Random Acts of Kindness
As I met my friend Seamus outside his office last week to go to the movies, he handed me a package, sealed inside a clear plastic interoffice envelope.
“Here,” he said, shoving the envelope in my hands. “I don’t want any part in your illicit transactions.”
“What is this?”
“It’s from my coworker, Robin. He said to give this to you.”
I looked down at the package and my eyes widened as I spied the familiar logo stamped across the brown paper bag.
“No way! Where did he get this?! How did he know I liked Girl Scouts? Wait… who’s Robin?”
“I think you might have seen his band play. I don’t know… I guess he reads your blog. Like I said, don’t try to drag me into your world.”
We hopped on the El and headed up to the theater. I carefully pulled the calendar out of the bag and let out a squeal as I saw the cover.
It was an original 1960 Girl Scout Calendar in mint condition, and it was just glorious. After flipping through each month, I quickly put it back into the plastic sheath, safe from the grunting, dripping, elbowing savages all around me on the train. They wouldn’t understand.
This is the perfect guide to keep me on task as I navigate my way through the Year of the Badge. Each month, I will be inspired by the smiling faces of my sister Scouts as we all strive to live up to the Girl Scout code.
I’m only going to show you January right now, but seriously, you do NOT want to miss February. It’s so the best. Except for May – that one is totally the best. Ohmigod, I just looked at June again – I don’t even want to tell you what’s going on in June, but there’s a boy and a calf, and some Converse Chucks. And oh, man, I cannot WAIT to do what they’re doing in October. I’m not even sure if that’s legal in the city limits, but holy cats, is that going to be fun!
So stick around, because this year is just getting started. And thanks to the unexpected kindness and generosity of strangers, it’s already off to an amazing start. Thank you again, Robin! You are well on your way to earning your citizenship badge!
JANUARY 1960
“So proud of their Flag at all times, but especially interested in the placement of the stars in the new Flag.”
Filed under: General, Girl Scouts on January 27th, 2010
January 27th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Oh yes! The new flag! When we added, wait, Kuwait and, was it Cuba?
January 28th, 2010 at 12:47 am
I like the hypnotic note on the brown paper cover. “You will enjoy enjoy this beautiful calendar”. Next thing you know you’ll be stumbling around mumbling “I must kill the Queen” just like Reggie Jackson. Is there a Kill The Queen badge?
January 28th, 2010 at 1:29 am
I am pleased at long last to know what all those blank spaces around the dates are for… memos? daily reminders? appointments? That’s GENIUS! I can see how that could be very helpful indeed! Why don’t they print such astoundingly useful information on modern calendars?
January 28th, 2010 at 4:00 am
And I just became the worst ex-girl scout ever. There used to be a calendar? Wait, is there STILL a calendar?
January 28th, 2010 at 8:35 am
don: no, the new flag was when we had to remove one star after we gave back canada.
seamus: there’s a “create your own” badge, so i suppose it could be the kill the queen one…
dave2: because now they have a girl scout app for that.
sarah: i hate to break it to you, sarah, but yes, there is STILL a calendar. i’m going to have to ask for your calendar sale badge back.
January 28th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
The last picture goes very well with my perception of the Girl Scouts as being the defenders of American freedom.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Wow. You really are hardcore. Are you wearing a uniform everywhere you go now too?
January 28th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Is it just me or does that Brownie look like Beaver Cleaver? Maybe that’s where he went…
January 29th, 2010 at 8:29 am
vahid: it’s true! i can’t wait until i earn my bayonet badge!
churlita: no, you’re really only supposed to wear the uniform for official Scout business. so you know, i mostly only wear it when i’m shaking down local businesses for their weekly “taxes.”
finn: i was thinking she looked a lot like Buster Brown. hey kid! gimme my damn shoes!
January 29th, 2010 at 10:42 am
That is rad!
January 29th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Well done, Robin! And I say that with only the deepest admiration, because while I’m able to recognize when someone has given the perfect gift, I’m the complete suck at being able to accomplish such a feat myself.
Jenny, please promise me that whatever you’re doing in October will not involve meringue, lace, or charm school.
January 30th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
I think I’m a little bit in love with Seamus. “Don’t try to drag me into your world.” Indeed.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:48 am
Jenny, you know that you can re-use that calendar in 2016, eh? Just imagine!
http://whencanireusethiscalendar.com/?y=1960
Mike
February 9th, 2010 at 8:34 am
sizzle: no, it’s WAY rad!
shari: you’re in luck – october will involve ALL of those things!
tracy lynn: yeah, he’s got that certain smart-assitude je ne sais quoi…
mike: NO WAY! I’m keeping this beauty in plastic for the next six years so she’s still in mint condition!
July 29th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Oh my gosh, I had no idea there were others out there like me. I am an artist that documents my school experiences of the 1960’s, mostly related to Catholic Schools. I just started working on a Girl Scout series, and scored a uniform on Ebay. Next I was searching for images from that era, and LOVE your images, ebay finds and comments. Truly an inspiration for others with the same obsession. THANKS!!!!