Thursday, December 19, 2019

More Than a Simple Exchange (Six Sentence Story), Holiday Decor (Good Fences), At the Mall (Sammy’s Poetry Day) and Brian’s Thankful Thursday

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With it being the holidays and all, sometimes she received more from her clients than just the simple exchange of payment for her services, and there was a predictable pattern to these extras that followed an odd logic of their own, and it was simply this:  The wealthier the client, the less she got.

The ones to whom she gave a price break because she knew they were desperate for help and really could not afford it tried to give her bounteous remembrances of the season, if not in monetary cost, then in number of items, many taken from their own homes.

Those in the middle gave a sum of money, generally a generous percentage of the wage they paid, commensurate to their means, and sometimes just a bit above what she knew they should be spending.

The more affluent gave money that was not at all commensurate to their means nor anywhere near the “one full day’s wage” that the experts in the tipping community said was the normal amount (and she wondered who in the world made that up anyway, she didn’t expect that much), but which percentage wise in comparison to her day’s wage was less than what those in the middle gave.

Her wealthiest client always gave something small and often a bit tacky; one year it was a pad of paper and pen set with the logo of a local team, a coupon good for 20%  off your entire purchase at a thrift store, and sample size bottles of shampoo and conditioner.

Yes, this played out exactly the same way every year, and every year she simply laughed and accepted what came her way, grateful for any gift and the spirit behind it, as well as for the bit of insight into human nature that this yearly ritual afforded.


Linking up with Denise at Girlie On The Edge Blog, where she hosts Six Sentence Stories, and the cue is Exchange.       


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Gosia at Looking for Identity has taken over Good Fences, and it's now Good Fences Around The World.  Post a picture of a fence or gate, link back to her blog, and go visit other blogs to see what interesting fences there are out in this big world.      

More Christmas fences:






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It's Angel Sammy's Poetry Day This week's image and my poem:    



I lost her about 3 stores back,
I’m pretty sure we are on track
To spend more than ever before
She loves to give gifts galore.

The parents, grandparents, siblings and aunts,
Uncles and cousins and children all dance
With anticipation, they know her delight
At giving each a gift that is just right.

Meanwhile, I stand here looking a bit goofy,
Holding all these bags, so girly and floofy,
Every man shakes his head as he passes by,
Probably thinking, “I’m glad I’m not that guy!”


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Brian of Brian's Home hosts the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.   It's time to share something for which i am thankful.  

The Big Boss, for whom Sweetie still does odd jobs, bought us a Christmas gift.  It was tickets to a very exclusive jazz band concert, which we attended last night.  Talk about a treat, and i am very thankful for his kindness, as well as for Ms. R, my client, who loaned me clothing so i would be dressed appropriately.


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Today is:

Build a Snowman Day -- occupy your mind, as Christmas seems too far away still; if you have no snow, make snowball cookies

Chocolate Pizza Day -- if you’ve never tried it, do so!

E-Mail Santa Claus Just in Case He Didn't Get Your Letter Day -- you can sent it over here    

Festival for Juventas -- Ancient Roman Calendar (goddess of youth, protector of young soldiers)

Icelandic Yuletide Lad of the Day, Skyrgamur -- Curd-glutton, who loves skyr (milk curd) so that he sneaks in the pantry to try to get it all

I've Got My Big Fat Guy Pants On Day -- someone tired of tight clothes started this, a day to wear whatever you like, so long as it is comfortable -- and roomy

Look for an Evergreen Day -- although if you haven't bought your tree by now, you may have waited too long

National Hard Candy Day -- this time of year, it probably means candy canes

National Heroes and Heroines Day -- Anguilla

National Oatmeal Muffin Day

Opalia -- Roman Empire (feast of Ops, goddess of abundance; 3rd day of the Saturnalia)

Riddle-Making Trials -- Fairy Calendar

Robinson Crusoe Rescue Day (1686)

St. Bernard Valeara's Day (Patron of Teramo, Italy)

St. Samthann (Samantha) of Meath's Day (Patron of the spiritual life)

Thorn Cutting Ceremony -- Glastonbury, Somerset, England (a sprig from the tree supposedly planted by Joseph of Arimathea is cut, with great ceremony by the eldest child of St John’s Infant School, and sent to the Queen, to decorate her table on Christmas Day)

United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation -- UN


Anniversary Today:

First radio broadcast from space, a Christmas greeting from President Eisenhower, 1958


Birthdays Today:

Jake Gyllenhall, 1980
Alyssa Milano, 1972
Tyson Beckford, 1971
Amy Locane, 1971
Kristy Swanson, 1969
Criss Angel, 1967
Jessica Steen, 1965
Jennifer Beals, 1963
Kevin Edward McHale, 1957
Janie Fricke, 1952
Robert Urich, 1946
Richard Leakey, 1944
Alvin Lee, 1944
Tim Reid, 1944
Cicely Tyson, 1939
Al Kaline, 1934
David Susskind, 1920
Leonid Brezhnev, 1906
Ralph Richardson, 1902
Carter Godwin Woodson, 1875
Minnie Maddern Fiske, 1865
Mary Ashton Livermore, 1821
William Edward Parry, 1790


Debuting/Premiering Today:

