The Joys Of Being Easy To Please

In the South pasture at Phil’s Camino at the Veranda 2019. That’s Padre Tomas, Catherine and myself..
(photo Jim Meiklejohn)
(photo by Jim Meiklejohn)

It does come in handy during these times of lockdown, being easy to please that is. Not every darn thing is available for starters. There is shortage and rationing. But creativity kicks in and things start to happen. My Rebecca whipped out two meatloafs yesterday out of components we rounded up from the chest freezer. One for us and one for the crew next door.

Now that’s not steak or prime rib but we are extremely happy. And the best part is the leftovers. Say the phrase “meatloaf sandwiches” and everyone is this neighborhood smiles a big grin. And the comeback is, “Yea with ketchup!” That’s how it works.

So, times are harder but there seems to be a way to figure out solutions. And getting back to basics with our likes takes some of the stress off the system. Learning to be happy with a lot less. Wait didn’t we learn that on the Camino?

That reminds me of the miracle of the little piece of soap, a little itty bitty sort of miracle. I remember, don’t ask me where, going into the bathroom to wash up and realizing that I didn’t have any soap. Well maybe, just maybe there is some here somewhere. And on one of the sinks was a tiny piece of white soap on the white porcelain, almost hidden in plain sight. Normally, that would not even qualify to fit the definition of a piece, just the size of a finger nail. Well, there is MY soap I had to come to, so I washed up and I’ll be darned if there wasn’t still a “piece” when I got done. Normally, it would be swept into the waste can or go down the drain but I lovingly placed it back on the flat part of the sink where it would be safe for the next needy pilgrim. I had to shake my head at this loaves and fishes encounter but you see I’m easy to please.

So, I participated in the Virtual Camino yesterday. I was present for one of the two Q and A’s Annie O’Neil was holding in conjunction with the showing of Phil’s Camino. I am walking my trail here in a minute with friend and Mass partner Catherine which is our substitute church service.

Palm Sunday loves, Felipé.

4 thoughts on “The Joys Of Being Easy To Please”

  1. Thank you, Phil and Rebecca, for making and sharing that meatloaf and posting this story.

    Being ‘easy to please’ and the related gratitude expressed between your lines is a key to wellness in my world-view. Maybe that is a common denominator for those whom the Camino calls so persistently and loud. And in times like we are experiencing just now it frees us to be positive influences for people struggling to get through it.

    That personal quality is a great and priceless commodity for the community. No government spending bill or on-line training makes us easy to please and/or grateful-by-nature.

    So those of us who realize we have it, share your abilities with others.
    Sleep well my friends, the lessons learned this year are going to be very valuable.

    1. Ronaldo ~ The Camino lessons I find are invaluable. Hope that you all are faring well. A little crazy is OK, right? Off to walk now. Hang tough, Felipé.

  2. And Tim Quinn on the left in the photo. Thanks as always for your words of wisdom. We are grateful, easy to please, pilgrims.❤️

    1. Cathy ~ OK, Tim on the left, sorry. Well here we are in the middle of this deal, crazy huh? I did set a date for planting the corn. May 11 as a target, could be a few days before or after. Maybe just maybe will all be free by then. Come over and help us plant. It’s all cheap thrills! Hello to Tim. Felipé.x

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