Sunday, April 26, 2020

Seniors, Volunteers, and what's between them


The socially isolated senior citizens get a lot of help from volunteers these days: food boxes, meals, books, games, gym devices etc...It sure helps cope with the situation, and stay optimistic.

I've particularly enjoyed a pack of 21 tiny cards with printed flowers growing in the holy land. It is a good opportunity  to  learn or recall the names (scientific and common ) of each flower, and the major facts about it (origin, shape, color, growing conditions).   



I find it important to know which plants and flowers are poisonous, medicinal, edible, invasive, protected, spicy. I use spices in my kitchen and take herb supplements for medical wellness. So, 'playing' with these cards is definitely time well spent.

The delivered food boxes contain mostly dry and canned food - not ideal for elderly people's daily menu. It's more sort of  food reserve to be stored for the days of food shortage that might come.
On the other hand, frozen meals to be warmed up, are a hit; gourmet quality, well planned, decent quantity and variety.





They say the corona virus attacks animals and crops as well. I sincerely hope that's not true, but then, I read in the news that it has been discovered  back in 1964 by a brilliant scottish female lab worker. So, it had plenty of time  to become The Virus of all times, to emerge as the accomplished  micro-organism ready to face and destroy the vanity of mankind.


51 comments:

  1. Great post, DUTA! It is wonderful that these boxes of food, meals, books, games, etc. are provided to the socially isolated senior citizens. Every act of kindness, thoughtfulness, or assistance is truly a great way to help the seniors. I'M SURE the seniors are very thankful for this.

    Sending up prayers of thanksgiving for the volunteers and for the seniors they serve.

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    1. Thanks for your kind words, and for the prayers. Volunteers are doing a great job, and we're very grateful to them.

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  2. That is nice with the care packages you have received. I'm not sure how the man found me to send a friend request through Facebook, but a young Messianic Jew living in Israel sent me a friend request (probably because I like some Facebook pages like "Jews for Jewish" etc). Anyway, after I checked out his profile and saw that he wasn't trying to scam me or proposition me I accepted his friend request. Anyway, as I started scrolling through his Facebook posts he said Israel is going to open up a bit tomorrow (Sunday). He specifically said businesses will open but work less than usual. Is that your understanding too? Be safe and always prayers for Israel.

    betty

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    1. Yes, that's correct, Betty. The government has decided on a partial re-opening of businesses and places starting with Sunday. Let's hope for the best.In two weeks time things will be re-evaluated.

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  3. Replies
    1. Indeed. There are life-saving stories behind some of the poisonous plants/flowers, and a lot of useful info regarding medicinal plants, seeds, petals.

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  4. Beautiful and informative flower cards!! I'd love to study them too!! So glad this blessing of learning from them has come to you from this time in isolation. Agreeing with the prayers above for the volunteers and for uplifting the seniors in these ways with nourishing activities and foods. Blessings and be well!!♡

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    1. The idea can be applied to lots of other topcs: pets, birds, trees, fruit etc..and can be used anytime not only in isolation.
      Thanks and Blssings to you too!

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  5. Interesting to see the supplies.

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    1. They've even supplied toilet paper rolls,liquid soap, and fresh veggies from farmers (not in the pictures above).

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  6. Great cards to play with, get to know more about flowers :)

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    1. Great quality of card and print too. A pleasure to keep them in your hands and move them around!

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  7. What a wonderful act of kindness, and definitely a great way to learn more about plants! Hugs and stay safe. RO

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    1. I totally agree with you. There's much kindness and thought invested in this volunteering activity for senior citizens.
      Hugs to you too!

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  8. Those cards are a wonderful idea, and I would have been overjoyed to have received them. And the total care package, while not ideal, perhaps, is a great contribution to seniors. Stay well, Duta. These are difficult times. Last evening we Facetimed with friends in Australia. Technology is amazing!

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    1. Wonderful idea, and great contribution, indeed!
      I've actually got 3-sets of 21 cards, so when isolation is over,it can turn into a 2-3 people/children's game.

      As for technology, futuristic films have become reality; incredible inventions are already among us.

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  9. There are so many amazing volunteers out and about. Plus healthworkers!

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    1. True. I'm afraid, though, they might soon get tired, as this coronavirus thing appears to be a long one.
      We shall have to take each day as it comes, and see how things can be improved.

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  10. What an awfully good idea and wonderful way to take care of a population. That is so filed with heart and wisdom. The cards are very clever and I can see why people would love them. Hats off to the volunteers! Please stay well.

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    1. Definitely "Hats off to the volunteers!"
      Usually, I have zero appreciation for the government, but it seems that in this crisis, it has acted the right way, at least in their attitude towards the senior citizens.

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  11. Great all the work the volunteers do and love the pictures of the flower The one you showed looks like our poppy. Yesterday was ANZAC day here and the poppy is the symbol of war remembrance here.

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    1. I happen to know about ANZAC and red poppies.
      If you type ANZAC in the search box of my blog, you'll come to the post 'The Red South' where I mention, among other things the visit to ANZAC memorial near Beeri settlement, not far from Gaza strip.

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  12. I love these cards,so interesting. Nature is full of surprises. Stay safe everyone!

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    1. Tiny cards, offering big pleasure. There were also regular packs of cards in the parcel, but I was never interested in those sort of games.

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  13. The "Me! Me!" society might get a bit of a shake-up, too...for the betterment of society once this is all over.

    We must not forget those who are selflessly helping others.

