We had a lovely, spontaneous day yesterday. And, boy, did we need it!
We decided to get in the car and see where we were led, starting off with a visit to a farm down the road that was supposed to have free-range eggs (for Don). When we got there, it was evident no one was living there. The house was for rent, the property for sale. And, as we drove up the drive to turn around, these faces were staring at us:
There were at least two more kittens/cats around inside the barn. Clearly, they’re being fed by someone, either the owner of the property or a neighbor. My instincts are to worry about them, of course, but they seem okay.
We then drove into the town that is just north of us – a college town – where there’s a little street that has several little shops we like to visit. It should be noted that I was wearing my pink hat.
We stopped at our favorite record shop and I found a couple of albums and a 45 that I wanted. (More on that tomorrow.) This is a little winding street that is off the main drag, so I often drive by, but clearly haven’t stopped to explore it in a while. As we sauntered down the street, yet another shop that had been one thing was now another thing – what looked like a coffee shop. I was ready to move on, but Don wanted to peek inside. Okay.
What a discovery! It’s entirely vegan. Started by a local shop owner who has a ethically sourced chocolate shop, this coffee shop/cafe is called The Commissary.
We went in to check out the menu and the young woman behind the counter told me she had seen me in my hat when I was outside the window. Yes, she’d been on the Women’s March. We started talking about that and I said, for the first of what would be several times that day, that, no, I didn’t go on the march but my husband did. Everyone, of course, loved that Don marched.
Right by the counter was this sign:
I like this place.
After I discovered that the menu was vegan, I ordered some soup and Don ordered something else, I can’t remember the name of it, but I sampled it and it was delicious. And then I realized they made vegan hot chocolate. That was a no-brainer.
Goodness, it was delicious! With marshmallows and whipped cream (all vegan) it was far better than anything I make at home.
Around the corner from the cash register:
The Mitzvah Wall.
The notes were fascinating and lovely and compassionate. I love this idea. We contributed: $5.00 toward anything on the menu for anyone who loves and cares for a disabled child, in honor of our Little Z, who was in a wedding yesterday, by the way! And absolutely adorable.
But I digress.
Clearly focused an equality and activism, this shop won my heart. Some of things on the menu are given a suggested price. You can pay more or less, depending on your situation. Those who pay more will help someone else who might be unable to pay for an item. It all evens out in the end.
Absolutely fell in love with this message carved into the wooden counter.
Movement Mondays – for two hours, you can hang out and write postcards and letters to elected officials. Free coffee.
The food was delicious. And we have found a new hangout.
After we finished, we crossed the street and went into an independent bookstore that we often visit.
On the door:
I’m proud of our community.
Once we entered and started browsing, more conversations with strangers – all of whom commented on my hat. All three woman were younger, two of them might well have been students at the local university. The young woman behind the counter had gone to the March. We had a lively conversation and it was simply lovely.
That hat seems to be a conversation starter.
I bought a couple of books that I’ll share with you tomorrow.
Stopped to buy a couple of vegan cookies at another local restaurant run by a friend of Don’s. Had a great conversation there, as well.
A lovely, lovely day that, as sometimes happens, turned on a dime as we drove back home. As we turned down a local road that we cut through to get to our house, we saw flashing lights ahead. A man directed us to turn around. All we could get out of him was that there had been a fire.
After we got home, Don noticed a voicemail on his phone. It was from our friend who owns the local horse farm and boarding facility. The home of the local man who owned Pliers and Ashley (the horses who were taken in by the Catskill Animal Sanctuary) burned to the ground yesterday afternoon. We’d seen his house. It was little more than a shack, really, with a wood-burning stove. Whether he had electricity is unsure. But it was his home, and this man who has problems due to a head injury years ago, is now homeless.
Utterly heartbreaking.
We are gathering clothing and sheets and towels for him. I don’t know where he’ll go or where he might find shelter. I hope to find out more today.
