled as I stood in the line at the local recycling center.

My brother and I did a lot of recycling of our own, although we didn’t call it by that name. At ages six and eight, we scoured the neighborhood each Saturday for papers, bottles, cans and scrap metal. Then we loaded the finds into his red wagon and took them to the scrap metal place about three blocks from home. The attendant unloaded our items, put them on the scale and paid us by the pound. He didn’t accept bottles, so we took them back to the corner store for a nickel deposit.

We usually made at least fifty cents. And split the proceeds for our afternoon venture – at the local movie house.

Getting into the movie cost a quarter, so we had money left over for jujubes, good and plenty or popcorn. What a great way to spend the next few hours watching an hour of cartoons, the cliff-hanging serial, maybe the newsreel and then the featured movie. Only one movie house showed “dirty” (x-rated) films so Mom and Dad didn’t have to worry about what we were watching. But that’s another article.

Back to the recycling which many people did in those days. The idea of saving items came about as a ‘war effort’ it was rather patriotic to re-use paper, cans, bottles and other scrap metal. A lot of clothing got ‘handed-down’ as well. The milkman always picked up the old empty bottles when he brought the full ones each morning.

Somehow our patriotism waned and we became a throw-away society. In the 70s, however, a renewed effort began to get people to stop throwing away all the paper, especially plastic, and reclaim what we could.

One friend who was very much into that idea taught me to save aluminum foil to use for a second or third time around. And bags, paper and plastic could always be recycled into another or different use. I still save most plastic bags, or return them. Even Christmas boxes are used each year, especially since we no longer have anyone looking for Santa.

In fact, it was one of those former Santa enthusiasts who got me into this latest recycling line. Some old copper pipes were setting in the corner of the storage closet. He said, you should take these pipes to the recycling center, they’re paying good money for copper. So I did. And they did.

Good money? Well, the $2.55 per pound will not get me into any local movie theatre. And if it does, I’ll not be able to buy a box of candy to eat while I watch the flick. But it’s better than putting it into the trash or storing the pipes in the corner of the storage closet.

Now. Let’s see, what else can I retrieve or take to the recycling center?

☺ plastic bags – to the grocery store or save for future use

☺ newspapers – several area farms accept newspapers

☺ metal – aluminum, copper, stainless steel are among those accepted for recycling and paid for by the pound

☺ cans – recycle at centers

☺ clothing and shoes – donation boxes or centers can be found on many neighborhood corners and in shopping centers

☺ large and small appliances accepted at recycling centers. Resell if still usable.

☺ car batteries – certain automotive centers pay for these by the pound; used oil, too. Keep an eye out for signs about these places as you cruise the area.

☺ glass jars or bottles – save for reuse; plus there’s a new move to make more glass bottles (a less breakable glass) and a return deposit is also suggested

Who knows? Maybe someone will clip-clop around the neighborhood again calling: rags, bags and bottles.

Can Anything Good Come out of Poverty?

 

I stirred the recipe ingredients, which had now become a regular part of family meals, but when I first made it, it came from poverty, or at least dire need. The cupboard was almost bare and there was little money for groceries.

What should I make for dinner? I scanned the shelves – a can of mushroom soup, a box of Bisquick… The refrigerator yielded little as well – a bag of frozen mixed vegetables, less than a half-gallon of milk, and a couple eggs.

Next I pulled out a recipe book, something that I seldom did anymore. We had become accustomed to routine meals and/or eating out. Things, however, had changed.

With Bob recovering from surgery, he had no part-time income. My job search seemed futile as well. Money was there for the essentials – mortgage, utilities, the car, but little else.

I scanned the recipe book, one specifically designed for ‘nothing in the house, but…’ And even that yielded few ideas. Then I saw one on the box of Bisquick – a recipe for impossible pie.

Even the name sounded appropriate for our impossible situation. It called for one ingredient that I did not have: chicken. Well, I could make impossible vegetable pie. So I did.

