Random Acts of Kindness

Or, How a Pine Cone Turned into a Box of Girl Scout Cookies.


Jim is visiting his mother in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.
He wrote last week,

While biking around town, I spied a cluster of pine cones at the base of a huge pine tree. The cones were enormous. Decided to stop and collect a few. As soon as I got off the bike, a van suddenly pulled up right next to me. It startled me. Then I noticed the van was filled with teenagers. The lady driver lowered her window and said, "We are doing random acts of kindness. Would you like this box of cookies?" I looked at her beaming face, the smiling youngsters, the box, and then read lettering on side of van, "Mary Esther United Methodist Church."

I nodded and she handed me the box saying, "God bless you!" By the time I was able to thank her/them, she was driving away. Somehow, a pine cone had evolved into a box of Girl Scout cookies. It all happened so quickly. I stood there stunned and thankful."

After sharing this story with Julie, a friend of mine, she says she often does this when out and about with her young nieces and they love it - what a great idea!

The Second Royal Cremation in Chiang Mai

We were extremely fortunate this winter to witness two royal cremations, something that many Thai people never have the chance to experience in their lifetime. Restaurants and food carts compete for the chance to attend these funeral rites and give away free food to thousands of people. It is believed to bring you very good luck should be be able to witness this. Jim took some great photos of the construction of the traditional cremation vessel, a flying elephant.


<--Nails are not allowed in the construction of anything in a Thai wat.


More of Jim's photos of the fabulous food available, including a huge wok, maybe 7 feet in diameter.