The Basket Lady

Basket Lady’s fun fact or folklore, you choose. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the New Moon will arrive on the tenth and for lunar gardeners; the best time to start seeds for annuals and leafy vegetables is between the new and first quarter Moons. But, on the twelfth, if the sun smiles on St. Eulalie’s day, it is good for apples and cider, they say.

And, if you really want to give your sweet heart something long lasting on Valentine’s Day, forget the red roses and do both of you a favor by giving your special one a lavender plant instead.

After the soil warms, it can be moved outside to a sunny spot. Lavender is drought-tolerant and not too fussy about soil, as long as there is good drainage. O.kay, I admit it, I took the long way around a very short road to wish you all a very “Happy Valentine’s Day!”

A couple of weeks ago, Naomi and Donna Patrie offered to donate their leftover goodies to the community service baskets and before they could turn around twice, so to speak, Basket Lady loaded up three boxfuls of pastas, deli rolls, sandwiches, sweet breads and brownies -- practically crammed them into the boxes along with napkins, spoons, knives, folks and the next morning, Basket Lady joyfully carried ten food baskets downtown and to gave them to folks walking down the street and even took some baskets into the Hotel Harris.

After all the food baskets were given away, an elderly man walked up to me and with tears in his eyes said, “I’ve been awake all night worried about where my next meal was coming from because I had to pay for my room and I’m out of money.” Basket Lady referred the man to the outreach church downtown, the Free Shop, GRAMPS, and to General Assistance.

Thanks to the everyday kindness angels, Naomi and Donna as well as all the folks who brought real “pot luck,” ten bread baskets were given to others in need, so that they, too, may eat and receive the nourishment given by the Bread of Life.

What would February be without a poem, especially one written by the late Sara Teasdale?

I stood beside a hill

Smooth with new-laid snow,

A single star looked out

From the cold evening glow.

There was no other creature

That saw what I could see-

I stood and watched the evening star

As long as it watched me.

Friend, show someone a kindness today. Offer them your silent blessings of joy, peace, health and plenty.

Kindness not only counts but it adds up! We miss your kindness every day, Dot Sanchas! Until then, smile and live in the present.