I can’t even take it in. That poor man who is still dealing with having to give up his horses – now homeless.
We’ll do what we can, as will others in our community.
Happy Sunday.
Life does that, turn on a dime. I hope your neighbor will find someplace to live. I just can’t imagine how hard this must be for him. You are both so kind to help him. I love all the shops you found on your outing. I saw Little Z’s photo on Mer’s blog of him at the wedding, that child is adorable! I would agree your hat is a conversation starter.
Thinking of Charlie today. A year ago I knew it was his last day/night with me and it was so hard but I got to say goodbye and tell him how much I loved him before he crossed the bridge. My heart hurts but I am truly blessed to have had this amazing cat in my life for over 17 years. Trying to keep busy but it’s hard. Hugs!
Oh, Linda, I’m thinking of you today. This is a hard week coming up for both of us. Memories of our beloved pets and the pain of saying goodbye. I’m sending you a big hug today and tomorrow. He’s still with you, my friend.
Your day so reflects how life can be so amazing and then change so quickly. Thanks for sharing all the positive reflections. I just told our local community cafe owner about the Mitzvah Wall and she loved the idea. There may be one starting this week in small town Alberta, Canada. Lovely idea that could be very empowering for those who feel there is nothing they can do.
Such a sad end to the day. I’m sure your community will support him and he’ll soon be in a new place to live. The heartache will take longer to heal. Wishing him well in this journey.
Hope you are able to have a lovely Sunday!
X Chy
Oh good! I think it’s such a brilliant idea.
Just got word from our friend that there’s a Go Fund Me page up for Larry.
Such a wonderful and sad post. Maybe the man’s house burning will lead him to something better. Seems so harsh but sometimes it has to happen this way. Hope it’s a good Sunday. Peace!
I hope it does. He needs help as he really can’t work anymore and his homeowner’s insurance had just lapsed when the fire occurred.
How tragic to lose your home. When my shoemaker who lost his shop and home two days before Christmas, there were many who helped him out. It was heartwarming for all of us. Hopefully the poor man and the whole community can experience the same. Hopefully, he has found shelter already.
Regula
There’s a GoFund me campaign up and running, though he needs everything. He is staying at his sister’s house for the time being. And his cat was saved, as well.
So happy to hear you had a good day…so sad to hear about your friend. A reminder to us how quickly things can change. I love the idea of the Mitvah wall….such a simple thing that would bring so much happiness to both parties. Hope your Sunday is on an even keel! ;)
So far. We’re going to a community political meeting this afternoon and we’re trying to find out more about how to help our friend. There’s a GoFund me campaign going. Tragically, his home owner’s insurance had lapsed the month before. He is disabled, and he can’t work, so I imagine he just didn’t have the money for renewing it.
Oh. Man. What a day you had. I was captivated by the story about the new hangout (oh, how I’d love to live in a place that’s so full of variety as your hamlets there in the Hudson…I just hope someone is regularly feeding/watering those barn kitties; I noticed the bowl in your photo) yet I had a sense of trepidation because you’d forewarned. Claudia, it was absolutely meant/pre-destined that you and Don (and others) had to get to the bottom of what was going on with those two horses because what would their fate be NOW? The poor gentleman won’t be able to take care of himself, much less his animals. It sounds like he might be better off in some sort of graduated-care situation anyway; maybe some sort of social services/Red Cross contact can match him with the right solutions. Until then, it sounds like you live in a compassionate community and bravo to you and whomever else for coming to his immediate aid. How confusing and devastating for him or anyone who loses habitat and possessions to catastrophe; I’m glad he wasn’t injured.
