Kindness of Strangers: World Kindness Day Poetry

A holiday worth note,

today's World Kindness Day.

Wish that everyday kindness

were here to stay.

Monthly Poetry Group

chose this as our theme.

Ironic, since my poetry

mostly makes people scream. 

But please bear with me

once again today.

As I try poetry again,

maybe make some headway?

Kindness of Strangers

It happens when 

you're preoccupied.

Bad situations,

into trouble you slide.

That's how it was

that fateful day.

I found bad luck

had come my way.

There I was

pretty much stuck.

And in that place . . .

it sure did suck.

Had plenty of time

for frustration, dismay.

To blame myself,

for ending up this way.

And so I stayed

there in a crouch.

Wishing I'd stayed home,

on the comfortable couch.

Would I be there,

in limbo for life?

Never again to bake,

cut veggies with a knife?

Orange Cranberry Cake

To me it felt,

been there for days.

With too few options,

eyes started to glaze.

It's then I heard her

next to me.

I'd call out to a stranger,

then . . . we'll see.

It's then she extended

her hand to me.

Tears in my eyes,

I accepted with glee.

It's true that sometimes
we might find.
Strangers extending kindness,
of the two-ply kind.

Before you go, click on these links to more poetry from some of my friends:
Diane of On the Border shares Be Kind. 
Dawn of Spatulas on Parade shares A Kinder Gentler World. 
Lydia of Cluttered Genius shares They Ain’t Your Friend.

Orange Cranberry Cake

                                                                          ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 can (15 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
1 box (15.25 oz) orange cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1/2 cup orange juice 
1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 1/3 cups heavy cream
1/3 cup powdered sugar

Directions:
*Place the cranberry sauce in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 1 1/2 minutes. Place in a sieve over the bowl and gently stir until you have 3/4 cup of liquid in the bowl. Set the liquid aside for use in the frosting. You'll use the solid portion in the cake.
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 X 13 baking pan.
*Beat the cake mix, eggs, oil and orange juice for 2 minutes. Mix in the cranberries (not the liquid in the bowl but the solids in the sieve) and the pecans. 
*Spread into the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the center springs back to the touch. Cool completely.
*Beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and reserved cranberry liquid and continue beating until stiff peaks hold. Spread onto the cooled cake.
*Store leftovers in the refrigerator, bring to room temperature for serving.