Kindness - Giving And Receiving - Getting Off The Grid

 

 

On this journey of mine I am learning more than I could have ever expected to learn and one thing that I am receiving is kindness for the small things I do but I never expected anything back. Kindness, giving and receiving. Getting off the grid is more than just the homestead, living off what you grow and getting solar power and well water. What people see on T.V. is just what the how wants to show the public, yes they do show some struggles but they never show how much you get back when you share what you have, no matter how small or big.

I am not passive nor aggressive toward people, I treat each person differently because we are not all the same. Some require more attention than others, some give and want nothing in return, some want everything and will not give anything. That is just how this world works.

The past month I have been blown away by the acts of kindness I have received for the little acts of kindness I have shown, I will have to admit its all been from men but they are all elderly men, with wives, except one.

 

 

Midday yesterday I got a call from a number I did not know, so thinking it was one of those calls, Tony answered doing the crazy voice but it was another man that we know, the apple and pear tree man. He had called telling us we could have all those small peaches if we wanted to try and make something AND he has me some jars. I was shaking my head yes to those peaches while Tony was still on the phone so he would say yes. When I got there the jars are new and still in the box! I had assumed they were the jars coming back from me sending food, I told him " you did not have to buy me any jars!" and he said " I feel bad I have so many of your jars now still filled with food." Then while I was there he told me that in a couple weeks, when ripe, I could have his muscadines and other fruits! This  older man lives alone, I do not know what happened to his wife but I know all his children live in other states, he told me he has one daughter and had wishes all his children was girls :)

 

 

Tony called the man who plowed the field back in the spring, I fed him a good meal and sent a plate of food home with him, I also sent my home canned fruit spreads and relishes. He asked for no money, just a favor if patching his roof that is leaking by the chimney. Well Tony got sick and has not been able to fix that for him but Tony still calls him, last night he wanted to talk to me so I took the phone and I was asked " what size jars do you use?" I explained that I use all sizes but for the most part pint jars for vegetables and half pints for jams and jellies. He told me he has my jars but they got mixed in with their jars and then he said " I may just bring ALL the jars to you." I was blown away! I told him they would get used and that I would send some back filled with foods.

 

 

The fig man. I send a little produce every now and then and out of no where he gives me his figs. I know that they, him and his wife, have been sick with heart problems and both are diabetic now. They want nothing back but I send jars of pickled eggs and things that are not sweet, but they have always expected the Christmas cookies!

So, the old saying is true! What you put out now, kindness and giving freely from your heart, will come back to you when you least expect it.

 

 

Now what to make with all those small peaches? Pickled? Peach butter? peach jelly?

By Andria Perry

Photos By Andria Perry