Greetings!
Three quick notes.
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And do you remember the ponies? I still haven't worked out a finish but every time I saw it, I wished it was darker. Yep. Dunked it. White threads and all. Yep. Dry brushed the stitch tops with bleach to lighten some outlines. So risky, so stupid, so reckless, so me.
And I have to mention something that's bothering me. The other day I was approached by a polite young man in a parking lot asking for anything I could spare, even a dollar, because he ran out of gas. I gave him a buck and told him the truth would have got him more. Today, we were in McD's and while waiting for our coffee, talked to a very friendly woman also waiting. We all eventually sat in a remote corner, where a young man offered her the higher table. He was very polite also, and said he had nothing to do and was just hanging out there. Lost his apartment, hadn't eaten, desperately seeking work. He walks everywhere and had two prior jobs. Father and step-mother lifetime military and don't want anything to do with him. He enlisted and served a few years, felt it wasn't for him, and left. She helped him browse the online ads on her tablet, we had just cashed our check and offered him $$ and told him to apply where Mark works. He can't without an address though and they only hire through an online service. The lady also bought a gift card for him to purchase something to eat which he did. When he went outside, the woman told me she didn't see signs of drugs, has a son with problems, and felt that we met and were all in that corner for a reason. We're hoping it lifted his spirits to know others care and felt he was worthy of our time. Not knowing what is the truth, what he is like, if he has problems, will weigh on me now. Do I feel sorry and worry about him? Do I forget about it because it was another scam? So many times I have been approached with stories and I honestly don't know what the truth is, but hate to mistrust all these young folks. If I don't try to help, I will always wonder if I should have. But we got a few dirty looks from the employees when we were leaving, and we get along great with them so I have my doubts as to his sincerity. I will have to ask next visit.
And regarding the sampler prints, this is the link to Pixel's here and Jane Ballard is #82. Just keep hitting the next arrow.
BLT's and fresh Bodacious corn tonight! Much better than Butter and Sugar or Silver Queen (former favorites).
Thanks for visiting!
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21 comments:
Thanks so much to you and The Gentle Art for the free chart Marly and I can't believe you dyed and bleached your ponies! You are a brave(?) woman! I certainly hope that the young men you helped out were sincere and truly in need of a helping hand to get them over a rough spot but as you said it is impossible to know if they were being truthful or not. You have a generous heart and I hope that they did not take advantage of it. Hope your leg is getting better and that the brats are all OK.
I have been dealing with the same situation as of late, except with some panhandlers outside of the Wal-Mart that we frequent. One older gentleman that looked literally like a scarecrow had tears in his eyes when I asked him about his circumstances. Another raggedy older man appears to have a bum leg and also seemed quite sincerely in need. I saw on the news days later that there was an undercover investigation done by the news team and they found that many were frauds, but not all. I think as Christians, we can never go wrong helping someone who appears to be in need whether they truly are or not. I would rather be taken for a few bucks than to have denied someone a helping hand. Keep your generous heart.
I had to re-read the dunk and BLEACH...but honest to heavens it looks GREAT!! You go girl!
You know our city is filled with the homeless. Indianapolis is just one hour north of us and they have banned pan-handling within the city limits and since Bloomington is a college town it is very....well lets just say there are lots of people working to help the homeless and those in need. With all that being said, I too hesitate to offer money to people because they are always in my face asking. We pulled into Panera Bread the other day and Ellie was opening her door and this man rushed us and stuck his head in the door by Ellie and said, Lady you gotta give me some money even $1, my tire blew and its 90 degrees outside and I need to buy a new one. I wanted to say: It looks like you need some drugs and are so desperate you will tell me anything - but I told him I didn't have cash and he muttered something not nice and moved on. I didn't appreciate him scaring my baby. There are good people in need, I know there are, but typically those kind don't ask because they are ashamed, ones that are in your face asking for money usually are the desperate kind for drugs/alcohol or some other addiction.
I think you must be the judge of "did I do right" If you feel uncomfortable with the situation than it is probably wrong to give.. A thought ( not mine) " I give not because I have much...but because I know what it is to have nothing" Probably a misquote but something I remember.
I wondered too if beggars are untruthful in their needs. Then I just said to myself, whatever the reason they are standing there, whether done with lying or no lie, anybody that is begging needs help. My $ isn't going to fix them nor hurt them, and I say silently to myself, "Please,God, bless them and help them with whatever their troubles are and for whatever reason they have to be on the streets. You know them and I do not."
