They are called acts of kindness (A.O.K.), and many reading this already know what they are, while some may not. Simply put, they are deeds done by many who find it in their hearts to help others around them.
You may have heard about or witnessed someone driving through a McDonald’s or Burger King, etc., who was just pulling out his/her wallet to pay for the ordered food, when the attendant says that the man or woman in the car ahead has already paid their bill. (An A.O.K.)
Last summer while working at our family melon stand just west of Forestburg, I was visiting with a good friend of mine from teaching days long ago, when an elderly lady walked in and picked out some produce. As she approached the counter, my friend said, “I’m paying for that”. It took me by surprise, much as it did the lady. I found out later that my friend was accustomed to doing this sort of thing. (An A.O.K.)
Another example of this was told during a recent conversation with my brother-in-law. He was telling me how his daughter was having an absolutely horrible morning one day, and as she pulled up to a drive-up coffee stand, the lady working there said her order was “on the house” and that the vehicle just leaving had already paid her bill. (An A.O.K.) When she heard that, her day had suddenly turned around and became bearable once again.
While sitting on a plane returning home from Phoenix recently, I was taking mental notes of what needed to be done after arriving at our house. I told my wife that once we were home, I would help with the suitcases, open the house, turn up the furnace, etc., etc. I also was aware of the fact that it had snowed since our departure, so I quickly added that after completing these chores, I would then begin snow-blowing or shoveling our driveway. Later that day, as we approached home and were about to turn into our drive, we were surprised to see it totally removed of all snow. I immediately came up with the person whom I thought may have been responsible for doing this good deed, but was wrong in my assumption, and after talking with several others, was still unable to identify that person. After much detective work, I learned that it was a neighbor from up the road living over a mile away. I thanked him for his “act of kindness” (he wished to remain anonymous). What a nice thing to do for someone! Thank you again (you know who you are).
We all should be more like those I’ve just mentioned. It needn’t be done from only a monetary sense, but in any way to show others that there are kind people in this troubled world we live in.
Remember, it’s O.K. to perform an A.O.K.!!!
Kelly Larson
Woonsocket

When I picked up the book Killing Jesus by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard a few weeks ago, I didn’t realize that the religious season of Lent was coming so soon. Sometimes the coincidences of life are surprising, meaningful and should not be ignored.
I am not a fan of Bill O’Reilly; his political views are not mine and his rhetoric can become irritating. However, a couple people had shared with me that this book was a very quick read that had something to say, so I buried my animosity and read it.
This book is the story of Jesus Christ from his birth to his crucifixion, and O’Reilly, being the political animal that he is, approached the telling of this story from that perspective. I learned much about the political atmosphere and the unscrupulous power of the leaders during the time Jesus lived. There was much dissension between the Roman government and the Jews, and those in power had a difficult balancing act to keep both sides satisfied. Jesus upset that act as he preached against the morals and beliefs of the Romans and pled for the compassion of Christian doctrine.
The reader walks with Jesus as he grows and matures into the Savior, enduring the injustices and problems he was born to correct. We become familiar with his disciples with all of their flaws and weaknesses, and in the afterword, the authors share what happened to each of them after Jesus’ death.
The telling of the trial and execution of Jesus is very descriptive and hard to read. Those condemned to crucifixion endured a scourging where they were methodically beaten and flogged almost to the point of death before they were forced to carry the upper crossbeam of the cross to their execution site. It is evident that the authors had carefully researched the physical and mental effects of crucifixion on the human body, which was used a great deal by the Romans.
In fact, the entire historical account was deeply researched as noted by the long list of sources at the end of the book, and the citations and footnotes in the text. There were many Biblical references, but most were found in the Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These guys did their homework to make this book historically correct.
O’Reilly’s and Dugard’s premise in the book is that Jesus was “the most influential man that every lived,” not only in his own time, but throughout history and into modern times. His story is still being told, and many of the things he stood for are still being debated today. Their intention was not to write a religious book or promote any kind of religious doctrine, and I think they succeeded. However, for anyone who believes Jesus was the Son of God and came to save all people from sin will be reassured that He did indeed exist and His influence is still changing the world.

