A Glass Full of Water

A friend Helen suggested I should go to the Raglan Old School Arts Centre and see a photography exhibition about a volunteer kitchen in Ukraine. She added that a Raglan resident, Fiona McNabb recently worked as a volunteer for three and a half weeks in Lviv alongside Ukrainian and international volunteers, who prepare meals for soldiers that supplement army issue rations with food that tastes like the food the soldiers would get at home.  The kitchen works 7 days a week with three parts to the operation. The preparation kitchen where donated vegetables are prepared and dehydrated. The packing kitchen where the prepared ingredients are packed according to traditional recipes. The bakery where volunteers prepare and bake a range of pastries, buns, cakes and loaves.  At special times of the year like Easter and Christmas, they will bake traditional treats for the soldiers so they can mark the occasion like they would at home.  Many of the volunteers are elderly and come to t...

A week ago, while visiting our neighbours Judy and Dayle, I couldn’t help but notice a few handmade woollen dolls in their lounge. My curiosity was piqued and I asked Judy what sort of dolls she was making. “Izzy dolls Steve.” Of course, my reply was, “What’s an Izzy doll?”  In brief, the story of the doll is that it’s a symbol of Canadian peacekeeping and humanitarian work. It was inspired by Master Corporal Mark ‘Izzy’ Isfeld, a Canadian military engineer who lost his life while clearing land mines in Croatia. Mark often carried these dolls made by his mother Carol to give away to children in war torn areas. The dolls brought comfort and joy to children who experienced loss and trauma.  Volunteers around the world, still knit and crochet these dolls to give to children in need. They cannot be bought or sold for financial gain.  Jenny, a life long friend of Judy’s  who lives in Hervey Bay, north of Brisbane, also makes these dolls.  She leaves them in random pl...

Michelle and Gordon set up their Airbnb called Joyce’s Place nine years ago. It is a self-contained cottage on a quiet road in the heart of Raglan and is recognised as a favourite of all the guests who stay.  This neighbouring property/business has hundreds of excellent reviews… ‘One of the best we have been to, peaceful, cozy, cute, private, we can’t wait to go back, comfortable, clean, well appointed, delightful host, awesome spot…’  Now I know that many Airbnb’s have similar comments, but Michelle excels in thoughtful gifts for all her guests, such as a freshly cooked sourdough loaf and shortbread. The delicious smell of this food greets guests as they walk in the door. Val and I have tasted her sourdough and it is the best bread ever! Table spreads and breakfast cereals are also included as well as basic toiletries. The guests want for nothing.  I asked Michelle what she wanted for her guests and she replied, “A Raglan experience and vibe.” She is succeeding. Recently...

Since starting my kindness blog in March 2023 and sending it firstly to family and friends in New Zealand, today, readers in 75 countries have read my blog. I continue to write what I think people need, not what they necessarily want.  Starting with my own country, the list begins…New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Nepal, Russia, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Portugal, Lithuania, Serbia, Albania, Uzbekistan, Kryrgyzstan, Czechia, Bosnia/Hertzegovina, Hungary, Germany, France, Netherlands, Poland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Armenia, Romania, Croatia, Slovakia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, USA, Jamaica, Mexico, Honduras, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Equador, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iraq, UAE, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa....

Did you know that there are over 70 volunteer groups in Raglan? Well I didn’t.  I think that’s a lot for a small town.  A couple of weeks ago our local Poihakena Marae (people, communal buildings and grounds) hosted a Thank You lunch for representatives of each group. eg. Foodbank, Community House, Feed the Kids, St Johns Ambulance, Rat and Stoat trappers, Weedbusters, Knitters, Curtain fixer uppers. Just to name a few.  Two of my friends, Basil and Lesley attended. Both were impressed by the generous amount and variety of foods, described by Lesley as “fit for a wedding” and which Basil described as “incredible”.   Basil also described the gathering as “a genuine expression of the community working together” and “it was a mental and physical boost for us all and a wonderful time. There was no politics and no agendas”. Lesley also said that she loved “the warmth, gratitude and welcome and being in an environment that lives and breathes acceptance”.  Both were im...

We live in a busy town, that can only get busier as more houses are built and renovated. Traffic (and parking) are increasingly becoming problematic issues.  Raglan has a one lane bridge that connects the east side of our town with the west side. Long queues of traffic, especially in Summer can bring out the worst in people. Patience is stretched, tempers fray and road rage simmers.  In past years, temporary traffic lights were twice installed and twice they were thrown into the water. Motorists also tried to obey the red Give Way arrow which meant that west side traffic always gives way to east side traffic, but that wasn’t that efficient either as the dominant traffic flow means that traffic builds up at one bridge end.  Who would have thought that a form of kindness has helped to solve the problem? The ‘greater good’ solution reduces the wait times for all drivers, no matter what time of day or season. Simply put, it is common sense and consideration. As each side cons...