Short Stories in Oak Hollow Park San Antonio Archives - Oak Hollow Park

Hanging coffee

Les — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 13:56:55 +0000

There is a little coffee shop, where two people arrive and approached the counter.

“Five coffees please. Two for us and three hanging.”

They paid, they took their two coffees and left.

I asked the waiter. “What’s this about hanging coffees?”

“Wait and you’ll see.”

Some more people came in.

Two girls asked for a coffee each, they paid & left.

The following order was for seven coffees and it was made by three women – “three for them and four hanging coffees.”

I was left wondering…what is the meaning of the hanging coffees, they leave.

Then, a man dressed in worn clothes, who looks like he might be homeless, arrives at the counter and asks sincerely …

“Do you have a coffee hanging?”

“Yes we do, sir.”

They serve him a coffee … I got my answer.

People pay in advance for a coffee that will be served to whoever can’t afford a hot drink.

This tradition started in Naples. Amazingly, it has spread throughout the world’s cities and towns.

It’s also possible to order not only “hanging coffees” but also a sandwich or a full low cost meal.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all start doing this in the cities and towns where we live?

Small kindnesses like this can impact so many lives, in ways we could never imagine.

Maybe we should all try it in San Antonio.

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How Politics Works

Les — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 01:40:14 +0000

I told my son, “You will marry the girl I choose.”

He immediately responded, “NO!”

So, I said, “But she’s Bill Gates’ daughter.”

Without hesitation, he replied, “OK.”

Next, I called Bill Gates and proposed, “I want your daughter to marry my son.”

Bill Gates firmly said, “NO.”

Then I added, “But my son is the CEO of the World Bank.”

Bill Gates reconsidered and said, “OK.”

Finally, I called the President of the World Bank and requested, “Make my son the CEO.”

He flatly refused, “NO.”

Then I mentioned, “But he’s Bill Gates’ son-in-law.”

The President quickly changed his tune and said, “OK.”

And that, my friend, is how politics really works…

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Karma

Les — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 20:08:09 +0000

Karma describes the concept of getting back whatever you give, good or bad, to the universe,

Here’s the story:

One day a man saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help.

So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out.

His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her.

Even with a smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help her for the last hour or so.

Was he going to hurt her? He didn’t look safe, he looked poor and hungry.

He could see she looked frightened, standing out there in the cold.

He knew how she felt. It was those chills which only fear can put in you.

He said, “I’m here to help you, ma’am. Why don’t you wait in the car where it is warm. By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson.

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough.

Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two.

Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.

As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to thank him.

She told him she was from Dallas and was just passing through.

She couldn’t thank him enough for coming to her aid. Bryan smiled as he closed the trunk.

The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her.

She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped.

Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job for him.

This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past.

He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.

He told her if she really want to pay him back, the very next time she saw someone that needed help, she could give that person the assistance that they needed, and Bryan added, “And think of me.”

He waited until she started her car and took off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small café. She went in to get a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her.

The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair.

She had a sweet smile, one that being on her feet all day couldn’t erase.

The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone that had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan.

After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to change for her hundred dollar bill, but the lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back.

The waitress wondered where the lady might be. Then she noticed something written on a napkin.

There were tears in her eyes as she read what the lady wrote: “You don’t owe me anything. I have been there too. Someone once helped me out, the way I’m helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do, do not let this chain of love end with you. Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.

Well there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day.

That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written.

How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it?

With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. She knew how worried her husband was, as he lay sleeping next to her.

She gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, “Everything’s going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson.”

There is an old saying “What goes around comes around.”

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Restaurant and Business Discounts

Les — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 23:51:53 +0000

WOW, I had no clue, so I decided to share this with my neighbors. Copied from a friend.

As I was waiting in line behind an older gentleman at KFC’s recently, I heard him ask for his senior discount. The girl at the register apologized and charged him less. When I asked the man what the discount was, he told me that seniors over age 55 get 10% off everything on the menu, every day.

