Thank God it’s Monday, again. I always look forward to every Monday. They’re my 52 Chances a year, in which I get to share Memories of My Mom with you. Therefore, have a happy Monday.
Saturday, being the fourth one in October (for 2025), will be celebrating National Make A Difference Day, among other things. This is considered a national day of service and volunteering. It encourages us to make a difference by performing acts of kindness in our communities.
Organize or participate in a park cleanup or assist a senior in your area. You can also donate your time, money, and/or “stuff” to local charities. However, we really should try to create a positive impact and “make a difference” on a DAILY basis.
This celebration is just like February’s annual observances of Random Acts of Kindness Week and National Random Acts of Kindness Day. By the way, World Kindness Week is only a few weeks away, as well. Acts of kindness include physical support, emotional support, and/or mental support.
In all of her books and newsletters – in between all of the recipes, jokes, and household tips – Mom always wrote editorials about being kind to each other and making a positive difference in someone’s life. It was a daily goal of hers – to make a difference at home, in her neighborhood and community, across the nation, and around the world.
“Making a difference”, big or small, can mean a multitude of different things to different people. I’ve heard from several of Mom’s former newsletter subscribers, who’ve come across my blog posts about her. They’ve all commented on what a wonderful difference her writings of encouragement made in their lives.
Well before internet and computers were common household things, Mom used radio, TV, newspapers and magazines as her platforms to get the word out about her recipe offerings and, in her interviews, she would always promote “The Golden Rule” concept.
Most of us grew up, learning the “Golden Rule” by Kindergarten. It’s based on an old proverb to “do onto others, as you would have them do onto you.” Simply put, treat others as you would like to be treated.
Mom always used to say, “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”. That must be why “they” (whoever “they” are) say, “silence is golden”. We learned how we should always be kind to each other, as toddlers in day care and pre-school. It was reiterated in different ways on all the children’s programs that we watched.
It was also echoed throughout our initial school years and, for the most part, in our households. Yet, as we got older, what made so many of us stop being kind to each other? What makes someone turn from being kind to being a bully? Some excuse it as a temporary “faze” or a “normal” part of childhood.
However, if it’s not stopped and corrected, it can become a “normal” part of life into adulthood. Kindness is so important to our civilization that nonprofit groups have formed specifically to encourage and promote it, making it the “new norm”.
FROM MOM’S MEMORIES…
As seen in…
Gloria Pitzer’s Mixed Blessings – Recipes & Remedies (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; March 1984, p. 108)
CONSIDERATION
THE TIME TO CARE about people is long overdue! The resistance to such a notion is now so popular among the thought-provoking critics and the influential media, that it looks like an exercise in futility to even dream of seeing a turn-around in human behavior in our lifetime.
People of great religious convictions preach the need for caring, but they offend the non-religious, so their message goes unheeded. Religion is a personal and very private matter, and no one wishes to have theirs questioned nor examined and that is perfectly reasonable.
However, the matter of expressing ordinary concern, little considerations is not an invasion of privacy, but a natural disposition of which we’re all capable in spite of our cool, sophisticated efforts to make such behavior appear corny or ridiculous!…
WHY SHOULD ANYONE have to apologize for enjoying something that leaves you feeling that the world is a better place than you thought it was before you experienced this new joy, this new elation?
I sense an urgency among the social critics to convince us that we should approve only of the horrors because there seems to be so much more of this in our experiences than the blessings we look for and hope to enjoy.
I observe a subtle fear in the faces of those who find anger and even worse – indifference, a more comfortable bed to slip into, than one that imposes possible challenges, obstacles to overcome and heartaches to heal.
I would still be going along my own merry way, living out my Erma Bombeck type fantasies about housework and humor in a Limberlost of mismatched sweat socks and half-eaten pizza, but I can’t!
I see too much around me that I cannot ignore, I see friends backing away from each other because they don’t want to be exposed to their problems when they have enough of their own.
I see indifference and hard-hearted ordinary people in my own community, exempting themselves from becoming involved with ordinary everyday considerations because they choose to enjoy somebody else in pain and in need.
I used to think it was typical of only a handful of people and we had to excuse them for their ignorance, but it turned out to be much broader than that. It was an epidemic of lack of conscience. We can’t change folks like this, but we certainly don’t have to become a victim of their offenses!
Kindness is known to energize us whether we’re giving it or receiving it. Heart health and blood pressure are known to improve with the continued giving and/or receiving of kindness. This, in turn, it also helps us live longer. Giving and/or receiving kindness makes us happy, which is good for our mental health and empowers our self-esteem.
Make a difference, however small. It hardly takes any effort or time, nor does it cost anything to be kind. Common suggestions are to smile, nod and say “hello”, give a compliment, hold a door for someone, let somebody get in line ahead of you, say “thank you” or “I appreciate you”.
