Step inside my virtual front door to celebrate kindness, pop in for a virtual chat and see if you want to accept a doorstep challenge.
Chatting with friends and family on the phone and via social media made me realise how much we value the freedom to interact with each other and strangers. Everyone said they missed daily interaction when out shopping, and even commented on how they loved to chat at the bus stop. To bridge the ugly social distancing gap, I have telephoned people so they can displace anxiety then embark on a happy chat. Others commented on the fact they were going for walks in the countryside, but people were walking metres away from them and it made them feel as if they didn’t exist. Today, I shouted greetings at other people on their walks and loved the smiles beaming at me.
As the books in handbag lady, I considered how books have always been my companion and a welcome escape. I will place books in bags and take them to neighbours who want a collection of good reads to help them escape. A friend here in Cardiff has decided she will bake Welsh cakes, wrap them up beautifully and leave them on neighbour’s doorsteps. Obviously, we will telephone them to see if people want the gifts first.
Other friends are pooling their resources and swap goodies rather than fighting for goods in the supermarkets. Again, we place them on the doorstep. It makes sense and does encourage us to dig deep into the cupboards for those unwanted items. I have found home for all those cosmetic gifts sets I have been storing for years. It’s like Swap Shop all over again, and now I am showing my age. Nod now if you remember that Saturday morning show from the eighties.
Kindness is free so let’s share it. I have left a recipe for you on my virtual doorstep.
Here is a Welsh cake recipe. Feel free to share another recipe via the comment boxes.
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/welsh-cakes
Here is my virtual kindness challenge.
Could you call on someone who is self-isolating and leave them a bag of goodies on their doorstep? The challenge is you can’t buy anything new and must create something from whatever you can spare in your home? Sharing really is caring.
Wishing you all good health! You are always welcome to visit my blog and leave a comment, or you can find me on Facebook and Twitter. I make of point of responding to comments, so there is no need to be alone. I am sending you all a big wave, a smile and hope you’ll grab yourself a coffee and send me a message. Stay safe, everyone and we’ll get by with a little help from our friends!
Please see all my Handbag Adventures and also my website and blog at JessieCahalin.com.
A copy of my novel is available here.
Thank you as ever, lovely J. xxx I started off writing a similar blog but this is far better. xxx We are helping look after our 96-year-old neighbour who was recently discharged from hospital and (rather foolishly but she’s stubborn) told the nurses that she didn’t need any help with care ???? So, home made soup, chats from a safe distance and phone calls are the order of the day. My husband is trying to get her more help as at the moment we are at hers sometimes up to four times per day.
It’s a sticky time for all of us – but there are plenty of positive stories coming out of the mess – not everyone is greedy.
Thank you for cheering us up.
Take care of yourselves and thanks for the recipe.
xx
Thanks for your kind words. You are so kind to help your neighbour and she should be able to get support from Social Services but it is difficult to access it. Maybe go through the lovely lady’s GP if you haven’t already. Yes, lots of positive stories of kindness out there, but please, please take car of yourself.
Thank you Jessie. It is heartening to read of so many kind gestures. I am so thankful for my blog and social media friends support. Also glad to be able to enjoy my garden as well as wide open spaces here in Donegal, but conscious of so many who simply cannot get into Nature right now. Hugs xx
I am always happy when you visit my blog, Brigid. Communication via social media does keep us going and it helps to share. I look forward to seeing the photos of your garden.
Thank you Jessie. I have a garden post scheduled for tomorrow. x
Splendid! Those Welsh cakes look tasty! In my sister’s neighborhood, someone paced jars of flowers on a table for people to take. Nice way to share some cheer. So pleasant to reading your uplifting story- you can’t go it alone!
Welsh cakes are delicious. Why not try the recipe and take Wales to Ohio? The flowers are a wonderful idea.
As usual your post has cheered me up, so thank you Jessie, and for the Welsh Cake recipe which I have printed ot and will try. We walk our lovely Maisie every day and meet up with the other regular dog walkers – all of us smiling and waving from a distance. I have one neighbour who is 80, dosn’t drive and lives in a house which can’t be reached very near by car. We email every day and so far Ihave left her flour from my store cupboard, geraniums potted up from last year and tissues. Today we went to a local farm shop and were delighted that everyone was polite and friendly and kept their distance. Lots of eggs, bread, veggies and cheese (and loo rolls!) on offer but no-one seemed to be taking an excessive amount.Perhaps there is hope after all. Stay safe, Jessie, and keep bloggng
As usual your post has cheered me up, so thank you Jessie, and for the Welsh Cake recipe which I have printed ot and will try. We walk our lovely Maisie every day and meet up with the other regular dog walkers – all of us smiling and waving from a distance. I have one neighbour who is 80, dosn’t drive and lives in a house which can’t be reached very near by car. We email every day and so far Ihave left her flour from my store cupboard, geraniums potted up from last year and tissues. Today we went to a local farm shop and were delighted that everyone was polite and friendly and kept their distance. Lots of eggs, bread, veggies and cheese (and loo rolls!) on offer but no-one seemed to be taking an excessive amount.Perhaps there is hope after all. Stay safe, Jessie, and keep bloggng
Farm shops are great in Sussex and everyone sounds so civilised. We are on the edge of countryside and now I wish I had signed up to the organic boxes. Why didn’t I think of it before? The good thing is that local shops are booming. How wonderful of you to look after your neighbour. Some of my geraniums have survived from last year. Thanks for dropping by. Enjoy the Welsh cakes. let me know how you get on.
Lovely post, keep safe Jessie
Thanks. Wishing you lots of tea and cake.
What a lovely post, Jessie – it’s so heartening to read of such kindness and sharing to brighten people’s lives just now. We received a lovely note through our door yesterday with a phone number to call if we need anything. Seems some people have started a little group to help people out if necessary in my area. My own small contribution during this time is to make three of my e-books free to download for three weeks (different books each week). The first lot were last week and the second lot began yesterday – three more from Friday!
Rosemary, I am thrilled to hear about the community spirit in your area. How wonderful of you to offer your books for free – that is a lovely, kind gesture.
How very heartening. This crisis is bringing out the best in human nature: exactly as happened during the World War. A little empathy goes a long way. Apart from anything else, it was nice to start my day reading this blog. Thank you, Jessie. xxx
John, thanks so much for the lovely message. I am so pleased you enjoyed my blog, and wish I could leave a bag of goodies on your doorstep. Wishing you good health and happy thoughts. Take care! I hope you read the post with a cup of lovely Italian coffee and a delicious breakfast because food always helps the soul.