Recycling In Winter and Throughout the Seasons of Our Lives--Lend a Hand While Still on Land

You never know where a good deed will lead...and generally that's down a path of very cool networking and nice things in return...but sometimes Not So Much (or At All...) But our game of life with the big IF in the middle is full of Possibil-I-Ties. The "I" in that means any one of us...as in you or I, or other friend or family member, neighbor, fellow student or group member.

That realm of the one and the many having some interplay intentionally and even without a plan is being touted as the new insight we want to play to our advantage...and for our fellow creatures and life forms on the planet, the soil, rocks, water and air.

That is a rather lofty way to think about the topic of recycling or energy exchanges but again, that's what's in style and is a new necessity. Here's a post I put on a local Facebook forum about a group offering free clothing and encouraging others to donate.That's a 'simple idea the could be a big plus for many people' to follow suit. This is a handy service especially for the winter season..thanks to all who donate.

Each school PTO or faith group could promote recycling of clothing locally to help decrease pollution (extra transportation and shopping trips.) Kids are usually content with hand-me-over finds and if it were done along with tag sales and other fundraisers throughout the year there'd be many more winners and happy finders..and donors.

The end of the year or big tag sales are great but sometimes overwhelming..so focusing on things seasonally and even monthly would be great. Sharon Center had a coat exchange for many years..and Canaan as well as other places likely for kids. Sometimes the school nurse or teachers would volunteer but likely parents and other volunteers could ease the burden.

Other swaps for shoes, boots, and so on could round out the repertoire along with basic clothing..pants, shirts, etc so everyone would have a few handy options and not need to trek to Torrington even to GoodWill... as often. Thanks for all who keep such 'giving circles going' locally and beyond. It all adds up and helps turn the tide of consumerism and high costs of living...

Next up some healthy cooking classes and snacks would be great to have for each grade even weekly or monthly to promote healthy eating and networking... that happens at most faith meetings (for great examples check out FV Cong. Church or Greenwoods in Ashley Falls MA on Clayton Rd.

These are potluck type offerings (some take turns in advance such as at the FV Congregational Church...and others all are encouraged to bring something such as at Greenwoods. Sharon Congregational also usually has a brief refreshment time.

Some libraries have open hours on Saturdays and Sundays so that might be another time to meet and plan something for a class or area. Often helping young children, older kids, teens, and older teens, youg adults and then more by the  mid-decades (20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, then 70 on up etc can be helpful for libraries, recreation, faith and school programs to promote networking in locally and otherwise.

Often there are natural networks with common needs and talents to note. People matching up their services or requests with others creates a reasonable way for people to interact. See more on social permaculture and on this blog, Turtle Garden Permaculture Game.

Many good ideas catch on over time when they meet basic needs and then more people feel 'in the know' and ready to be 'on the go' whether to events, fundraisers or regular programs...

 All the best along those lines of being neighborly..See local recreational offerings for programs for youth and others. Hotchkiss School in Lakeville CT is offering a way to support Special Olympics with a Swim-A-Thon (or a-Ton) on Nov 4th... donations or swimmers welcome (and an awesome pool by the way! Sign up in advance.) Again, kudos to all area and wider efforts to promote health and well-being and raise money for scholarships, non-profits, neighbors and even oneself in a positive way...tag sales, helping someone with a chore and more can lead to great friendships.

Thanks too for using common sense and taking things slow in terms of working on serious projects or even housekeeping or other chore trades and help. Have a few people work together even if one is sitting reading the paper so new situations can be assessed for safety and proper social interactions.

Double those precautions if meeting someone in a new place (ideally a public one) or at someone's private home. There generally is safety in numbers...but again depending on the event or activity things could backfire. Think of what happened with the Brett Kavanaugh allegations, some of which happened during parties or with others around. 

See Remembering Kaelan Alexander Palmer Paton for insights into a time almost a decade ago when some youths were 'just being kids' and taking too many chances near a dangerous river as part of having some end of school fun.

Sadly for Kaelan it cost him his life but he did go into the crazy water with serious underwater currents to help save a friend after rescuing two while still on land. Some of the inspiration for the phrase 'Lend a Hand While Still On Land' comes from that serious minute-to-minute situation when quick-thinking and safety plans needed to go hand in hand. Others may find themselves in a dire situation of needing or wanting to prevent someone from doing something dangerous, even to save another person.

When the odds are very low that someone can be saved, a couple of people or more may need to shout and call for help or warn the person or maybe even tackle them or otherwise try to keep them from going into a fire, water, or other dangerous if not lethal situation. Throwing water, oil, beads or a towel over someone might be enough to distract them and disable their efforts. Lifeguards are taught that it's okay to punch someone they are trying to save if the person is panicked and holding on too hard.

So that would be a last resort..likely a kick in the shin would get a person's attention. Not the easiest thing to judge but worth figuring out well in advance and practicing as regular citizens. Try the towel or jacket in the face of over the head before hitting anyone.

Constraining someone whose out of control would likely only be needed if they are in danger, so ideally making sure people have the right training before going near risky terrain or water or in it or doing a challenging sport or trick (jumping from rocks, bridges and so on...none of which is sensible or recommended due to the risk of injuring one's neck and becoming paralyzed..even in shallow water for instance.

Same with jumping off edges of a pool or doing a flip...if one hits one's head without enough clearance the results could be devastating. That said using as much skill and wisdom with proper training (Iikely lots of good ideas and skills online for starters) would be a great investment. Sharing tips with others and insisting on good screening is key too.