You know, I hear of stuff like this…such tragedies…and remind myself again and again that some of my problems don’t amount to a hill ‘o beans compared to what befalls other people. I got upset that yesterday, this horrible neighbor I have but who thankfully is moving…a realtor’s sign is actually/finally on the house…will be leaving all of us other neighbors with the parting gift of painting his parents’ house the ugliest dull-brown color you can imagine (which clashes badly with our own recently-painted home as well as the home on the other side so that each of us will be flanked by this eyesore). But, see? In the scheme of life, it’s just paint. Maybe the color will, in time, fade…and maybe a lovely family (who likes the color of brown!) will move in and cherish having a home when so many others are homeless. And they’ll plant flowers and trees which will overtake the somber brown. Glass half full!
I thought of that. What would he do if his home was gone but the horses were still there? He could barely take care of them before, he definitely wouldn’t have been able to take care of them now. He is staying at his sister’s (just found this out from our friend who owns the boarding facility) and there is a GoFund Me campaign up and running. His homeowner’s insurance had lapsed the month before. I imagine he couldn’t afford it. So he really has nothing.
A bit of good news, his cat escaped the fire, so he hasn’t lost his pet.
Oh, thank goodness the cat is fine. This poor man seems to really be on a downhill slide. Another blessing, though; he has a relative…and hopefully a close one, in a sibling. “What if” he had no one? It happens; lots of people have no one. I’m sure you and Don have been so unsettled by all of this; lots of up & down emotion for you in the past few weeks, Claudia. Whew. And you’ve got to steel yourself now, for the anniversary of dear Scout’s passing. You can do it. You’re strong. Thinking of you…hang in there…
Yes, Wednesday will be a tough one. We are so aware of this looming anniversary. The next day I start rehearsals for Anastasia, so that will help take some of the edge off.
So very sorry to hear about the older gentleman losing his home in such a traumatic way; we just never know what will come our way. I’m certain the outpouring of concern and help for him will mean a great deal to him and offer hope for a better future.
A day to be grateful for as you set off on your healing odyssey. The food sounds wonderful but meeting with caring kindred spirits was the best! A day to cherish…..Dianne
It was the best. A truly lovely day, Dianne!
Aw gee, that poor old man. Losing his horses had to be difficult enough – although totally the right thing for all concerned. Now he loses his home! As Jan said, maybe it will turn out to be a blessing in disguise. He certainly needs people in his corner caring and helping out – sounds like he’s needed that for some time. So you & Don and other neighbors are doing a very kind and wonderful thing. And I LOVE that new coffee shop in your town. Now THAT is the way all businesses could be operating! With a little more thought about people and a little less about profits. Why more businesses don’t do this I’ll never understand. Haven’t they ever heard that old saw “a rising tide floats ALL boats…” ?? Everyone is happier, more secure & more financially-stable when wealth is more widely-distributed. No one is saying you billionaires CAN’T continue to be billionaires. But OMG, how much money is enough?? You’d deny a poor single mother a decent wage and health care so you can have 5 billion dollars – instead of only 4? That’s just sick. You do know you can’t take it with you, right?? You really can’t. Oh well – that’s my rant against the “One Percent” for today. I seriously can’t get over these people and their attitude. Individuals AND corporations that are out to get absolutely every last red cent they can – for THEMSELVES. Arrggghh! I need to go look at puppy and kitten videos now. And that orca live cam in British Columbia, where the water sounds are SO soothing…
Peace. #Resist
I echo your rant. I don’t understand it. Never will! xo
omg that poor man!
dq
I know. It’s tragic.
I really enjoyed your discovery of the wonderful coffee shop. I am also wearing my pink hat everywhere I go and I find myself looking at each passerby in the eyes to see if they know what my hat signifies. Most don’t.. but now I’m smiling at people more. Maybe next time you’re out you can take some cat food for those kitty’s bowl? Poor little abandoned cats. I’m sorry to hear of the man who lost his home.. maybe he’ll end up in a better place now.. that is my hope for him. Nice of you to collect up some things to give him. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
There is a GoFund Me campaign going on that I hope will be very successful in providing money for Larry.