And here I was eight years later, still making the same impossible pie. Perhaps it’s something like the saying, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. 

Can anything else come out of poverty?

The value of a second medical opinion

“You’re too young to have that surgery,” said the gynecologist.

Too young! I was three or four years younger when gland removal surgery was first recommended to me, and by the same kind of doctor.

Our poverty almost 40 years ago was greater. My husband was jobless, or at least had trouble keeping a job for any length of time, so we had no medical insurance.

“We have no money to cover surgery,” I told the doctor.

“Well, then I’ll just perform a different procedure and hope that relieves your pain,” he answered. And he did.

Now I was in pain again, but in the office of a different doctor. Since we had insurance, I felt confident a surgery would be paid for. But the doctor was telling me gland removal was not necessary.

“We have better procedures. I’ll just put a new window in the gland, and you’ll be good as new,” he said, “and that can be done right here in my office.”

When I returned home after the surgery – pain free—I said to my husband, “Just think I would have had that gland removed, if we had the money or insurance for surgery, and this doctor said I’m too young to give up a gland.”

Receiving also has a blessing.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive,” said Jesus.

But notice “more” is a qualifying word; he didn’t say that receiving has no blessing, as anyone on the receiving end will affirm.

I could fill the page with examples of the blessings we received through gifts of money, food and transportation, to name a few.

Recently, we attended a wedding. Another couple drove us there and back home again – a three-hour drive both ways. The trip home was through pouring rain and heavy fog. They did not want to take the thank-you card we offered, since it contained money.

We reminded them that there is also blessing in receiving.

In fact, if we’re honest, all that we have is a gift.

God’s Creative and timely answers

My expression during that earlier time of dire need became: God doesn’t always come in the mailbox.

Since answers in the way of money often came through the mail, we usually looked through the mail expecting a check.

But just as last Saturday’s need was met through a gift card rather than through the mail, I could also fill a page or more with God’s creative ways of answering our prayers. And He was never late!

Our creative cards or gifts

“I want to send a Father’s Day card,” said Bob.

“But we don’t have the money,” I answered.

In fact we didn’t have much money for anything.

The news about the card, however, hit Bob pretty hard. So he sat on the couch and ran fingers through his hair.

After a few minutes, I made a suggestion. “We have paper and envelopes, why don’t you write a letter to your Dad and tell him how much you love and appreciate him.” Bob brightened at the idea and went to his typewriter.

Our boys and I were working on a homemade card for Bob. During the day when he was at work, we had a lot of fun creating pages with pictures, poems and cutout captions. It actually was turning into more than a card, more like a collage booklet.

Bob busily typed away in the other room. Later in the evening, he produced a letter for me to read. He’d even typed it with few mistakes.

The letter was warm and witty – truly reflecting Bob’s affection and sense of humor – a gift he inherited from his Dad. They joked more than they hugged.

“Your Dad will treasure this letter above any card you could buy for him,” I said, choking back tears.

Nine years later after the memorial service, as we went through Dad’s things, there was the letter.

One hand-written word was scrawled at the top of the page: “Keep!”

Perhaps that’s enough examples of something good that can come out of poverty, but let me just add: empathy for others in need, the value of good health, better budgeting, not relying on money in stocks or the bank… to add details, however, would fill more than a page with good.

Finding the Pursuit of Happiness

The pursuit of happiness – I followed it today. The pursuit of happiness came in a large, make that mega, travel trailer towing a Honda Sedan.

The pursuit of happiness – the third unalienable right endowed to us by our Creator as put forth in the Declaration of Independence.

I’d always wondered where the pursuit of happiness would take me — and was quite pleased to see that a Florida retiree had not only found it, but was driving it on the interstate in Pennsylvania.

At least, I’m assuming he’d found it since the letters were bold and colorful announcing that his travel trailer was indeed the pursuit of happiness. He was no longer looking as most of us are. The retiree had already found life, and no doubt liberty, he was after all driving on American roads. With no one telling him where to drive or what to do, apparently he liked being inside the pursuit of happiness.