You can tell a joke to make someone laugh and lift their spirits. You can be a good listener to someone who needs to talk. You can also help your neighbors and volunteer your time. However, most importantly, don’t forget to be kind to yourself.
MORE FROM MOM’S MEMORIES…
As seen in…
My Cup Runneth Over and I Can’t Find My Mop (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Dec. 1989, p. 61)
THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF GOOD
WHENEVER OUR BEST intentions are carried out for the good of all concerned, only good can result. How could good possibly produce something bad? It’s often just the still small voice of wisdom that turns us in the right direction.
When it does, how silly it is of us to give credit to coincidence or chance. The purpose of something good is, of course, to bless, to enrich and to comfort and why, then, does even knowing this makes so many folks feel uncomfortable?
Having more doesn’t necessarily make us better-off, and most people limit their definition of good to an increase in more THINGS. Sometimes the good is not material, nor the least bit tangible, but instead is a feeling – a comforting and reassuring confidence – that, yes, everything can be all right, after all!
Kindness helps us feel valued, whether we’re giving it or receiving it. Showing even the smallest amount of kindness can go a long way. Kindness has a ripple effect to the “nth” degree. Additionally, kindness, like happiness, is contagious; effecting both, the giver and receiver, in a positive manner.
Many believe that acts of kindness have the potential to change lives world-wide, in more ways than one. The simple act of being kind is an essential part of an evolved and growing community. In our society, it bridges many divides like race, religion, gender, and even politics.
Moreover, like happiness, acts of kindness provide many helpful physical and mental health benefits. The Science Of Kindness claims, it… “Fuels personal energy and self-esteem… Makes you happier… [Is] good for your heart… [And] helps you live longer…”
Now that internet and computers are common household things, we have an enormous platform from which we can all jump on the kindness band wagon to promote making a positive difference in a seemingly negative world. It’s up to every one of us. Make a difference. Be the difference.
LAST THOUGHTS…
Thanks for visiting! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my memories of my mom, her memories, and other related things. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at therecipedetective@outlook.com. You can also find me on Facebook: @TheRecipeDetective.
IN CLOSING…
In honor of TODAY, being International Chefs Day, and Friday, being National Food Day, here’s Mom’s secret copycat recipes for “Bean Soup [Like Chef Frank’s at The Voyageur]” AND “Salt Spice Mix”. Both are from her last book, Gloria Pitzer’s Cookbook – The Best of the Recipe Detective (Balboa Press; Jan. 2018, p. 122 & 16 – respectively). [This is a revised reprint of Gloria Pitzer’s Better Cookery Cookbook (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; May 1983, 3rd Edition)].
As always, I’m asking only for proper credit if you care to re-share either/both of them.
P.S. Food-for-thought until next Monday…
The month of October observes a lot of things, including the following food related celebrations… Eat Better & Eat Together Month, National Apple Month, National Applejack Month, National Bake and Decorate Month, National Caramel Month, National Chili Month, NATIONAL COOKBOOK MONTH, National Cookie Month, National Dessert Month, National Pasta Month, National Pickled Peppers Month, National Pizza Month, National Popcorn Poppin’ Month, National Pork Month, National Pretzel Month, National Sausage Month, National Seafood Month, Pear and Pineapple Month, Rhubarb Month, Spinach Lovers Month, Tackling Hunger Month, and Vegetarian Month.
Other October observances that aren’t directly food related but could be kissing cousins, include… Halloween Safety Month, Italian-American Heritage Month, National Arts & Humanities Month, NATIONAL BOOK MONTH, National Fire Prevention Month, National Kitchen & Bath Month, Polish American Heritage Month, National Reading Group Month, National Women’s Small Business Month, Positive Attitude Month, and Self-Promotion Month.
Plus, as the start of the third week in October (for 2025), it’s also the start of… National Kraut Sandwich Week, National Business Women’s Week, National Friends of Libraries Week, National Forest Products Week, Free Speech Week, and National Retirement Planning Week.
Today is also… National Youth Confidence Day and National Brandied Fruit Day. Plus, as the third Monday in October (for 2025), it’s also… National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day.
Tomorrow is… National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day.
Wednesday, October 22nd, is… National Make a Dog’s Day, National Nut Day, and National Color Day.
Thursday, October 23rd, is… National Boston Cream Pie Day and National TV Talk Show Host Day (and Johnny Carson’s birthday).
October 24th is… National Bologna Day and United Nations Day. Plus, as the last Friday in October (for 2025), it’s also… National Breadstick Day.
October 25th is… National Greasy Food Day and Sourest Day. Plus, as the last Saturday in October (for 2025), it’s also… National Trick or Treat Day.
October 26th is… National Tennessee Day, National Mule Day, National Pumpkin Day, and National Mincemeat Day. Plus, as the fourth Sunday in October (for 2025), it’s also… National Mother-in-Law Day.
Have a great week!
…42 down, only 10 more to go.
