2026 Lessons Learned

We are not even at the end of the second month of the new year, and I already have learned some new and valuable lessons. The first lesson came the day I went to do a load of wash; I pushed the button and there was nothing. My washer was dead. I have a stackable, and the dryer worked, so there was power. This is my second set of stackable washer/dryer in 18 years. Some of my neighbors are still using the original set that came with the condos. Several years ago, my original poured all of its oil out on the floor, and I got a new set. So, there I stand looking at set #2 and thinking this can't be happening again. I am not a family of 15, it doesn't run constantly, how could it be worn out. I went to a google search and literally found nothing. I decided to put my search aside and have a long phone conversation. I then reworded my google search and this time it said to "unplug" it. Even though my washer didn't have any visible electronics, it apparently did. As I plugged it back in, I was silently saying a prayer, "please, please, please work". There was some clicking and it was back. Phew!!!! 

Lesson learned is to "unplug". We do that with our phones, computers, TV and all sorts of things that stop working. We can now add washer/dryer to the list.    

Another big lesson for me is, I need to keep better track of my store receipts. I went to Giant Tiger to return a sweater. Of course, I thought it fit, but it didn't, and I had already thrown the receipt away. I wasn't concerned because from a previous experience when I had no receipt, they reimbursed me with a GT gift card. I got a wonderful clerk, and she took my information and said, "Oh you are already in our system". You betcha, I thought. She then went on to say that the system keeps track of how many times a person returns things without a receipt, and once you have done it 3 times you will get spoken to. I have only one more offense and I will then learn another lesson from the authorities at Giant Tiger. Noted!!!!

The third lesson is that pizza pans are a stealable item. For several years now, I have baked for a family. The baking goes to their home in a variety of ways, usually a margarine container. Recently, I sent both of my pizza pans. My friend always very efficiently returns them in a timely fashion. Within a couple of days, she will just set them on my doorstep. I thought it was odd that she didn't do the same with the pizza pans, but I wasn't concerned. I was needing them to make dessert pizza, and I asked her about them. She had done her usual and dropped them off on the doorstep probably a month ago, it was after 8 on a very cold January night. We are in dismay that I never got them. We hate to think this but, we feel someone took them. What is concerning is that someone walked right up to my door. I guess even though it was on my property, someone felt they were free to whoever wanted them during a cold January night. Let me tell you, they didn't get much of a steal. We have a new system now, which is notification of drop off. 

As you know I have a friend who has a guide dog. Every single time I see this dog I am in absolute amazement. He is a regular at my Monday coffee. He just lays under the table waiting for it to be over. He is trained in sight, hearing and balance. Here is the latest: his owner has been noticing when they walk in the mall hallway, he goes very slowly. When he is in harness, he sets the pace and his pace is like a turtle, just in the hallway. Once he is in the stores he goes his usual pace. The only thing she can determine is that the mall floors have a very slippery surface and he has slowed his pace for her safety. Depending on what shoes I wear, or if there is snow on my boots, I also walk like a turtle in the mall. It is just fascinating that every possible safety detail has been taught to this dog, even a slippery surface in a mall.   

At last Monday coffee, a man in a wheelchair and his service dog came to visit "V". We asked him what service his yellow lab provided. The gent is a diabetic and if his blood sugar goes up or down during the night his dog will wake him. If he can't wake him, he goes to the door and barks until someone comes. The smell of a diabetic's breath changes if their blood sugar goes out of normal limits. Even though the dog is sound asleep, he is trained to act. Trained dogs are always working; while visiting with us, the man dropped his keys, and his dog just picked them up and gave them back. 

Dog's that are trained to be diabetic service dogs will get help when their owner is in need, retrieve food and medication and some have a specialized device to call 911. I can't imagine the freedom and comfort diabetics with service dogs must have knowing their dog will keep them safe.  

A dog's sense of smell is 10,000-100,000 times more sensitive and powerful than humans. They have around 200-300 million olfactory receptors in their nose. Humans only have about 5-6 million. 

We are familiar with dogs being part of missing persons, drugs, and explosives. Dogs can also be trained to detect cancer-related odors. It is believed they can pick up on volatile organic compounds of VOCs that are produced by altered cellular metabolism associated with cancer. Even in low concentrations, dogs are able to detect them through samples of blood, urine, breath and even through skin. It is believed that dogs without training will touch a spot of cancer. Medical science is not ready to hand over the diagnosis of cancer to dogs. Although, they do see them as a supplemental research tool. 

I have come to realize that I am at the point in my life that I will remember the little life lessons. The big and complicated lessons are not going to stick and stay. The main reason is I am simply not interested. If it doesn't make sense to me, there is no way I will retain it. I know I will remember to unplug any electrical item if it doesn't work. I will also make a conscious effort to keep my receipts. Animals will always be of fascination to me. Dogs that are trained to help someone have more freedom and live a better life, simply melt my heart. 

I am aware, no one will ever reach "full" capacity when it comes to learning. But just for the moment let's just pride ourselves on what we can and do learn. I am pretty sure my year holds so many more valuable lessons. I hope yours does as well.