It seems we’re not the only ones interested in pursuing happiness. According to a recent survey by a British university, other countries are not only pursuing but also achieving happiness. In fact, the United States came in 23^rd place in the category.

There must be other Americans, however, who are thinking about the pursuit. A recent newspaper article devoted two full columns to the subject, under the title: Most young people say they’re happy. The article also cited a just published book pursuing the subject.

One reader wrote in response: “…happiness is defined as a happening of chance, luck, fortune. Joy on the other hand, is an exultation of the spirit, gladness, delight, the beatitude of heaven or paradise.” (The reader’s quote is from “Ecstasy, understanding the psychology of joy,” Robert A Johnson, 1987)

She continued: Comparing definitions of these two words, one might begin reflecting upon why the United States is built on an attitude of pursuing happiness, given the happenstance, short-sighted nature of happiness and not on globally strategic foundation of pursuing joy?

Perhaps she has a good question. Another might be why the drafters of the Declaration chose the word: happiness? Does it cover a multitude of pursuits? Why not marriage? Family? Occupation? Education? Is happiness an umbrella word for all?

People came to these shores with a number of quests and still do. Life and liberty are no doubt numbers one and two, but what would the immigrant list as number three?

History tells us: some came for religious reasons, others financial, word of mouth advertising persuaded many.

From the number of people still striving, sneaking and openly trying to get into our borders, it seems that same advertising exists.

Today some come for food, clothing, shelter and healthcare, just to name a few responses.

One Burmese Karen, part of a new group of immigrants, said he had come for freedom. He never mentioned happiness.

Were the early immigrants happy before they came to America? Did they find happiness once they arrived?

The first synonym listed for happiness is contentment. What does it take to make an American content? Just one more would probably be the answer.

Just one more dollar or million, just one more educational degree, just one more job promotion, just one more child, just one more house…

A recent mail solicitation proposed that if I used their service, I could have a “happy” lawn. What will happy grass do?

From early writings we see that Americans thought about being happy and used expressions such as: happy as a clam and happy go lucky.

“Quite satisfied with one’s situation; feeling carefree” is the meaning of happy as a clam. Here is one of those mystifying expressions if you think about it rather than just saying it. Who knows that state of mind of a clam? The picture is clearer when you come upon the old form of the saying: happy as a clam at high tide. Clams are dug at low tide, so the assumption was that any right thinking clam would be in the best frame of mind when the tide was high. KnickerbockerMagazine was able to say in 1838 that ‘happy as a clam’ is an old adage. In Bartlett’s Dictionary of Americanisms (1848) one finds: ‘happy as a clam at high tide’ is a very common expression in those parts of the coast of New England where clams are found.”

Happy-go-lucky (carefree, unconcerned) dates from the 19^th century and is found in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick (1851) “A happy-go-lucky; neither craven nor valiant.” An earlier meaning was haphazard, as luck would have it. It is seen in Edward Arber’s An English Garner (1699) “The Redcoats cried, ‘Shall we fall on in order, or happy go lucky?’” (The Dictionary of Clichés, James Rogers, 1985, p.121)

“’Happy as a clam’ is one of the oldest similes in the United States, but who ever saw a clam smile or laugh?” Says author, Larry Wright in his book, Happy as a Clam, a collection of similes. Wright has collected similes since 1948 and found more than 50 that begin with the word: happy.

A simile is a figure of speech in which one word is likened to another, dissimilar thing by the use of the word as or like. They enhance language to make points more vivid and clear as they colorfully express an idea or description.

To help us see the word happy, here are similes used by some authors: Happy as a butterfly in a garden full of sunshine and flowers, Louisa May Alcott; Happy as a child, William Wordsworth; Happy as a girl with her dance card full, Richard Harding Davis; Happy as a new millionaire, Margaret Mitchell.