I am on a mission to save money. My end goal in sight is to save for a 60th birthday trip in October to Napa Valley, San Francisco, Redwood Forest and Alcatraz. Hello, melon fields. Can you hear me? I am proud to tell you I’ve only been to Mitchell once in a month and a half, which also helps out our local grocery store, Woony Foods. I love, love having a store again in town. Especially for running back to town three times when I forget ingredients for a recipe.
Yet, with my fondness for travel, I have had to maintain some degree in order to maintain my sanity. Last year we started a new tradition of a group of friends to meet the Saturday closest to Valentine’s Day and reconnect with each other’s lives, with laughter and gossip. First requirement is to wear red and allow time for a three-hour lunch.
I was in charge of entertainment this year and Georgia and I had a fire red lipstick contest. My daughter begged me to take it off, which I ignored. Georgia decided she has thin turned-down lips and said she looked like a stroke victim. I have the full lips and looked like a plunger. Teresa Fonder at Van Dykes said I looked just like the joker from “Batman” ‘cuz my face is too white.
Next, I had a list of 10 questions all connected to romance: #1. Would couple’s therapy have helped Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara? #2. Most romantic movie — my all-time vote was “Moonstruck” with Cher and Nicolas Cage. Cher has been engaged to his older boring brother for eight years. She boinks Nicolas, the younger brother (who by the way only has one hand). His best line is when he tries to convince her he’s her man, “Loretta, love isn’t about playing it safe, love is here to torture you and it’s about breaking your heart and loving the wrong people at the wrong time.”
This weekend Georgia, Susie (alias Magda) and I traveled to Brookings with an end stop at Watertown. Our goal was to meet up with Georgia’s daughter, Tracy, and finally be introduced to her beau named Paul. There is no better trip than one that has no agenda or time schedule. We met up with my son, Cole, and had brunch with him and learned how to pronounce a word that has always bugged me when I’m reading, “Ennui.” Even he had to Google and it’s French, like N-WEE. I always try to keep a dictionary by my side when reading.
The rest of the day we strolled through antique and second hand shops in downtown Brookings and Watertown. I am currently obsessed with old sheep pictures, a throwback from childhood, evidently. I did buy one at a rummage sale in Mitchell at the scariest looking garage (I almost didn’t stop). I discovered a print for $2 on the ground by a French artist. Tracy Googled and it was selling for $125. I can’t part with it.
No shopping is complete without a stop for adult beverages and we stopped at Goss Gallery and Opera House. We fell in love with the old brick walls, tin ceilings and huge, cozy chairs we nestled into. It was right after I offered to drive that I stood up and fell off my shoe (high clog) and hit the floor unceremoniously, awkwardly righted myself and promptly fell over a second time. Georgia said, “And you think you should drive!” Thankfully, there was only one other customer in our room and he had his earplugs in and missed the whole she-bang.
We stayed at the Ramada, which has a Minerva’s restaurant attached. Good choice! We settled in by the fireplace for some girl talk. We promptly ran off four other people with our reminiscing. One younger man kept going past and cheered each time at us. (Maybe it was my bright orange vest and he mistook me for a hunter.) We ate a late supper at the ungodly hour of 8 p.m. By then I could barely hobble and I’m sure we were special. Every time I woke up thinking of the time change, I thought, “If I’ve broken a bone in this foot, I will be in deep —- at work.” The only glitch was trying to figure out our handicap shower in the morning.
We truly were on our best behavior for lunch with Tracy and Paul. We didn’t want to scare him right at the start with our dysfunctional personalities. I found common ground quickly because he’s a cattleman and runs an auction house and loves antiques. I am well versed in red Angus and black Angus and told him, “My Claude is gonna love you for cattle talk.” We voted and gave Paul the thumbs up and headed home. I had to laugh because you know you’re in South Dakota when you stop at a gas station and they have the fish report posted by the bathroom wall as to what fish are biting at what lake. Never seen that done before.
Older & No Wiser,
Dee Baby
Editor’s note: Really, Dee?! Butcher paper?!?