    As Marja said in her response, Anzac Day was honoured here yesterday, 25th April...a sombre day of remembrance and thanks to those who have sacrificed so much for their country - Australia and New Zealand...and still are.

    Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first campaign that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ...aka Australian and New Zealand Army Corps...whose soldiers were known as "Anzacs"

    Keep taking good care, DUTA...those cards are great. :)

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    1. There's unanimous hope that society gets a shake-up in the positive direction.

      I've got great respect and feelings of Thanks for Australia and New Zealand's forces. We should all remember their sacrifices for Peace in the world.

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  14. What a nice service to provide, food and information. Although some of the food products may not be the best by health standards, but they should prove durable if food shortages do happen (hopefully not). I also liked the flower cars even if I wasn't able to understand the names.

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    1. I don't intend to use white flour and white sugar, but one never knows. My mother, a Holocaust survivor, has lived on potatoe peels for many months during the war.

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  15. We have meals on "wheels" here for seniors, healthy plates for a small amount. Anyway we are not allowed to get together and grandchildren and children have to stay away. The virus doesn't affect animals that's for sure people believed that in the beginning but now it has been confirmed it's only for us humans. I really badly need a hairdresser, I have straight hair and it needs a good cut not to hang down in stripes ! For the moment it's a friend who helps me out. We have to wait until May 5th and then we have a little more freedom, wearing masks and gloves.

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    1. So far, the meals are free.
      Well, the corona might go, but fear will stay. I believe many won't go back to the hairdresser's or beauty parlours.

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  16. Your last sentence sent chills down my spine. It may very well be true. I like the idea of studying something worthwhile as we stay in our homes and those flower cards are a nice gift for that purpose.

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    1. Notice that I wrote: 'the vanity of mankind', not 'mankind'.
      I too prefer a gift with a purpose; the cards teach and entertain us.

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  17. This sounds such a nice service provided by people in these times.

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    1. Nice and..free of charge. That's quite moving! We're used, in daily life, to complain all the time. Now we see a different side to the municipality and its volunteers.

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  18. Those food boxes are a great idea.

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    1. Food is survival. The elderly are a vulnerable population, and those boxes help them survive.

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  19. Good food and nice little cards too, how nice! On the elderly: Earlier this year, I heard two women, in their 20's probably,talking in the store. They were discussing some elderly man, when finally one asked the other, exactly how old he was, and the other replied he was in his early 60's. It was then that I realized I am elderly by many years, told my husband we're elderly. Never thought of that, made me laugh! 😊 Anyway, good with providing for the elderly! The governor of our state, Illinois, has just declared he will enforce stay-at-home order through May. I can a lot of problems with that, esp. around Chicago! Till then, continue with masks and all. I feel bad for all the small businesses. What a mess!

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    1. Well, I should think it's an honor to reach the 'elderly' stage.
      Yes, We're in a mess with this virus. I'm afraid we haven't seen anything yet. Even if we get a vaccine and put it under control, still we have to struggle with its economic consequences. May God have mercy on us!

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  20. How very lovely, to have been provided with the items shown on your page. It's interesting to see what is considered, more or less, essential if things do get worse, eventually. My husband has gone to the store several times, wearing a mask and going early in the morning. I know that's not an option for everyone, and that makes gifts like these, even more important. Also, what a nice addition, the cards...especially for you, as you find them useful. Others, might just enjoy the cards for their beauty. I'm always thankful, when the elderly are singled out, in such a kind way. Stay safe and have a lovely day, DUTA.

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    1. I'm probably not going to use the white flour, white sugar, canola oil - but the rest of the items will gradually be consumed and enjoyed in one way or the other:

      Here they are:
      tinned tuna fish/sardines, canned green peas, canned ready chickpeas, canned sweet corn kernels,
      canned apple puree, package of dried raisins, package of dried dates
      coffee, paprika spice, spaghetti sticks. rice
      sesame and chickpeas stuff for the preparation of tahine and hummus pastes,
      and a few other food items.

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  21. DUTA, RE: Herd immunity... yes, we need a miracle. God is our only salvation. RE: Seniors: I'm so glad and grateful to hear that these elderly citizens are being cared for. Thank you for sharing these recent posts and staying attuned. Better to be in the know than to be ignorant, yes? Food shortages are a reality. These are perilous times. Keep the faith. Love and blessings.

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    1. Your welcome, Debra.
      Food provisions are necessary; as they say, 'better safe than sorry'.

      Both the government and the individual household should prepare vital things in advance.
      Above all, we need to keep our faith in God.

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  22. I've stocked up on canned veggies of late, not that they are the best nutrition - frozen is better, but for the lack of freezer space, and since I have more pantry space, I'll eat what I can get. Distant hug.

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    1. Good planning!
      In difficult times, one eats what one can get, to survive. Food, as we all know, is survival.

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  23. Those cards sound excellent and they are so colourful.

    The current food supply here in the UK seems to be ok although it can change so quickly !
    Before the start of the lockdown and madness that we seem to be living in at the moment, I had got some frozen and canned food stuffs in ... just in case! I'm now glad I did.
    Take care

    All the best Jan

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    1. Right. Things could change in a minute - from abundance to shortage. Better to be prepared.Food is our body's fuel, even the canned one, not only the fresh one.

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  24. My daughter's neighbor is using flora to make jellies, and baked goods.

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    1. Indeed, certain plants are a surprising source for jellies, jams, marmelade , pudding.

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  25. You mean the flower cards as a form of entertainment. Yes, I would agree with that.

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