Happy and Blue 2

There is a Canadian Armed Forces Base near where I live. As such the Base runs training programs in my city on a regular basis.

On Saturday when I was out there were two soldiers walking down the street, both dressed in camouflage uniforms. The camouflage wasn’t working. It’s still Winter here and the uniforms were for Summer. But that’s beside the point.

What struck me about these two soldiers was that the one in the front was a big man. And following behind him was a small woman with a huge pack on her back.

If the pack she was carrying was set beside her it probably would have been 2/3 of her height. And it was almost as wide as she was.

She was bent quite far forward. It looked like each step was a struggle.

I watched the two of them until the light changed from red to green and then I drove past them.

The man in the lead was a big guy. He probably could have carried her and the pack she carried.

But he didn’t. He just kept walking. And she kept following.

The incident made me wonder why. Why was the man not helping her? I would have. Doesn’t one of the rules about being a man clearly state that the man has to carry stuff for the woman?

I don’t know Armed Forces ways. So I concluded that this was a training exercise.
He wasn’t helping her carry her load because she needed to do this.

He was helping her by walking with her. So she could achieve a goal. One that he probably had achieved a long time ago.

But I’m usually wrong?

Do you think the male soldier was helping by letting her carry the load or was just being a jerk by not helping the female soldier?

When you are trying to learn something new do you feel bitter when your “helper” doesn’t seem to be helping? Or do you just want them to guide you and let you learn by doing it yourself?

Midge liked deals. A lot. She was the kind of person who would search endlessly through magazines and newspapers for deals. And she took advantage of all of them. Oh yes she did.

Midge’s motto was “A deal in mind saves nine” which makes no sense really but Midge was about deals, not sense. She was about saving a few cents though. And she often smelled scents if they were on sale and involved a product she might use.

Anyways, it was a typical Tuesday, like it is today. And Midge was looking to save money. Like she always did.

And today there was a sale on safety pins which she desperately needed. Two bags for the price of one. Two whole bags (more…)

“There’s nothing to do.” said Charlie. “I’m so bored.”

“Did you finish your homework?” said his Mother.

“I don’t have any homework.” replied Charlie. “Dotty is in school. She gets homework. I’m only 5.”

“Are you sure?” said Charlie’s Mother. “I thought Dotty was only 5 and you were in school.”

Charlie’s Mother had two children so she often lost track of who was who and what was what. That’s the problem with having more than one child. (more…)

Jenny had always had a cup of tea as soon as she woke up. Right after she went to the bathroom. And ate her breakfast. And did her housework. And finished watching a few soap operas, which really don’t have anything to do with singing opera, or using soap while singing opera for that matter, on her television.

But first thing in the morning, at about 2pm, she had a cup of tea.

So, it was quite a shock to Jenny when she went to get a tea bag from her tea bag holding thing and there weren’t any left.

“Auuuuggghhh!” said Jenny. “Where are all my tea bags?” (more…)

What’s better than chocolate?
Nothing..

But what is close?

Seeing yourself on Google Street View..

Daphne wondered why she had slept so late. She knew the ducks were flying south for the winter in November.

But now here it was February and she had just woke up.

“What the quack!” she yelled. “Where’s my flocking quack?”
Daphne often mixed up her quacks and words when she was upset.

Of course the flock was gone. (more…)

When Grizella was younger she used to go to the brook every morning and look at her reflection in the water.

She liked what she saw of course. Being young and somewhat naive she thought she was beautiful. And she lived in the country away from other children so she only had herself to compare her own appearance to.

Her parents Lumpy and Dumpy had only one child and to them she was the most beautiful thing either of them had ever seen. But they had also lived in the country most of their lives and had seen few children in the past seventeen years since Grizella had been born.

Grizella was a very smart child. She was home schooled of course. And she always got straight A+’s in all her subjects.

She was the best person on her soccer team. The best on her basketball team. The best skater. The best dancer.

Being home schooled has advantages that way. Although winning trophies for sports where you are the only participant seems suspect.

When Grizella turned eighteen she decided to move out of home and attend University.

Her parents were sad to see her leave but were extremely proud of her. After all she had taken the lead in her home school play and was the school president, home coming queen and graduation valedictorian.

With Grizella’s background one would assume that she would likely run into problems in University.

After all, she never had spent time with people her own age. And the large city where the University was located was far from her home in the country.

But as it turned out Grizella actually was attractive. And smart and athletic.
She was popular with everyone she met. She continued to excel.

When she was graduating she was asked to speak to her fellow graduates. The topic was to be her choice.

Grizella spoke about the importance of confidence in oneself. And of the need to develop a group of people who support you and nourish that confidence.

For Grizella the support came from her parents.

Was Grizella really the prettiest girl. Probably not.
Was she really the smartest. Or best at athletics. Probably not.

But she had something everyone who aspires to greatness needs.
She had her people who believed in her. Who supported and nourished her growth.

For an audio version of this post done by someone who shall remain nameless at their request:
successrequiressupport

Who supports and nourishes you?