volunteering...

 volunteering...

                  

 I have spoken to a number of people who prefer to do volunteer work as an Encore Performance instead of seeking a parttime income stream  

  In a previous blog, I talked with a man who travels with the Red Cross to disaster sites and does whatever is asked of him.  It was a humbling conversation. 

  In all of my conversations with POS (people over sixty), I have had few people tell me they would not consider volunteering.  Perhaps there are more who feel that way, but, didn't share those feelings.

  HUH?  What's up with that?   

  All of the prime suspects to benefit from the labor of volunteers are accounted for in every city.  Animal shelters, organizations to assist abused and homeless children, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, hospitals, and drug rehab facilities to name a few.  These groups and many more all across America rely on volunteers to reach their goals. 

  Most of the people I have talked with say giving of their time and experience is rewarding.  Linda Solley-Knipe is a good example.

   If you don't love what you are doing, that's okay, but, you have to at least enjoy it, she theorized. 

  You are a volunteer with the Louisville Zoo.  What type of chores do you perform at the zoo?

  It depends where they need help, she said.  I've done a lot of different things over the years.  I have helped visitors, assisted trainers, any number of jobs.  

  Are you a longtime zoo volunteer?

  Oh, quite a while, she mused.  Probably about 20 years.  

  Why do you volunteer there?  Why not a hospital or soup kitchen? 

  I love animals, Linda answered.  I love being around them and watching them in their world. 

   What about your working days.  Did you have a career?

  I worked in real estate most of my life, she offered.  For the past 30 years, I purchased property for Louisville International Airport and their relocation program.

  So you bought the houses and properties to expand the airport.  That all coincided with the UPS hub locating here, right?

  That's right, she agreed.  Airport expansion started in 1988 and they started buying property shortly after that.  I started in 1991.  By then, the FAA had approved the expansion and we were good to go.   

  Do you have family?  Kids, grandkids?

  I have two kids and two grandchildren, she smiled. 

  Now that you have retired, how are you going to spend your time?

  Well, that's the difficult question, she said thoughtfully.  I've got two dogs that  are my protectors and companions, but, I don't know yet.  I grow orchids as a hobby and I am the treasurer of the Kentucky Orchid Society.  

   Have you ever read Rex Stout's, Nero Wolfe, series?

  No, I don't think I have, she answered.

  Nero Wolfe was an overweight, kind of eccentric, New York City detective who had 10 thousand orchids growing in rooms on the rooftop of his brownstone apartment.  Maybe it was 15 thousand, I don't remember, but, he had a lot.

   I don't have that many I can tell you that, she laughed.  

  There for a while, I was buying an orchid every month.  We have a white one in the middle of the island in our kitchen.  But, they keep dying.  I follow the directions too.

  Well, first of all, there are thousands of varieties, she informed me.  And, there are some that are more difficult than others.  You know the ones you see in the grocery store that tell you to put ice cubes in them to water them?

  Yes, that's what I do.  And, I buy my flowers at a supermarket.  

  Well, those ice cubes are the kiss of death, she frowned at me.  Orchids are tropical!  If you were in an area that didn't get colder than 70 degrees, would you want ice cubes put on your feet?

  Okay, I get that, so, what's the answer?

  The best way to water an orchid is to get a bowl of tepid water, not hot, not cold, she instructed me.  Set the pot with the plant in the bowl and leave it for a while.  

  I will try your method.  You sound like you know what you are talking about when it comes to orchids.

  I should, I've been doing this for a lot of years, she countered. 

  How about a bucket list.  Do you have one?

  I don't think I want a bucket list, she guessed.  If something comes up that I want to do, I will do it, but, I can't think of anything right now that I really want to do.  Except for one.  I would love to go to Africa and see the animals.  

  This is probably where a psychologist would say, That's why you volunteer at the zoo.

  Maybe, she agreed.

  What animal do you think is the smartest of the smart?

  Oh, Orangutans, she quickly replied.  They are brilliant.

  Give me an example. 

  Well, I'll tell you a story, she volunteered.  When the zoo built the islands area, they built it differently than they ever had before.  It had to do with how they could move the Orangs, Tigers, and, Babirusas to different enclosures.   

  So they had more freedom? 

  In a way, she nodded.  When the zoo got the Orangs, the enclosures for them was specially built.  If you haven't seen it, it is huge. Plus. it took several months to construct.  Very complicated structure. 

  Soon after it was completed, an Orang climbed up to the very top where there were a series of bolts holding the whole thing together.  He or she would  climb all the way up and take one or two bolts out.  

   The Orang would climb down the enclosure and walk over to the window where the keeper was sitting and hold up the bolt.  They would wave the bolt at him or her until the Orang got a treat in exchange for the bolt.  

  That sounds pretty amazing. 

  Think about it, she chipped in. How did the Orang know the bolt was important?  Then, how did it know to take the bolt out?

  Linda, I hope you figure out this conundrum.

  Oh, I already have the answer! she quipped.  Orangs are just really, really smart.  

  Mike Brooker is in his early 60s and he recently retired.

  I sold tools for 46 years and I was ready, he said.

  What about family?

  My wife and I have two granddaughters, one here and one in California, so we'll be going out there too, he guessed.

  What are your plans now that you have all this free time?

  We are going to volunteer at a couple soup kitchens and a food pantry, he smiled.   

  Do you have any particular reason why you want to do volunteer work?

  Well, I've been very fortunate in my life and very blessed, he said convincingly.  It's time to give back.

  I assume we means you and your wife. 

  Indeed it does, he confirmed.  She and I feel the same way about our blessings. 

  How about a bucket list?  Do you have one?

  No, not really.  I just want good health.  We really don't need anything else. 

  Coming up:  another job$ somebody's gotta do; a POS issue, and; a conversation with a retired judge. 

  And, finally.  As you grow older, you will discover you have two hands.  One for helping yourself and the other for helping others....Audrey Hepburn