This just happened with the beginning of the week;

Last Friday I started this mowing job, scything the banks of a pond to increase biodidversity and to keep it an open water habitat, preventing rejuvenation of Willows and Alders. it is a daunting task, high biomass, dense vegetation, decent slopes on a lot of parts, quite the pickle, heavy work ngl.

I had to do it all by myself, which was going to take me some time, likely not even able to finish within time. Despite all this I started anyway. Slow and steady, with a sharp scythe, I knew what to do...

Friday was nearing its end, I was like 1/10 in, untill two walkers stopped for small talk and comment on the work, on their way out I jokingly said "Hey if you wanna help... I got some pitchforks and rakes in the car!" They could tell I was joking, but one of them replied with a smile "I'm too old for this, but I got a son at home who likes doing this stuff." The moment passed and they were gone after this, and I finished the day. Going into the weekend I came home and kind of forgot about this all.

So Monday rolls in, I get to the pond and I start scything. About half an hour in this young, 17 year old man rides up to me with his bike and stands there. I ask him "Can I help you with something?" To which he replied "I am here to help, my mom told me you'd be here" I was so impressed with this. It was Monday, I was feeling it and I had a lot of heavy work ahead of me, I completely forgot about that interaction I had with the two walkers. Hard to explain how much I appreciated this.

I thanked him profusely and started explaining to him what we're doing. He's a great worker, picked things up very fast, and let me tell you scything has a steep learning curve. Because of his help we were able to finish most of it in 3 days, which would've otherwise easily cost me a week.

He mentioned he's very interested in machinery and tractors. I am too so we chatted often about them I gave him some tips or suggestions for career pathways that might check out with his interests.

Second day I came back with a tractor, I wanted to give back in some way. For reasons I can't pay him, so I figured we can use the tractor to push all the hay to one spot. He said he enjoyed that immensely, and really appreciated the opportunity. I still feel like I owe him, but I'm glad to atleast give him something in return.

So I was chatting with my mom and I asked her if my grandma knows about gay people to which my mom said “Oh yeah she loves the gays” (keep in mind my grandma only knows Spanish so my mom translates) and after a bit of back and forth my mom said that: “She loves and respects them. She’s the one who told me to be supportive of them” and I asked if she’d take me to a pride parade and she said “I would but junes over”

I just love how this helps break the stereotypes of older people being homophobes or racists

So, I'm in the middle of planning my wedding and we're way over budget. So, I have money concerns. My cousin has always been there for me and everyone and he spent 10 years of his life taking care of his father and now he's forced to take care of his mother (who's not a nice person). I let him calla and vent. Anyway, his birthday is in September and we dont' normally exchange gifts. However, I knew that he wanted this limited edition Deadpool item. So, I bought it for him early. He was so touched.

https://preview.redd.it/tsvi5adaszad1.png?width=1456&format=png&auto=webp&s=0a19f78845ab4d43ce47c041e194accf9bb594ff