January 6 – “Intentional”. Many Thanks to Dan for today’s prompt, as we take a moment or two each day this month to reflect on words that come from the community. And thanks to Linda G Hill for getting us organized!

(Part 1 of 3)

We knew she’d pass this way at just this time, a bucket full of seed for the birds in one hand and weighed down by an overstuffed backpack. Once she’d made sure the wildlife—well, CITY wildlife—were fed, she’d stop by our near-campus coffee shop for a small black coffee, which she took outdoors to watch the birds and squirrels scratch through what she’d left for them. She’d sit on the hard bench in the campus greenspace, tiny woman with a tight smile, pull a crust of bread out of the side pocket of her Goodwill wool jacket, and join them in their feast.

She walked past the glass front of the shop four, sometimes five days a week, the weight of the full bucket tipping her to one side. The bucket was a tall one, a pickle bucket that most folks would use for ice fishing. But she rarely said a word, and never looked fully relieved, even after her goods had been distributed; she knew she’d be back on the job the next day. Her generosity was intentional and reliable.

Joe once offered her a cup of the black for free and even tried to throw in an egg-bacon muffin-round gratis, but she just growled at him, said “Thank you very much, but I can pay my own way.”

(To be continued…)

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2026) 

To read others’ responses or join in yourself, please visit  https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/06/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-6th-2026/