February 2009 Archives

I wasn't expecting so much pleasure yesterday when a friend and I went to the Garden Show at the Toyota Center at the Fairgrounds. But it wasn't long before we passed the Hively stand, only to back up when we were asked if we would like free neck and shoulder massage, or "chair massage."

Because of constant stress, my neck and shoulder muscles always feel like bricks. So right there, in a funny looking chair where the masseuse changed the face paper and cleaned the chair after each client (did I mention this was FREE?) Vickie went first. I watched garden shots flow across a big screen TV while relaxing music and fragrant flowers surrounded me. There was chocolate in a bowl there. Had I found paradise here on earth. Pretty close, but I had no idea how good until it was my turn for the neck and shoulder massage. He had his work cut out for him, but when my turn was up, I literally felt like a new person. It was instant gratification!! He told us that some people said "no" to the offer. For those of you who did or do, you must enjoy the tight, stiff, stressed out muscles. And, did I mention it was FREE????

I believe the concept is that your own backyard can be a source of stress relief, even if you don't have a full time masseuse at your beck and call. Check it out!

Both my husband and I have begun training to walk dogs at the SPCA so they get a bit of recess and fresh air.

There is nothing like the appreciation a dog gives you for the smallest gesture. Larry had a dog the other day that must be the social butterfly of the shelter "greeting" all the other dogs that were out in the yard.

I believe Blazer was asking the others what they were "in" for, and how long their sentence might be. He may even be the shelter lawyer, we don't know, but we do know he was a lot of fun.

And speaking of walking the dogs, so many unsung heroes to the canines are out there religiously getting the dogs out in the fresh air on a regular basis.

I firmly believe when you enrich the life of a pet, you really enrich the life of the person who adopts them.

This is a small, seemingly insignificant gesture made by a tall gray-haired man at Giant on Pauline Dr. Honestly, I don't live there, even though this is the second entry from there. Anyway, a woman was struggling to get a butter product off the top shelf, but couldn't do it without possibly ending up in the refrigerator case itself.

She asked a gentleman, and that he was, if he would reach the butter for her, which he did with a cordial "sure ma'am." Yep, easy for him, but let's face it, he didn't have to, and she could've ended up IN the butter. PLUS, I believe it was "heart-smart" butter. If she would've had to settle for the regular full-fat butter, her arteries would have suffered as well.

I love being witness to common decency.

I went to a Redbox at the Giant on Pauline Dr. the other day, only to have a technician (I guess that's the correct term) there filling up the movies, and whatever else needs to be done to the machine. I kind of prepared for a bit of a wait, even though I had somewhere else to be. I stood off to the side, only to have the gentleman ask what movie I was looking for. He found it, processed my request, handed me the DVD, told me with a smile to enjoy it and to have a good evening. A small thing, sure. But he didn't have to do that, and so politely and smiling. I really, really appreciated the gesture. Made my day!