Yesterday, December 20, 2016;
(Apologies, no picture, it looked so tasty I forgot)
Nothing special, comfort food, a hot dog, cole slaw and baked beans.
But well presented, seemed to hit the spot.
One of the volunteers present was a 16 year old BHS (Bentonville High School) student, who seemed to know my table companions. This is part of my ongoing personal struggle here, yes, I would not have been (not) introduced to the young lady if I had not sat with them; But the two gentlemen I sat with did never gave me an opportunity to contribute to the discussion. OK, everyone is special and needs an opportunity to tell their story, I have some really compelling current news (My Mother died last Wednesday, December 14, 2016, among other things) and I could have made a material contribution to the discussion of work in the 1970s.
Nope, not an opportunity to say a word.
Oh well.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Monday, November 28, 2016
Thanksgiving Dinner, November 24, 2016
One of the big events in the non-liturgical year at my Church is a community Thanksgiving Dinner.
On Thanksgiving Day. Hooray! Somewhere to go for Thanksgiving Dinner.
It's WONDERFUL. And needed.
Central Methodist Church on New Hope road does Christmas dinner on the same basis. It has not been an issue for me the last three years, I have been spending Christmas with my Mother.
It's a massive undertaking, they deliver to all the unserved meals on wheels and the county sheriff, plus the sit down and take outs. My main concern is the washing up from the sit down portion, this year I counted 155 plates through the dish washer. Plus all the silverware, desert plates, etc.
A LOT of church people eating dinner, when I took a quick peak out the kitchen door.
Just wanted to record the number somewhere for next year, 155. Will try and add a number for carry outs (by RSVP, starting at 1:00) later in the week. Carry outs sort of got out of control a couple of years ago, thus the requirement for reservations. The Kitchen still had to fend off requests from the dining room for "to go" boxes, it turns out we had just about the right quantity of food. A couple of unclaimed carry outs left in the refrigerator.
For some reason we ran out of Gravy, it's either too much or too little. This year someone accidently bumped the stove and burned the second pot.
On Thanksgiving Day. Hooray! Somewhere to go for Thanksgiving Dinner.
It's WONDERFUL. And needed.
Central Methodist Church on New Hope road does Christmas dinner on the same basis. It has not been an issue for me the last three years, I have been spending Christmas with my Mother.
It's a massive undertaking, they deliver to all the unserved meals on wheels and the county sheriff, plus the sit down and take outs. My main concern is the washing up from the sit down portion, this year I counted 155 plates through the dish washer. Plus all the silverware, desert plates, etc.
A LOT of church people eating dinner, when I took a quick peak out the kitchen door.
Just wanted to record the number somewhere for next year, 155. Will try and add a number for carry outs (by RSVP, starting at 1:00) later in the week. Carry outs sort of got out of control a couple of years ago, thus the requirement for reservations. The Kitchen still had to fend off requests from the dining room for "to go" boxes, it turns out we had just about the right quantity of food. A couple of unclaimed carry outs left in the refrigerator.
For some reason we ran out of Gravy, it's either too much or too little. This year someone accidently bumped the stove and burned the second pot.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Volunteering
(Originally written in September 2015, Draft never published?)
Once again somebody suggested that I volunteer somewhere.
Where exactly? Most of the local organizations actively soliciting volunteers either want people to do customer service (Not something I sparkle at), pure grunt labor (If I was better at that, my yard would not be a major project for some other volunteer agency....) OR are dominated by true believing FOX news watchers. Or all of the above.
Oh, and the religious organizations with a pro-life agenda.
Especially the part about FOX news.
Sure, I could drive down to the VA a couple of times a week (Still too many FOX news watchers)
Right now, this evening (9/1/2015) there is a "Handicapped Veteran" truck in the parking lot at the library liberally bedecked with Tom Cotton and anti-Obama stickers. The only thing missing is the streaming Confederate battle flag. Someone else who missed some of the essential lessons of "The Great Society in Camouflage" (Thomas E. Ricks, The Atlantic Monthly, December 1996). Nineteen years. Two Wars, one and a half military intellectual generations. Something for one of my other blogs.
Also the issue of the Gas and wear and tear on my vehicle.
Useful suggestions would be appreciated in the comments.
Once again somebody suggested that I volunteer somewhere.
Where exactly? Most of the local organizations actively soliciting volunteers either want people to do customer service (Not something I sparkle at), pure grunt labor (If I was better at that, my yard would not be a major project for some other volunteer agency....) OR are dominated by true believing FOX news watchers. Or all of the above.