Titanic(Film), 1997
The Man with the Golden Gun(Film), 1974
"Homecoming A Christmas Story"(TV introduction of "The Waltons"), 1971
"The Music Man"(Musical), 1957
"A Christmas Carol"(publication date), 1843
"American Crisis"(publication date of the Thomas Paine essay in which he wrote, "These are the times that try men's souls."), 1776
"Poor Richard's Almanack" (publication of first issue by Benjamin Franklin), 1732


Today in History:

Licinius abdicates his position as Roman Emperor, 324
The Seldjuken under Toghril Beg occupy Baghdad, 1055
The Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery depart England carrying settlers who found, at Jamestown, Virginia, the first of the thirteen colonies that became the United States, 1606
The Plymouth, Rhode Island, Massachusetts Bay, and Connecticut colonies combine forces and attach the Great Swamp Fort of the Narragansetts during King Philip's War, 1675
Benjamin Franklin, under the name Richard Saunders begins publication of "Poor Richard's Almanack", 1732
Thomas Paine publishes his first "American Crisis" essay, in which he wrote that "These are the times that try men's souls," 1776
Chinese troops occupy the capital Thang Long Vietnam, 1788
The US state of Kentucky becomes the first to appropriate money for road building, 1795
The US state of Georgia becomes the first to pass a birth registration law, 1823
Allen Wilson of Connecticut patents a sewing machine that can sew a curved seam, 1854
Albert L. Jones patents corrugated cardboard, 1871
The first black US Catholic priest, Charles Uncles, is ordained in Baltimore, 1891
The first city ordinance requiring separate neighborhoods for blacks and whites is passed, in Baltimore, 1910
Robert Ripley begins his "Believe It Or Not" column in the NY Globe, 1918
The British Broadcasting Corp begins transmitting overseas, 1932
The US Earth satellite Atlas transmitted the first radio voice broadcast from space, 1958
The last manned lunar flight, Apollo 17, returns to earth, 1972
The Sino-British Joint Declaration, stating that the People's Republic of China, in 1997, would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, is signed, 1984
Mikhail Gorbachev, leader of the Soviet Union, releases Andrei Sakharov and his wife from internal exile in Gorky, 1986
A record high barometric pressure of 1085.6 hPa (32.06 inHg) is recorded at Tosontsengel, Khövsgöl Province, Mongolia, 2001
Russian spacecraft, Soyuz TMA-07M, is launched in Kazakhstan, with cosmonauts Roman Romanenko, Chris Hadfield and Thomas Marshburn for the ISS Expedition 34 and 35 crews, 2012

20 comments:

  1. I have seen that rule come into play as well. And admire your generous attitude.

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  2. You are amazing with your fences. I like the metal ones. Thank you.

    God bless.

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  3. The world is full of very generous as well as very stingy people. So nice of Sweetie's boss to present you a Christmas gift and you both enjoyed it very much. Those are pretty fences.

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  4. Wow, that took me back - I used to love reading "Believe It Or Not" books when I was a kid.
    Glad you enjoyed the concert!

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  5. Thank you mimi! I never knew there was a word 'floofy.'
    The poem fits the pic so well!

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  6. totally charming Six*

    *and, not that I needed validation, but totally underscores what I wrote a few TToTs ago about certain hostinae

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  7. grateful for any gift and the spirit behind it...says it all...sadly some folks don't understand the joy of giving. great six, great fences, and "floofy!!!" Merry Christmas.

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  8. After MaryLou & I married, for our first Christmas she gave me underwear and socks as part of my gifts. I was a little upset because I thought I could get that anytime. Boy was I stupid at the time. Those where the most wonderful gifts that she could have given me. Gifts are those that come from the heart no matter what they are. The best gift is the one that someone gives you from LOVE. Merry Christmas Mimi

    Cruisin Paul

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  9. Great 6 SS and neat fence photos ^_^

    Happy Moments to You,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  10. Love the holiday fences and the poem! Happy Holidays.

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  11. I find that those that have done the work you do are much more prone to tip better. I worked as a waitress for many years and we tip well. I know how hard it is to be running all day long. I would go home and soak my feet. And I was young. I can't imagine doing that work now.

    Have a fabulous day, my friend. ♥

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  12. I guess that's how wealthy people get (and stay) wealthy.
    I love to see a guy patiently holding packages (or purse) belonging to his beloved. So sweet!

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  13. That is quite the story, truth is stranger that fiction for sure. That was a very cute poem and a very nice thankful and I'm happy you both enjoyed the concert. Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

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  14. Very true about how tipping seems to go. Nice festive fences. Great poem. I am glad you got to go to a nice jazz concert.

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  15. I feel sorry for the man with all the bags, but she's sure to find him again if he just stays in place so she can backtrack her movements.

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  16. There is such clarity to your writing. And a kindness regardless of topic. Good Six.
    I also enjoyed everything else too! The gift of music is a wonderful gift. Hope you had a great time :)

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  17. I like that gate! I'd hate for someone to give me shampoo samples, probably lifted from a hotel.

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  18. I like how the speaker was never judgmental or snarky regarding her observations. A lovely Six!

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  19. Aaah tipping is for sure an interesting exchange. Lovely six!

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