As usual, happy Monday. I love Mondays. They’re my 52 Chances a year, in which I get to share Memories of My Mom with you.
Today is celebrating, among other things, National Good Neighbor Day and Wednesday will be National Love People Day; though, these are some of those things that should be observed and practiced every day.
National Good Neighbor Day began in the early 1970s by Becky Mattson (Lakeside, Montana). In September 1978, President Jimmy Carter issued Proclamation 4601, creating the official national observance.
Key traits of good neighboring include loving people, being friendly, as well as available and approachable. Other good traits include respect, maturity, helpfulness, and trustworthiness. Good neighbors always welcome new residents – introducing themselves, as well as other neighbors; plus, maintaining relationships and being sociable.
GOOD NEIGHBORS
Generations ago, it was commonplace to know most, if not all, of our neighbors. Now, according to a timeless article by John Anderer (Dec. 27, 2019), Sign Of The Times: 75% Of Adults Aren’t Friends With Any Of Their Neighbors, “1 in 4 people are living somewhere with ‘no sense of community spirit’ in their neighborhood.”
Over the decades, people have withdrawn from socializing with their neighbors. Furthermore, John wrote that “56% say they have no interest in getting to know those who live next door any better than they already do. But the survey did find that people living in rural areas (18%) are more likely to have friends in their neighborhood than city dwellers (15%).”
According to an online consensus of neighboring advice, a few great ways to make friends with your neighbors, new or otherwise, include taking the initial step (if they haven’t come to you). Knock on THEIR doors, with a greeting and introduction.
Sometimes organizing a neighborhood backyard barbecue can create a great ice-breaking event for neighbors to openly get to know each other. Such gatherings help neighbors and neighborhoods find common ground on which to connect. I was invited to one such gathering, to meet a new neighbor, in early August.
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
Good neighboring is an art and, like anything else in life, for some, it takes time to master the ability. I wish all neighborhoods were like that of Mr. Rogers. Fantasy or not, the real-world application is simply based on caring for and helping one another.
Neighboring and neighborhoods have changed so much. In the past, people used to bring their new neighbors casseroles or baked goods, just to introduce themselves and say: “Hi! Welcome to the neighborhood!” Sometimes they’d offer to help with the “move-in” process or some other project. Now and then they’d stop by for a cup of coffee and chat about life.
According to TheSpruce.com [on] Neighborhood Etiquette, neighbors used to share things like tools and garden equipment, so everyone didn’t have to go out and buy expensive items that they didn’t often use. When we are the best neighbors we can be then our neighbors are more likely to do the same, as well as their neighbors and so on.
NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE
An easy way that people can be good neighbors is to take pride in their neighborhood – keep it clean and pleasant looking. Another simple way is to learn their neighbors’ names. Good neighboring is not that difficult nor does it need to take up much time.
We should all get more involved in our neighborhoods and communities. Know who represents you by going to and participating in your neighborhood association or city/township meetings once in a while is important. Attending local events, whenever we’re able, supports our communities and is another good neighboring trait.
NationalDayCalendar.com recommends that, in honor of National Love People Day, like good neighboring, we should all make a special point to “…offer kindness and care to the people in [our] community”. Start small, at home, then spread the compassion throughout your neighborhood, community, state, and so on.
I remember when me and my family first moved to St. Clair from Algonac – one of our new neighbors came over with a casserole that she made for our dinner that evening so Mom didn’t have to worry about making dinner amidst all the unpacking. That made such a wonderful, lasting impression on us.
FROM MOM’S MEMORIES…
Excerpts by Gloria Pitzer, as seen in…
This is not a Cook Book! It’s Gloria Pitzer’s Food for Thought (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Oct. 1986, pp. 50 & 59)
DON’T GIVE UP!
PEOLE NOWADAYS GIVE UP too easily. They’ll donate a dollar to an anonymous recipient of any given charity but won’t give two words to an offended neighbor – the two most important words of successfully living side-by-side: “I’m sorry.”