As I said earlier, pursuing happiness seems to be the pursuit of others. Columnist, Jonathan Clements wrote about happiness in a  Getting Going article for the Wall Street Journal. He suggests seven key lessons from happiness research:

1. What matters is what we focus on. Those with higher incomes aren’t necessarily happier. But when asked how satisfied they are with their lives, high earners are more likely to say they’re happy. And he suggests, if you are less well off, avoid situations where you feel deprived.
2. Don’t go it alone. Studies have found that married folks are happier than those who are single. So what does he suggest for those who are unmarried –spending time with friends can boost happiness, including least enjoyable activities such as commuting and looking after kids. And even eating, one of life’s great pleasures, can be enhanced by adding friends.
3. We like to feel secure. Midlife is a period of relative unhappiness. This may stem from the lack of control felt by those juggling raising children and demands of work. By contrast employees in senior positions, retirees and those with good job security often report being happy.
4. We enjoy making progress. We prefer leisure to work according to studies. We like to perform a job competently and the flow of work. Work’s real pleasure may come from the sense of satisfaction we feel afterward, suggests David Schkade, management professor at the University of California.
5. We adapt to improvements. We strive for faster cars, fatter paychecks and winning lottery tickets. Yet, when we get what we hanker after, we quickly become dissatisfied and soon we’re lusting after something else. Taking time to celebrate or admire the new purchase or accomplishment may help us to hang onto our good feelings a little longer.
6. We also adapt to setbacks. And we seem to adapt more quickly if a setback is large or irreversible.
7. We enjoy behaving virtuously. If we volunteer, give to charity or behave politely, we usually feel pretty good. He quotes Terry Burnham, co-author of Mean Genes. Virtue is built into us because virtue was rewarded. In small-scale societies, where you are well known, there are rewards for being a good citizen and severe punishments for being a rule breaker.

Clements gives these seven keys lessons from happiness research and says it is indeed possible to boost our happiness, but it’ll take more than a fat wallet.

(What’s at the Heart of Happiness? Sunday August 26, 2007)

Perhaps that pursuit of happiness in a large, make that mega, travel trailer towing a Honda Sedan might be the answer?

–S–

What will we do with the second half?

The first thing we did after I retired was take a trip back to school. We traveled to Eastern Europe and taught English as a second language, or conversational English.

While there, I read a short article about Retirees, who are being called “Second Halfers.” Why? Because it seems we’re not really
retiring after all, just entering a second half or phase of life.

The article proposed that we now have all kinds of time to pursue a second career, volunteer opportunities, education, or whatever we want. And maybe that’s the key –whatever we want to do. For the first time, not like when we graduated from high school or college and didn’t know what we wanted to do. Or were set to please others –parents or peers.

Later, we got locked into a budget, raising a family, or stayed with a company for job security. But that’s behind us and a second half is out there.

Although millions of Americans are diligently saving and investing for retirement, many don’t plan to quit working when they reach retirement age, finds a Gallup survey sponsored by the investment firm Paine-Webber Inc.

They plan to work as long as they can, 15 percent of the respondents said, while 60 percent want to look for a new job. Ten percent said that will be part time. While another 15 percent plan traditional retirements and not work. (“Many won’t quit when they reach retirement,” Joyce M. Rosenberg, Knight Ridder News Service. *

Just what are “traditional retirement activities”? That’s where
a hard and fast definition would be hard and fast to find. Retirees are doing so many things that one wonders about the continued use of the word retire.

The official definition of retire is “to draw back,” “retreat”
and “withdraw from business.” Retirement, however, brings a
different kind of demand upon time — a self-imposed one. Once again it’s time to choose. How will I spend my remaining years?

A former co-worker, Gerry Roschel retired from JCPenney after 20 years in the Personnel Department, then recently celebrated 15 years in the office of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce.

One December, a Pastor friend retired and sent out a January letter requesting prayer that he find a new job. He did, complete with benefits.