(But you need to ASK for your discount.)

This incident prompted me to do some research, and I came across a list of restaurants, supermarkets, department stores, travel deals, and other types of offers giving various discounts with different age requirements. I was actually surprised to see how many there are and how some of them start at the young age of 50.

This list may not only be useful for you, but for your friends and family, too.

For example, Dunkin Donuts gives free coffee to people over 55.

If you’re paying for a cup every day, you might want to start getting it for FREE.

Remember, though, you must ASK for your discount!

RESTAURANTS:

Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)

Arby’s: 10% off (55+)

Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)

Bennigan’s: discount varies by location (60+)

Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)

Boston Market: 10% off (65+)

Burger King: 10% off (60+)

Chili’s: 10% off (55+)

CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)

Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)

Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)

Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)

Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)

Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)

Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)

IHOP: 10% off (55+)

Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)

KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)

Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)

Long John Silver’s: various discounts at locations (55+)

McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)

Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)

Shoney’s: 10% off

Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)

Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)

Subway: 10% off (60+)

Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)

Taco Bell: 10% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)

TCBY: 10% off (55+)

Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)

Village Inn: 10% off (60+)

Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)

Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)

Whataburger: 10% off (62+)

White Castle: 10% off (62+)

RETAIL & APPAREL:

Banana Republic: 30% off (50+)

Bealls: 20% off the first Tuesday of each month (50+)

Belk’s: 15% off the first Tuesday of every month (55+)

Big Lots: 30% off

Bon-Ton Dept Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)

C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (50+)

Clarks: 10% off (62+)

Dress Barn: 20% off (55+)

Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)

Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)

Kmart: 40% off (Wednesdays only) (50+)

Kohl’s: 15% off (60+)

Modell’s Sporting Goods: 30% off

Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions

Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)

The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)

Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)

GROCERY:

Albertson’s: 10% off the first Wednesday of each month (55+)

American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)

Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)

DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)

Food Lion: 60% off every Monday (60+)

Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)

Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)

Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)

Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)

Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)

Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)

Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)

The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)

Publix: 15% off every Wednesday (55+)

Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)

Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 15% off (62+)

TRAVEL:

Airlines:

Alaska Airlines: 50% off (65+)

American Airlines: various discounts for 50% off non-peak periods (Tuesdays – Thursdays)

ages 62 and up (call before booking for discount)

Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for

select destinations

Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Rail:

Amtrak: 15% off (62+)

Bus:

Greyhound: 15% off (62+)

Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+

Car Rental:

Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members

Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members

Budget Rental Cars: 40% off; up to 50% off for AARP members (50+)

Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)

Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members

Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members

National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members

Overnight Accommodations:

Holiday Inn: 20-40% off depending on location (62+)

Best Western: 40% off (55+)

Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)

Waldorf Astoria – NYC $5,000 off nightly rate for Presidential Suite (55+)

Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)

Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)

Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)

Econo Lodge: 40% off (60+)

Hampton Inns & Suites: 40% off when booked 72 hours in advance

Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)

InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)

Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)

Marriott Hotels: 25% off (62+)

Motel 6: Stay Free Sunday nights (60+)

Myrtle Beach Resort: 30% off (55 +)

Quality Inn: 40%-50% off (60+)

Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)

Sleep Inn: 40% off (60+)

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT :

AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)

Bally Total Fitness: $100 off memberships (62+)

Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $13 off one-day tickets (50+)

Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)

Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off

U.S. National Parks: $10-lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)

Regal Cinemas: 50% off

Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)

SeaWorld, Orlando, FL : $3 off one-day tickets (50+)

CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS :

AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $19.99/month (65+)

Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)

Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).

MISCELLANEOUS:

Great Clips: $8 off haircuts (60+)

Supercuts: $8 off haircuts (60+)

Now, go out there and claim your discounts – – and remember –

YOU must ASK for a discount —- no ask, no discount.

I know everyone knows someone over 50, so please pass this one on!

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