Ashland Speaks by Lula Anderson - 13 February 2026

Another week of winter gone!  The sun is stronger (when it is out), and the days are longer.  I have heard more stories about heating systems going out, water pipes freezing and people running out of wood than I have in years.  It seems everyone I have spoken to has had some sort of problem.  I think cabin fever is really setting in as I have been getting phone calls from more people — from Kentucky to Virginia.  On Sunday, I sat looking out the window at the snow blowing from my roof and across the yard.  My stoves couldn't compete with the cold wind blowing around the house.  Monday was such a treat when the temps rose to 20, and the wind wasn't blowing.  The sun was shining and reflecting off the snow making my house toasty again.  I've always found it quite humorous that in the summer we WANT our houses to be 60 degrees while in the winter 60 is outrageously cold.  I've been trying to convince myself that this is what we strive for in the summer.  Nope, it's not working.

I have been faithfully listening to Gerard from Bellhouse Fitness every Tuesday morning on WRIP, and lately he's been giving life expectancies:  76 for men and 81 for women.  We, on the Mountain Top, are way past that.  I would hazard a guess and say the average age of the members of WAJPL is close to 90.  I just heard that HeartStone in Catskill will be celebrating a special birthday, one of the participants there will be 108.  Don't forget, Rose Hudecek was 102 when she passed.  I always knew we were special.

For those members of WAJPL who are going on the trip to Virginia  April 14th thru 19th,  the final payment is due by February 20th.  PO Box 96 Hensonville, NY.  We will not be having a meeting until the 23rd.  Hopefully the temperatures will be warmer by then and we can all venture forth.  We get worried about our members getting blown about and slipping on the ice.

WAJ Drama Club will be presenting WILLIE WONKA - THE MUSICAL on March 6,7,8 with the dress rehearsal Dinner Theater for Senior Citizens on March 5th.  For reservations, call Theresa at 518-299-3135 and leave a message with your name and how many people will be coming before February 28th.  Please reserve so the restaurants know how much food to supply.  It's better to say yes and not show than to show up last minute without a reservation.  Extra food feeds cast and crew who definitely deserve a good meal.  

Continued prayers for Tom Hoyt, Tom Drum, Greg Beckmann and Tricia LoPresti.

AS I REMEMBER IT

Ash Wednesday is February 18th which is the start of the Lenten Season.  Shrove Tuesday Pancake Suppers are starting to be advertised; fish sales are appearing.  Growing up we were told we had to give up something for lent, usually a sweet like soda and candy, not that we consumed much of that normally, but it was an easy thing to give up, and made us feel good.  Then on Easter morning, the candy tasted so much better.  Many years ago, I decided that instead of giving up something, I would do  something to make me a better person.  There was a woman in my office who I really didn't get along with.  She was critical of me and others, and, because of seniority, always took prime vacation days, plus didn't care who had plans, and would call in sick just when others needed the time off.  My Mitzvah that year was to say something nice, or do something nice to her every day.  I'm not going to lie and say that I did it willingly, and everyday, especially the first week, and I would have to struggle to smile at her and say something complimentary.  She didn't make it any easier on me, often responding with barbs and criticism but as the weeks progressed, it started becoming easier to think of something, and her comments became less acerbic.  We never became close friends, but life became a little easier for us.

A few years later, I was talking about Lent with my supervisor, and we decided to do Random Acts of Kindness as our obligation.  Something as simple as picking up a toy that a little kid had dropped, to letting someone with less items in the grocery line to go ahead of us.  When the office was empty, we reported to each other what we had done, not to garner praise, but to let the other know that we were still doing it.  It's funny how that has stayed with me since.  Just lately I let a gentleman go in front of me at the grocery store, and we got in a conversation.  He had been up all morning plowing, then went to church, and was exhausted.  Just saving the few minutes made him feel better, and the next time I saw him he smiled and greeted me pleasently.  

Phone calls to shut-ins, started during Lent, have become a weekly habit.  Taking leftovers to a friend who is on home delivered meals for the weekend is no longer a Mitzvah, but a way of life.  With Lent just a few days away, I am thinking of what I can do to better my life, along with helping others.  Maybe you can try helping others by just starting for forty days, and winding up making a lifetime of volunteering.