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, I hope this brings you a happy Monday.
This Saturday, being the fourth one in October (for 2026), is… National Make A Difference Day. 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.
To honor the day, organize or participate in a local park cleanup or assist a senior in your area. You can also donate your time, money, and/or “stuff” to local charities. You can also make a difference one-on-one, instead of through a group. Big or small, every one of us can make a difference through acts of kindheartedness.
This is another one of those observances that we should really do on a DAILY basis. It’s very similar to the observances of February’s 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.
DO SOMETHING NICE
It hardly takes much effort or time. Being kind and doing something nice doesn’t cost anything more than that. Yet kindness is deemed a priceless commodity. Simple ordinary acts of compassion create extraordinary transformations – a greeting, a smile, a compliment, a listening ear – they all have ripple effects.
Kindness helps others feel valued. That can make a big difference in someone’s day or even their life. Showing just the smallest amount of kindness goes a long way because it’s contagious. It effects the giver and the receiver, as well as those with whom they interact and so-on, producing a positive difference with a ripple effect to the “nth” degree.
I remember Mom volunteering her skills annually for the Algonac Schools PTA and Dad was a proud member of the Lions Club for many decades. Their motto says it all: “We serve.” They’re 109 years old and the world’s largest service organization, having more than 1.4 million members and 46,000 local clubs in 200 countries.
KINDNESS CHALLENGE
As a young mother, I also volunteered my time for several years in many local non-profit organizations. I was a group leader and board member for our local Campfire Boys & Girls Club. I was also a member of the Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary and the St. Clair Women’s League, as well as being a member of the PTA, like Mom.
Social media platforms are so common these days, we have an enormous platform from which we can reach out to others and promote making a positive difference in a seemingly negative world, using kindness. Social media “challenges” are always popular so create a viral volunteer challenge that can make a difference.
I’ve shared the following timeless, 7-day “kindness challenge” before. It’s from an article on StarTribune.com, called Why Being Kind Makes You Healthier, by Chrystle Fiedler (July 24, 2019):
“Try the seven-day kindness challenge: That means, do at least one act of kindness every day for seven days. Ground rules: Do something different each day; push yourself out of your comfort zone at least once and be sure one of your acts of kindness is anonymous – no one should ever find out who did it.”
KINDHEARTED
My friend, Ron (Rock) Allen, is as kindhearted as they come. He always volunteering to help others and make a difference. Mom would’ve liked him a lot. He recently built a beautiful website at Brassheart.studio that’s meant to lift others up. His mantra is: “Dig deep, build hope”.
He also created another site in which Michiganders over 50 can gather, simply called MichiganOverFifty.com. It’s for people to meet and socialize online or at promoted events, or to showcase their own talents. It includes educational, inspiring and enriching Michigan-based stories. Ron recently wrote a great story about me, Mom, and this blog series.
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!
BE THE DIFFERENCE
In all of her books and newsletters – in between all of the recipes, jokes, and household tips – Mom always added her own editorials and food-for-thought snippets (like those above) about the importance of being kind to each other and making a positive difference in someone else’s life.
It was always a daily, personal and professional goal of hers to make a positive difference. Mom believed, “to make a difference, [we need to] be the difference”. “Making a difference” means various things to different people. Basically, it’s about doing something that has a positive impact or effect on people or situations.
HAVING A GOOD EXAMPLE
Everyone should have at least one good example to follow at some time in their life. My mom is a good example, who I’ve followed, just as her mom was for her. Their best gift and greatest asset was that they were always patient listeners and wise advisors.
The world could turn their backs on their children, but they would always be there when needed. 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.
Remember the importance of setting a good example. The things we do each day influences others. Good deeds are not always rewarded and we shouldn’t expect rewards for doing good, but isn’t it nice when appreciation is shown – even in simple words, like “thank you”? I appreciate being appreciated. It makes me feel good and want to give even more.
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!
BE KIND
Being kind is an essential part of an evolved and growing community and society. It bridges divides like race, religion, gender, and politics. Plus, it provides many physical and mental health benefits, which also make a difference.
The Science Of Kindness claims, kindness… “Fuels personal energy and self-esteem… Makes you happier… [Is] good for your heart… [And] helps you live longer.”
WORDS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
There’s no doubt that our words, as well as our service, can and do make a difference – in relationships, neighborhoods, communities, and society, in general. Mom wrote about making a difference all the time in her newsletters and cookbooks.
Tucked in between all of her famous secret recipes (that were “food for the table”), and her editorials (that were “food for thought”), she squeezed in many affirmations and words of encouragement (that were “food for the soul”).
The “giving season” is just around the corner. Try giving your words. Spoken or written, use your words to build relationships, encourage others, inspire someone, and seek or give forgiveness – just to name some helpful examples. Mom always loved James Keller’s words: “A candle loses nothing in lighting another candle.”
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 TODAY, being National Seafood Bisque Day (AND since it’s National Seafood Month), here’s Mom’s copycat recipe for imitating… “Joe Muer’s Oyster Bisque”; as seen in her self-published cookbook, The Original 200 Plus Secret Recipes© Book (Secret RecipesTM, Marysville, MI; June 1997, p. 21). As always, I’m asking only for proper credit if you care to re-share it.
#NationalSeafoodBisqueDay, #NationalSeafoodMonth, #NationalBookMonth, #NationalCookbookMonth
P.S. Food-for-thought until next Monday…
The month of October observes a lot of things, including… Eat Better & Eat Together Month, German-American Heritage Month, Halloween Safety Month, Italian-American Heritage Month, National Apple Month, National Applejack Month, National Arts & Humanities Month, National Bake and Decorate Month, National Caramel Month, NATIONAL BOOK MONTH, NATIONAL COOKBOOK MONTH, National Chili Month, National Cookie Month, National Dessert Month, National Fire Prevention Month…
#NationalBookMonth, #NationalCookbookMonth, #GloriaPitzersCookbook
Plus, National Kitchen & Bath Month, National Pasta Month, National Pickled Peppers Month, National Pizza Month, National Popcorn Poppin’ Month, National Pork Month, National Pretzel Month, National Reading Group Month, National Sausage Month, National Women’s Small Business Month, National Work and Family Month, Pear and Pineapple Month, Polish-American Heritage Month, Positive Attitude Month, Rhubarb Month, Self-Promotion Month, Spinach Lovers Month, Tackling Hunger Month, Vegetarian Month, and more.
Today is also… National Kentucky Day. Plus, as the third Monday in October (for 2026), it’s also… National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day.
Tomorrow is… International Chefs Day and National Brandied Fruit Day.
October 21st is… National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day. Plus, as the third Wednesday in October (for 2026), it’s also… Hagfish Day and Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce.
Thursday, October 22nd, is… National Make a Dog’s Day, National Nut Day, and National Color Day.
Friday, October 23rd, is… National Boston Cream Pie Day and National TV Talk Show Host Day (and Johnny Carson’s birthday).
October 24th is… National Food Day and National Bologna Day.
October 25th is… National Greasy Food Day. Plus, as the fourth Sunday in October (for 2026), it’s also… National Mother-in-Law Day.
Have a great week!
…42 down and 10 to go.