You don’t throw away the patient because the bandage needs changing. You try again, and again, and again for some common ground of understanding. Otherwise, how will we, as a society, ever be able to love our neighbors across the world, until we’ve first learned to love those across the street? (p. 50)
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
IT’S GOOD TO HAVE good neighbors! I guess that’s why I never want to move from this house. We don’t even know all of our neighbors by name, but we recognize their smiles and respond to their waving when we passed by or see each other in town.
The other day I asked one of the older neighbors on the block where he got his lovely outlook on life, which he said he borrowed from Khalil Gibran: “I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind.” (p. 59)
WELCOME
In the New Testament to the Bible, Mark 12:31 says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s one of the “Ten Commandments”. In fact, it’s the second one, right after loving God. It’s considered to be the “Golden Rule”, by which we should all live.
The concept has been around since long before Jesus and the Bible made it popular. It’s basic human compassion, which is in all of us by nature – but it still needs to be nurtured, as well.
We’re all neighbors and neighbors of neighbors. Yet so many of us put up walls and fences and “No Trespassing” signs to keep others out, instead of welcoming them in and treating them as we’d want to be treated – abiding by the “Golden Rule”. I wish we all lived in Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood.
THE GOLDEN RULE
“IT’S NOT THAT there are really so many grumpy, complaining, critical folks in the world – it’s just that they get more publicity than the good, kind, quiet folks who outnumber them.” – Gloria Pitzer, Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipe Report (Secret Recipe Report, St. Clair, MI; Issue 84, December 1980; p. 3)
There was a time when loving our neighbors and random acts of kindness were, generally, a normal part of everyday life. It was commonplace to help a neighbor, host a neighborhood picnic, read to children, say “hello” and smile at someone, or spend a little time with a lonely soul.
Unfortunately, more often than not, many so-called Christians are missing the concept just because someone is different from them. That’s not what the Bible preaches. And sadly, these days, politicians are increasingly trying to capitalize on this divisiveness to instill fear in people.
However, as in everything else, “Good” will always continue to battle (and win) against “Evil”. That’s what I was raised to believe – and still do. Fortunately, many individuals and non-profit groups are creating websites to teach and promote the “Golden Rule” to everyone. There are angels among us, as my grandma always told me.
This is not a Cook Book! It’s Gloria Pitzer’s Food for Thought (Secret Recipes, St. Clair, MI; Oct. 1986, p. 8)
HAVING A GOOD EXAMPLE
EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE a few good examples to follow at some time in their life. I’m fortunate to have found several… My next door neighbor is one good example to follow.
She’s the one [who’ll] take a cake to a new neighbor, to welcome them. And she’s the one [who’ll] collect for flowers if there’s a death in the neighborhood. She always waves when she sees another neighbor and always smiles. A good example!
My mother is another good example I’ve followed. Her best gift and her greatest asset is that she’s always been a patient listener and a wise advisor. She was absolutely loyal to my father, through all of his mistakes, in each of his blunders.
The world could turn their backs on her children but she would always be there for [us] when we needed her. She’s given me an example that’s going to be tough to equal. In time though, I hope that I can say I’ve had so many good examples to follow – I’ll try to be one, myself, to somebody else.
Love is kind. Kindness is love. Neither actually makes the world go ‘round but they do make the ride more enjoyable. National Love People Day is a fairly new observance, meant “to lift others up”, yet “loving your neighbor” is an old-as-dirt concept.
Any simple act of kindness can do this and being kind is FREE, which is a rare commodity, today. Mom continually tried “to lift others up” in everything she wrote – that was just a part of her and her legacy of love. In fact, her and Dad’s kindheartedness formed friendships everywhere they went.
