Get Out of That Recliner!

I have a recliner in our living room. I call it the Chair of Death, not so much because of any particular lethal qualities but because the minute I sit in it I fall asleep.

I’m not kidding. I have been known to be in mid-sentence and, because of the chair’s potent soporific powers, I will fall asleep.

It’s so powerful that I specifically stay away from the chair in the evening, because it gets in the way of my hollering at the kids and complaining about politicians.

“That doggone old — fill in the blank here — I think we ought to … Zzzzzzz.”

One time I was sitting in the chair and saying a prayer and mentioned Saint Paul. As I fell asleep, it came out “Saint Potato.”

Must’ve been an Irish saint.

Needless to say, this does not lend itself to domestic tranquility.

“Yes, dear, I think you’re right. If only … Zzzzzzz.”

Nor does it take into account the fact that there are so many things that need to be done around our community.

On occasion, I hear the comment, “There’s nothing to do.”

This comes from kids most often, but also from adults. They maintain that we live in some sleepy little town and that, unless we are hauling our rear ends to Salem or Portland or some other god-forsaken corner of the universe to spend a pile of money, there’s nothing to do.

I beg to differ. Last weekend was fairly typical for us. It consisted of sporting events, fund-raising auctions — two at the same time! — and breakfasts. Combine that with all of the others things that need to get done during the weekend because weeknights are also busy, and the “I’m bored” argument just doesn’t fly.

Which — finally, you’re probably thinking — brings me to my point. I am not aware of any local group that says it has too many volunteers. Civic groups, clubs, libraries, schools, churches and local government are all in desperate need of folks to help out.

Any one of them would welcome your interest and support.

I have a saying that I stole from someone else: “You get out of it what you put in.” If you stay at home and play the role of spectator, things just won’t be terribly fulfilling.

But if you roll up your sleeves and help out, whether it’s slinging hash brown potatoes at a fund-raising breakfast or swinging a hammer at a Habitat for Humanity house, you’ll find something far more exciting.

You don’t need any amazing skills. You can read to children, or you can lend an ear to someone who just needs to talk things out.

Of course, you already knew this. In eighth grade, we all learned about how a community depends on each individual. “Many hands make little work,” we were told.

If you’re like me, all you have to do is get out of that recliner.

By the way, did I ever tell about the time …. Zzzzzzz.