Oh, and the religious organizations with a pro-life agenda.
Especially the part about FOX news.
Sure, I could drive down to the VA a couple of times a week (Still too many FOX news watchers)
Right now, this evening (9/1/2015) there is a "Handicapped Veteran" truck in the parking lot at the library liberally bedecked with Tom Cotton and anti-Obama stickers. The only thing missing is the streaming Confederate battle flag. Someone else who missed some of the essential lessons of "The Great Society in Camouflage" (Thomas E. Ricks, The Atlantic Monthly, December 1996). Nineteen years. Two Wars, one and a half military intellectual generations. Something for one of my other blogs.
Also the issue of the Gas and wear and tear on my vehicle.
Useful suggestions would be appreciated in the comments.
Sunday Dinner (Resuming)
Ate at the "Community Meal" Sunday, Spaghetti. It was "OK", two Stars?
Maybe I will resume regular reporting.
They made a good professional effort, and had plenty.
The one other person I sat with also remembered the Homemade Lasagna six months ago.
Not every meal can be great like that.
I already had a surfeit of leftovers from the veteran luncheon (see previous post).
I enjoyed talking to some of this group volunteers from Oakley Chapel. I was fashionably late at around 5:10, the meal site is officially open from 4:00-6:00 PM, carry out available from 5:30. They reported a capacity crowd from 4:00 to 4:30.
Maybe I will resume regular reporting.
They made a good professional effort, and had plenty.
The one other person I sat with also remembered the Homemade Lasagna six months ago.
Not every meal can be great like that.
I already had a surfeit of leftovers from the veteran luncheon (see previous post).
I enjoyed talking to some of this group volunteers from Oakley Chapel. I was fashionably late at around 5:10, the meal site is officially open from 4:00-6:00 PM, carry out available from 5:30. They reported a capacity crowd from 4:00 to 4:30.
Veterans Day Church Luncheon
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Nothing spectacular, comfort food, Chili Dogs and Macaroni and Cheese. Very high quality items (Nathan's Hot Dogs, Donated), Homemade Chili and Mac & Cheese.
And everyone had a nice bit of social time,
Posting here to document the number served for next year, 68 plus 9 Staff and Early plates (I washed them), approximately twelve take outs, total served 89 (?);
Interesting, the 77 total is the same number of plates from last Wednesdays Fellowship Dinner, which was boosted from the normal sixty odd by some kind of meeting,
Nothing spectacular, comfort food, Chili Dogs and Macaroni and Cheese. Very high quality items (Nathan's Hot Dogs, Donated), Homemade Chili and Mac & Cheese.
And everyone had a nice bit of social time,
Posting here to document the number served for next year, 68 plus 9 Staff and Early plates (I washed them), approximately twelve take outs, total served 89 (?);
Interesting, the 77 total is the same number of plates from last Wednesdays Fellowship Dinner, which was boosted from the normal sixty odd by some kind of meeting,
Monday, August 1, 2016
More Confederate Battleflags
Driving past my front door.
Saturday Afternoon?
I live at the head of a half mile or so cull de sac/dead end.
So at least one household down there is composed of, er, um.
A couple of years ago the County Drug Task Force found a Meth Lab down there.
Are they back?
Saturday Afternoon?
I live at the head of a half mile or so cull de sac/dead end.
So at least one household down there is composed of, er, um.
A couple of years ago the County Drug Task Force found a Meth Lab down there.
Are they back?
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Confederat Flag Sighting
On the way into town this afternoon, July 5, 2018.
Actually, it is a rare day when I DON'T see at least one example of someone driving around with a streaming confederate battle flag on their vehicle.
And the total inability to dialog with those individuals.
And the gentleman who was in the "Library" (another story for another forum...) at the senior center this afternoon and mentioned our "Muslim" President, to general remarks of approval.
Actually, it is a rare day when I DON'T see at least one example of someone driving around with a streaming confederate battle flag on their vehicle.
And the total inability to dialog with those individuals.
And the gentleman who was in the "Library" (another story for another forum...) at the senior center this afternoon and mentioned our "Muslim" President, to general remarks of approval.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Dinner Report
Sunday, June 26th
Meatball Sub Casserole and Salad; Cake or Rice Krispies Treats for Desert.
Decent crowd for summer, all the regular patrons as far as I could tell.
