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Giving

I’ve once again started knitting hats and mittens for charitable giving, and I’m struck by this: how much credit can I take for altruism if I’m knitting these things in part because I have no further need for knitted items? I have plenty of cold weather wear, from gloves to sweaters, so I’m giving my full knitting attention to others. That’s not to say I didn’t do charitable knitting before. I did do some. But the other question I ask is, does it matter?

Now the Bible teaches us those making a show of their giving will get their full reward here on earth, so maybe, given this post, that’s all I can expect. That would make me sad, but I feel compelled to ask if those who receive these gifts will give a rat’s patooty what my motivation is, and if I’m overthinking things.

Giving, in my mind, is more than financial. Giving your old, gently-worn coats to those in need is a good thing, even if you know you would never wear that coat again because your new one is so much better. If we put our focus on the multitude of ways we can help others, good things will happen. And not only to others, but to ourselves.

An August 17, 2021 article on BigThink.com says giving may actually help us live longer.  It certainly makes us feel good. It seems to me that many people who volunteer a lot have a gentler demeanor, perhaps a more empathetic one as well.

There’s only so much personal consumption can do for any of us. It does feel good to get money, but if you spend every cent you get (please don’t, please save) you’re not likely to be any happier than your neighbor who gives generously. We know that intuitively.

So I guess I’ve come to the conclusion that people who suffer in cold weather will be happy to have hats and mittens regardless of what percentage of my knitting I can credit to being a good person. Just give and don’t give it another thought. I’ve done enough of that.

Image credits: Giving heart © nito–stock.adobe.com; Trumpets © lembit–stock.adobe.com

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Thrones

I wish I could give my cats the kind of cat room I’ve read about but never seen–with ramps to run up on and around, scratching posts of all shapes and sizes and a huge window seat. Instead, they have to make due with piles of boxes I have yet to unload and a somewhat narrower window ledge–wide enough, I suppose, but not what I dream of giving them.

Walter’s latest favorite seat is my desk chair, which has been scratched down to the wood frame and is a short walk away from the trash bin. It’s not particularly comfortable for me, but it’s the desk chair I have. Walter, however, just loves it. It is his throne. If I’m working and make the mistake of getting up, he dashes upon it. When I gently pick him up and place him down from the chair, he purrs and attempts to sit behind me. I guess he thinks sharing is a good compromise.

When a friend’s cat sadly and suddenly passed away in November, I became the recipient of two cat pillows, which Mimi has taken to greatly. Walter isn’t allowed in either one of them, no matter where Mimi might be at the time. If he dares sit in one, she quietly approaches him, starts cleaning him behind the ears, and he leaves. Quickly. Those pillows are her thrones.

I need to step back and realize that what I’m giving my cats is enough for them. I hear parents bemoaning what they can’t give their children, and I say to them, your kids have an imagination. They also have your love and commitment. If my parents had given me everything I wanted growing up, I’d be expecting a throne in my life today.

Instead, I’m satisfied with my desk chair. And my futon. And my wicker chairs. I have my cats, and they have me. They are loving and kind, and I hope my friends think the same of me.

Thrones are just overrated.

Image Credit: © studiostoks-stock.adobe.com

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Meet Sue Ann Nivens–Betty White’s Other Great Role

Sue Ann (Betty White) checks the oven to see why her dessert failed.

Before she starred as Rose in The Golden Girls, Betty White delighted television audiences with her portrayal of Sue Ann Nivens, the Happy Homemaker on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She made her first appearance in the initial episode of the fourth season of MTM. The show’s producers expected it to be a one-time guest shot for White, but audience reaction prompted them to bring her back–again and again. Here are four episodes featuring Sue Ann, some of the funniest episodes in the entire series.

The Lars Affair (Season 4, Episode 1)

Phyllis (Cloris Leachman) sprays Sue Ann (Betty White) with chocolate, all over Sue Ann's white apron.
Cloris Leachman, Betty White

Here’s where we first meet Sue Ann, and we quickly learn that the saccharine personality hides a less-than-charming side. She’s fooling around with Lars Lindstrom, Phyllis’ (Cloris Leachman) husband. It’s only when confronted with the possibility of losing her career that she gives up on him, but the road it takes Mary. Phyllis and Sue Ann to get to that point is hilarious. This episode has one of Leachman’s funniest performances of the series. Sadly, we also lost her in 2021.

The Dinner Party (Season 4, Episode 10)

Sue Ann (Betty White) checks the oven to see why her dessert failed.
Betty White

When Mary has 24 hours to plan a dinner party for a U. S. Congresswoman, Sue Ann steps in to prepare a gourmet meal for her guests. But that isn’t what makes this episode so revealing when it comes to the Happy Homemaker. Watch what happens when she discovers her on-air oven wasn’t plugged in, ruining the dessert she so meticulously prepared.

A New Sue Ann (Season 5, Episode 7)

Sue Ann (Betty White) proudly introduces her protege to the station manager.
Linda Kelsey, Betty White

A bubbly 23-year-old flatters herself into a job as Sue Ann’s stand-in, only to little by little reveal herself as the career-climbing Eve Harrington character that she actually is. But Sue Ann doesn’t take it sitting down. There’s no revenge like the revenge of a Happy Homemaker.

Sue Ann Falls in Love (Season 6, Episode 23)

Sue Ann (Betty White) breaks down after Mary (Mary Tyler Moore) reveals the truth about Sue Ann's new boyfriend.
Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore

Sue Ann has met a man good enough to make her forget Lou Grant (Ed Asner, who also died in 2021). He’s introduced her to the great outdoors, she’s introduced him to the great indoors. Well, you get the idea. But is he as good a man as Sue Ann believes? Only Mary knows.

I should mention that in addition to White, Leachman and Asner, we also lost Gavin MacLeod, who played Murray Slaughter, in 2021. It was a sad year for MTM fans, but the show lives on. The Mary Tyler Moore Show can currently be seen on Hulu, and probably some other places I don’t know about. Check it out!

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Happy Birthday, Beth–and Many More

I love you and I miss you. I hope your day is a good one and you are safe and happy.

Love, Belinda

Image Credit: © kotoffei–stock.adobe.com

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It’s National Hug Day–and oh yeah, it’s my birthday!

AdobeStock_396759392 [Converted]Celebrate both by giving someone you love a big hug. If you really want to go to town, throw in a cupcake in my honor!!

I know it may not be wise these days to give a hug to a lot of people, so give them a smile or a compliment instead. Make their day a little brighter!

Image Credit: January 21© SergeVo–stock.adobe.com;  National Hug Day © Waseem Ali Khan–stock.adobe.com