For most people, the desire to do something worthwhile with time
continues beyond retirement day. Perhaps it increases, because there is greater recognition of time’s value.

If health holds, do I travel? Volunteer for worthy causes? Pursue a new career? Develop a craft or hobby?

Go back to school, take college courses? learn to paint, ride
bicycles…?

“When Fern Horst, age 70, had the chance to rest, the former Akron (PA)Borough councilwoman took to the road instead on her Cannondale bicycle. Horst has logged more than 15,000 miles cycling throughout the US and Canada and has no intention of slowing down.

“‘Being 70 doesn’t mean I want to plop down in a chair and start feeling old,” said Horst, and hoped to see more of the world before her 80th birthday.

Mark Twain also learned to ride bike at age 55.

H. G. Wells did a doctoral dissertation at 76; Cornelius Vanderbilt bought his first railroad stock at age 68; Clara Barton learned to type at 90. And Toscanini conducted three and a half hour rehearsals when he was 87. (Source: World Features Syndicate, Durham, NH)

So, what will we do with the second half?

–S–

*
Published November 16, 1998, Business Monday, Lancaster, PA. New Era

Tax Table for Two

  Red and green tablecloths folded away.

Bright cookie tins back on the shelves.

White forms and papers now litter the way.

Calculators click as we do it ourselves.

 

As holiday greetings give way to January blahs there’s perhaps one more reason for them: tax time. New Year has scarcely begun when the 1040 arrives in the mail followed by state and local forms.

Each year federal forms multiply and intensify and more people opt for the convenience of the accountant or tax preparer.

Since, my husband and I still do the forms ourselves, we try to make the evening as much fun as possible.

When the last of the holiday cookie crumbs are brushed away, the folding table is taken from the kitchen to the family room. There it collects all sorts of forms through the month of January until the last of the W2s and 1099s arrive.

Whenever we have a free Friday night, at the end of January or beginning of February, we set it aside for tax time. First, we order in food, usually it’s Chinese, since the evening often falls during Chinese New Year. But we have on occasion ordered Stromboli. (Don’t spill drinks or drip food on the tax forms!)

The table sets near the coal stove, so Bob builds a fire while I get the food served onto paper plates, pour some drinks, and we’re all settled in for …

“Boy you two sure know how to spend a romantic evening,” said our then teenage son. He shook his head as he watched us from the doorway of the family room.

Romantic evening? Well, hardly, bent over tax papers and calculators . .

 This approach may not take all the tension away.

It does make less tedious the job ahead,

Of totaling figures and filling in Line 32…

Or maybe it’s Line 37 we dread?

 

–S–

 

   

Living Over 55

 DON’T DISCOUNT THE DISCOUNT

  

Graying is a perk. Don’t discount it.

 It comes in restaurants, theatres and travel.

 I’m not sure how  the Senior discount began, but I know when it began for me — at age 46. That’s when I got gray, or at least started graying. 

“Do you want the senior discount?” a pert twenty-something would ask.

Answers varied depending on my mood –glares, grunts or grins — “Sure, why not?” If she wants to offer it, why not take it? Smaller tip for her, or maybe no tip — depending on my mood.

Never did she look at my wrinkle-free face, just my gray hair. Never asked my husband either, just looked at his gray-free hair. (Even now, he still has only a few gray hairs in his brown locks.)

America is graying, they say. Some do, some don’t. My mother-in-law began to gray at age 80, so she was not totally gray even at 92 when she passed away. My younger brother on the other hand had gray hairs at 17.

 

And of course, there are those who run for cover. Only their hairdressers know what’s under it.

But I decided early on, that I would gray naturally. “I’ve earned these,” I said when anyone commented about my graying tresses. Most of them came out during natural disasters –the torrential teens (my offsprings’ teens, that is).

So, if graying can get me some extra money or status, I’m now ready to accept the benefits; I’ve already taken the blows.

While some debate the question: “To gray or not to gray;” I’ll make mine “To pay or what to pay.”

–S–