Leigh's Views

Years ago I lived in Baltimore. In the area I lived there were many older row homes which had windows lined with window boxes for plants. When I asked an elderly neighbor why so many homes had them, her answer was ‘Victory Gardens’. For those of you who haven’t heard the story of this, during WWII people were encouraged to grow their own food. Thus saving vital resources for the war effort. In cities this wasn’t the easiest thing to do, hence the window boxes. Of course, at the time I lived there, most were no longer in use. Fast forward to now, the global pandemic taking over everything era. Some areas of the country have food shortages and so many people are at home bored. Some are calling it the 'new normal'. I'm calling it a blip that will pass eventually. About a month ago, one of my local grocery stores was giving away lettuce seeds and tomato plants if you purchased a certain amount. I scored a pack of seeds and a plant. As you can see from the photo, the results so ...

I had the opportunity to go hiking in an almost closed National Forest. Now the campgrounds and picnic areas were closed but one could still use the hiking trails. Cool. I’m so in! Hiking has always been an activity I’ve enjoyed, growing up in the mountains will instill that in you. So there I was, wandering almost alone in this giant wilderness which should have been bustling with people this time of year. No yell people at all. Nope. It was rather nice to hear the rustle of the trees in the wind. The chirping of the birds. The chatter of the squirrels. Every once in a while, I’d cross paths with another small group of hikers. However, they, like me, were being quiet and respectful of the natural wonder we were in. The day was going great until I slipped on a rock while crossing a small stream. Now I was properly attired for a hike, good shoes, pants, hat, etc. And I know to watch where you step, plan your attack to speak. But things do happen even to the best of us. Okay, so I wasn’t...

Years ago, I was talking with a young woman and I heard her say something which I’ve heard a lot of people say “I’m just a mom… " Whoa, hold up. Has she never seen the survey that comes out every year about how much moms should be paid? They do everything – cooking, cleaning, taxi service, doctoring boo-boos. And most of the time they do all of this without a single thank you from anyone. But moms aren’t the only ones who are guilty of putting themselves down this way. I’ve heard janitors, secretaries, baristas, waitresses and others do it also. Have you ever been to a building and said thank you to the cleaning staff because of how great the place looked? No? Why not? What would happen if the bathroom was never cleaned, the floors never swept? Nope, no ‘just a’ about being a janitor. What about a secretary or office manager? Phones going unanswered. People left to stare at the wall rather than be ushered into their meeting. How would you get...