A Glass Full of Water

Looking at the photo gallery on the ‘Surfing for Farmers’ website I couldn’t help but notice a happy bunch of people playing in the waves.  One night each week over summer, a growing number of farmers near Raglan (and at 27 other locations around New Zealand) trade the paddock for the beach. Farming can be an all consuming job and this ‘surf break’ encourages exercise and connection with other farmers and their families. Lots of yarns and laughs while enjoying a post surf barbecue is just the tonic for farmers (male and female) wellbeing as they enjoy quality time in their community. By engaging in these activities farmers gain a renewed perspective and prioritise their own self-care.  Jay, a Te Uku dairy farmer, who is a committee member of the Raglan Surfing for Farmers shared with me a couple of days ago that farming is very much a routine type job and surfing helps to break up the monotony of routine. He added that his job can be an isolating, so catching up with surfing f...

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....