What a wonderful day you had until later that is…The best thing about those shops are the signs they have welcoming everyone there as equals..How badly I wish I lived in a loving, compassionate community like yours…Those farm kitties are precious…if someone is caring for them that is great..the next best thing to help them (besides homes) would be to find a rescue group who does Trap-Neuter-Release…They will catch them neuter them for free and release them back at the farm…(unless they decide to find homes for them) that way they will not keep breeding more and more kitties..I feel so sad for Larry..to lose everything when you have so little is heartbreaking…thank goodness his kitty was saved..that is probably his best friend..Do you have a link to his GoFundMe page?..I don’t have much myself but I’m always happy to share a little with someone who has less when I can…
The link is:
https://www.gofundme.com/homeforlarry
Thank you, Nancy.
my prayers for your “neighbor”
would you consider doing a blog sometime where you tell us a typical days food on your vegan program? I admire you… it takes much devotion
thanks Claudia
hugs, Sue
Too soon for that, Sue. I’m very new to being vegan. Maybe in the future?
Claudia, could your homeless neighbor rent the house and barn you saw for rent? Just thinking perhaps that is why you were led to it…
I don’t know. It’s rather large for him and I think the rent would be prohibitive, Wendy.
Such an emotional rollercoaster of a day you had! Your vegan coffee shop was quite a find and—hot chocolate, Yay! But hitting that wall at the end was upsetting. I feel so sorry for the guy, but I’m glad he still has his cat, his sister, and the many friends he probably didn’t know he had. There are such good people in the world, it seems. After a day like that, I hope you two can just relax today.
I’m going to check in on the GoFund Me campaign to see how much money they’ve raised. Bless his heart, this is a tough one.
I enjoyed hearing about the new places you and Don discovered. As you know, Brian and I love to take little day trips, too. It wasn’t exactly a day trip today, but when we woke up this morning (love when my hubby finally has a weekend off!), I asked Brian what he thought of the idea of going to a particular restaurant for breakfast. Brian’s never been to this restaurant – which is a 40 min. drive – but I’ve been twice. Their omelettes are the size of your head! I had one with roasted red pepper, caramelized onion, spinach and goat cheese. It came with herb and garlic roasted red potatoes – which I was craving (hence my idea of going to this restaurant this morning). I came home with half my omelette, but Brian was able to finish his. ;-)
I am so sorry to hear about Larry, but glad to see from the comments that there’s been a GoFund Me set up for him and that he’s able to stay with his sister.
Sounds like a great breakfast, Melanie! Herb and garlic roasted red potatoes? Sounds like heaven!
If Nancy Blue Moon hadn’t asked for the link, I would have. I don’t have much, either, but I will contribute the little I can. We all want to think that this man’s tragedy will lead to something better for him, but sometimes tragedy just results in . . . tragedy. I know this possibility worries you, and I wanted to acknowledge the grief and worry you are feeling until there is evidence that he will have continued help and be in a better situation than he was.
Thank you so much, Linda.
Claudia, thank you for you kind response to my comments yesterday. I think I was rather preachy (preaching to myself) and I apologize. I am really knocked sideways by the events of the election and haven’t found firm ground. I’ll step back. I appreciate your patience with me. I do hope your friend will find himself safely on his feet and so glad his cat was saved. You show the world a lot of love!
Oh, not at all preachy! I value your thoughts, Nora.
Nice to see in this troubled world people come together and being the helpful human beings we should ALL be despite a hateful administration (i just can’t write he who will not….hahhahhaha see!). What great businesses. This and tomorrows post (read them both this morning), are uplifting and hopefull and fun. Sad end to this day though. You and Don have lovely hearts.
On tomorrows post….isn’t it fun to find unusual books in little bookstores! I visit the Tattered Cover when in Denver. In one of the older buildings in town and a wonderful place to hang and people watch. Thank goodness for independent stores. Shop them!
I’ve always wanted to visit the Tattered Cover! Someday!