The ponies are beautiful. I would like to see more horses in samplers/needlework. There are a lot of birds, deer, dogs, ducks, swans. Not many horses, porcupines, bears, racoons, and no possums that I have seen! But I haven't seen all the needlework in the world so there might just be a possum out there!
First thank you for sharing the chart. A story for all of you: someone I know offered a man who had a sign saying the usual. She had just purchased a few items at the market and offered him a 12 pack of water bottles... he refused and said he wanted cash. One of the police officers that I talked to recently told me it has become a "job" to these people and many of them admit to making good money. One man he searched had $200.00 and said it was the days collection! I realize that some are really hurting, but too many are scamming the world.
The scripture tells us to help the stranger for in so doing you may be helping angels unaware. You give where you feel led then give it to God. He knows your heart and the heart of the one "in need" you may be scammed but you did in your heart what Christ would do!
Thanks for the information on the freebie! As for the young man, you never know. I have become sort of jaded. When we lived in Louisville a "homeless person" went on a talk show. I was teaching school at the time. He made more money than I did by pan-handling! Who Knows!
Hi Marly, hope your leg/knee is feeling better!
You are such a kindhearted gal, you listened to your heart and that is what was 'right'.
I LOVE your ponies, is there a chart avail. for purchase for that? I remember seeing the antique purse years ago. Thank you, Debbie in IL
Thank you for contacting GAST and sharing the complimentary design with us! Love your ponies and I think their dunk looks fabulous.
Robin in Virginia
I wish the owner of the horse wallet would give you permission to share your chart of that. It's just wonderful! As for the young man. It's so hard to say. DH always gives a dollar to people who are begging in the city. That adds up to a lot of dollars. It's tough.
Love the ponies. Concerning the young man, I would have done the same. Doing right is never wrong. Only Christ knows the heart.
Your 2 horses is so wonderful! Love it!
Mouse.
Thanks for sharing the chart and the site for copies of the samplers.
Giving money to people who are bagging-you will never know if you are doing right/wrong,so do what your heart is saying to do.It is sad that the good people has to suffer because those who are bad.
Love your horses-how brave to bleech your work!!
greetings,Truus from the Netherlands
Love your ponies Marly! I, too, wish the designer would let you share the chart...or at least offer it for sale...it's a fabulous pattern. We don't hve many "visible" homeless in our neighborhood, and I don't go into Phila very often. My son in Pittsburgh passes by folks begging daily and he always gives them some money. You have such a kind and generous soul Marly.
Your horses look great, I don't think I would have been as brave as you to dunk and bleach...!
You never know if you are doing the right thing or not by giving out money, but I applaud you and the other woman for helping the young man. I hope he was sincere.
Hi Marly, I searched under 'the ponies' and saw where you had mentioned them in the past and honoring the request re a pattern, I do respect that.
Can I push my luck and ask if you can/would share the fabric and threads you used? thank you kindly, Debbie in IL
Thanks for sharing the free design. I wouldn't have the courage to dye and bleach a piece I've stitched, but yours turned out great. I also try to help those in need when I can and pray that their situation improves. Hope you are feeling better and your knee is not as painful.
Thank you for posting the chart and link. About the young man. It's a hard call. We used to run a chadity that took food and blankets to the homeless that couldn't find a place in the local shelters. Some of the people we tried to help were so rude. I recall one man refusing the food and demanding money instead. I tend to carry a few fast food gift cards to give out rather than money. Hope you are recovering nicely
I have the same problem here in Minnesota, I have given a few dollars to the needy with advice to seek shelter at one of the places available, this gives them an address and the shelter will help them get a job, I have seen a person who was on the streets and now working so maybe advice for them was a good one I hope.
I feel he was sincere about getting a job, or why else would he have spent the time getting help from your friend.
I think our hearts mean well and this is what God wants, he does work in many ways to test us.
Thank-you for your work on getting the freebie, what a lovely pattern.
You are so nice to share this pattern with us.
Blessings
Catherine
You just never know with this sort of thing, Marly, and you never know what a bit of kindness may add to a person's day or his/her outlook on life...
Thanks so much for posting that pretty freebie--I love it and I'm so incredibly in awe at your bravery in bleaching/dyeing that piece! The horse piece looks great!
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