FRIENDS ARE BLESSINGS
“Friends are a treasure and when we count our blessings we count our friends twice! It’s not possible to have a full and happy life without others to share with, to help when help is needed, to be helped when help is offered.” – Gloria Pitzer, My Cup Runneth Over and I Can’t Find My Mop (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Dec. 1989, p. 100)
I have such a friend. Ron (Rock) Allen is as kindhearted as they come. He recently built a beautiful website “to lift others up”, at Brassheart.studio, with the mantra: “Dig deep, build hope”. From that he created another site for Michiganders over 50 to gather – meeting and socializing online or at promoted events, or to showcase their own talents.
It also includes great Michigan-based stories. Ron recently wrote one about me, Mom, and #MondaysAndMemoriesOfMyMom. Now he’ll be promoting it every week, as I write and post each new entry. Check out MichiganOverFifty.com/stories/recipe-detective-michigan-legacy.
LOVE & KINDNESS
Mom firmly believed and always advocated that small acts of love and kindness can create large, extraordinary transformations. We can connect with anyone through kindheartedness and make a difference in their life, as well as in the lives of people with whom they interact. No matter how big or small, it all matters and it hardly takes any effort or time.
Ordinary gestures of kindness, like saying “thank you”, “good job”, or “I appreciate you”, can positively change someone’s day and cause a ripple effect. Love and kindness improve the mental and physical well-being of everyone who gives and receives them. It’s something we can all easily do.
The Science Of Kindness, at RandomActsOfKindness.org, claims that offering and accepting kindness… “Fuels personal energy and self-esteem… Makes you happier… [Is] good for your heart… [And] helps you live longer…” Acts of kindness can also help us feel valued, whether we’re the giver or the receiver.
It doesn’t cost anything more than a minute of our time to give a compliment or hold a door open for someone. Telling a simple “dad joke” can make someone laugh and lift their spirits. Likewise, being a good listener to someone who needs to talk can also sow love.
Similar the gratitude app that has you stop for a minute every day to express gratitude for at least one thing – anything – you can easily stop for just a minute each day, to do something kind for someone, as well.
However, and most importantly, don’t forget to take a moment every now and then to be kind to yourself, too. We all need it and we can all use it. It’s time to start putting that on our “to do” lists, too.
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. I look forward to hearing from you!
IN CLOSING…
In honor of September, being National Chicken Month, National Italian Cheese Month, National Mushroom Month, National Rice Month, and Whole Grains Month, here’s Mom’s secret recipe for “Green Rice”; as seen in… Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes Newsletter (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; March-April 1987, p. 2). As always, I’m asking only for proper credit if you care to re-share it.
#NationalChickenMonth, #NationalItalianCheeseMonth, #NationalMushroomMonth, #NationalRiceMonth, #WholeGrainsMonth
P.S. Food-for-thought until next Monday…
The month of September observes… Better Breakfast Month, National Americana Month, National Blueberry Popsicle Month, National Courtesy Month, National Honey Month, National Potato Month, National Sewing Month, Self-Improvement Month, and more.
Additionally, since yesterday was the start of the last week of September, it kicked off the start of… National Keep Kids Creative Week and National Fall Foliage Week.
Today is also… National Drink Beer Day, National Strawberry Cream Pie Day, and National North Carolina Day.
Tomorrow is… National Coffee Day and VFW Day.
September 30th is… National Chewing Gum Day and National Hot Mulled Cider Day. Plus, as the last Wednesday in September (for 2026), it’s also… National Women’s Health & Fitness Day.
Thursday begins the month of October, which 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…
Italian-American Heritage Month, National Arts & Humanities Month, NATIONAL BOOK 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.
October 1st is also… National Homemade Cookies Day.
October 2nd is… National Fried Scallops Day. Plus, as the first Friday in October (for 2026), it’s… World Smile Day.
October 3rd, being the first Saturday of October (for 2026), is … National Play Outside Day.
Sunday, October 4th, is… National Cinnamon Bun Day, National Taco Day, and National Vodka Day. Plus, as the start of the first full week in October (for 2026), it’s also the start of… National Chili Week, National Spinning & Weaving Week, and National Newspaper Week.
Have a great week!
…39 down and 13 to go.