Meatball Sub Casserole and Salad; Cake or Rice Krispies Treats for Desert.
Decent crowd for summer, all the regular patrons as far as I could tell.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Why no Dinner Reports?
I was out of town for much of March thru May.
The "Community Meal" On Sunday evenings has going just fine, I will attempt to post promptly Monday about this Sunday.
The "Community Meal" On Sunday evenings has going just fine, I will attempt to post promptly Monday about this Sunday.
Mission Trip (More on "Volunteer Ecology")
No, not mine;
A large group of High School Age kids, seen wandering around the local mall.
It turns out they are from Blue Springs, Missouri. On a Mission Trip, worked in the NW Arkansas Food Bank yesterday, today they are working in the "Samaritan Thrift Store." The mall is essentially "Dead" mall, there is an enormous amount of excess retail space locally. And something to do with Laundry this evening, and Yard work tomorrow. All while living in Bella Vista.
Nothing wrong with any of those activities, although I am not sure about Laundry services on a Saturday evening; I go to the Laundromat on Saturday evening because I have the place pretty much to myself then.
Still, why is this, one of the "best" performing counties (economically) in Arkansas a suitable destination for a "Mission" trip. My church High School kids went to the Arkansas Delta last spring. Yes, we have significant numbers of desperately poor residents here in Benton county Arkansas, but there are plenty of local resources to address their needs.
Just another minor addition to my earlier post about "Volunteer Ecology" (January 31).
A large group of High School Age kids, seen wandering around the local mall.
It turns out they are from Blue Springs, Missouri. On a Mission Trip, worked in the NW Arkansas Food Bank yesterday, today they are working in the "Samaritan Thrift Store." The mall is essentially "Dead" mall, there is an enormous amount of excess retail space locally. And something to do with Laundry this evening, and Yard work tomorrow. All while living in Bella Vista.
Nothing wrong with any of those activities, although I am not sure about Laundry services on a Saturday evening; I go to the Laundromat on Saturday evening because I have the place pretty much to myself then.
Still, why is this, one of the "best" performing counties (economically) in Arkansas a suitable destination for a "Mission" trip. My church High School kids went to the Arkansas Delta last spring. Yes, we have significant numbers of desperately poor residents here in Benton county Arkansas, but there are plenty of local resources to address their needs.
Just another minor addition to my earlier post about "Volunteer Ecology" (January 31).
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Walmart Follies
Recently I had occasion to check the clearance rack for women's fleece in Walmart.
The rack was prominently marked "$7 each", but when I get to checkout I am charged the original $9.97; And looking on line today, the clearance price is $6.00. This is beyond dynamic pricing, I did not make an issue at checkout BUT, why Customers are disenchanted with Walmart.
Oh well, at least the gift was a hit.
Volunteer Ecology
Just a couple of quick observations on the social ecology of Volunteers. Many charitable enterprises rely on volunteer labor for most of their endeavors. My particular observation today is that sometimes they will create jobs for themselves to their own tastes, not what the organization really needs done.
Case in point, the myriad of volunteer servers at all the local Soup Kitchens. Most of them could probably function just as well with half the labor.
Another more immediate observation is that at the Sunday evening "Community Meal", the parking immediately in front of the entrance seems to be filled with volunteer cars. It's not a real big event so it is not a major issue. But I am unable to raise it without seeming shrill and unappreciative of all the volunteer efforts.
Case in point, the myriad of volunteer servers at all the local Soup Kitchens. Most of them could probably function just as well with half the labor.
Another more immediate observation is that at the Sunday evening "Community Meal", the parking immediately in front of the entrance seems to be filled with volunteer cars. It's not a real big event so it is not a major issue. But I am unable to raise it without seeming shrill and unappreciative of all the volunteer efforts.
Monday, January 25, 2016
Sunday Dinner #11
Some interesting things last Sunday (January 17, 2016) but that was last week... (Chili, very tasty).
Yesterday (January 24, 2016) was particularly good, meatloaf (Bacon wrapped?) (Someday I will learn to read the menu board), Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans. Cake for desert, chocolate for me.
An opportunity to eat a full, tasty balanced meal.
What's not to like?
Yesterday (January 24, 2016) was particularly good, meatloaf (Bacon wrapped?) (Someday I will learn to read the menu board), Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans. Cake for desert, chocolate for me.
An opportunity to eat a full, tasty balanced meal.
What's not to like?
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