Tuesday, July 22, 2008
New Hook is very Nice
latest pair of cotton crocheted potholders
A couple weeks ago I was reading a crafter’s blog, and she was going on and on about her ADDI crochet hook. It seems ADDI hooks are made in Germany and the comfort handles are a dream to work with.
I had never heard of them, so I went looking. I’m a bit tired of so many things made in China. I donated all those hooks to the supply drawer at the activity center.
I found an auction on E-bay where the seller was willing to take a money order, but the bidding went way higher than I am willing to pay for one more crochet hook.
Then I renewed my quest around the ‘Net.
Lo and Behold, Angelika’s Yarn Store actually in USA’s far Northwest, has ADDI hooks as a regular item.
I ordered the size to make potholders, one for me, and one to send on to Aunt Ruth.
The blue grass color yarn in the picture has been in a bag in the corner for a few months, ever since I bought it in the clearance aisle of Hobby Lobby.
It seemed appropriate to get it out and initiate my new hook with such lovely yarn.
I do like the ADDI hook, but I will still be using other hooks depending on the project and what mood I’m in.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
There’s no way to know. . . . .
Last evening I walked over to the Concerts on the Quad on the ISU campus. The type of music this week is Jazz, featuring members and friends of the faculty. Professional musicians on a makeshift stage doesn’t get much better.
The weather was iffy to be outdoors, but there is an ‘in case of rain’ alternate auditorium inside one of the buildings, so off I went.
I decided to treat myself a little, so I put a bottle of root beer in the fridge in the morning, then carried it in the side pocket of my crochet bag.
As I was walking through the north parking lot, a man about my age was taking his folding chair out of the trunk of his car. He asked if I was going to the Quad, and at my affirmative answer, he fell into step with me.
I didn’t see any cause for concern, we were just going to the same event at the same time.
There was no way I could walk any faster to avoid him. I had already walked more than half the distance from my house, and I was carrying my bag and chair. I kept the pace I have learned is comfortable for my short legs.
He started to talk about how much he likes Jazz music, and asked if I know anybody performing.
This also seemed harmless enough conversation, and I answered that I know many people who work on campus.
Even though I was walking normally, he was finding it a bit difficult to walk alongside. I took this as a sign that maybe I, myself am getting into better physical condition.
By the time we got to the corner and stood waiting for the light to change, he was breathing a bit fast. Those few seconds of standing still were enough to revive him, so once across the street, he asked if I was meeting anyone.
I wasn’t sure what to say. I wasn’t really, but several folks I know also like to attend these events, so sometimes I sit nearby. Usually, I like to be by myself and settle in with my crochet and watch what everybody else is doing.
And then I realized what he might be leading up to, as in, would it be fine if we were to sit together, what with a common interest in music and all?
I stopped walking and set down my chair for a rest. I looked full at him. I sure hope my acting ability came out good, but mostly what I felt was motherly concern.
Which is weird because the situation we were in, at age early 50s, is what kids in junior high go through.
His question had asked if I was meeting anyone.
He looked hopeful about my response.
I tried so hard to keep the expression on my face neutral.
I didn’t think I had done anything to give him reason for hope.
I don’t really want to hurt a guy’s feelings, especially one who looks like he’s been hurt before.
I pulled up the right side of my mouth into a half grin. I had to practice that look in the mirror after the numbing for a root canal causes my cheek to droop a little.
I spoke softly, a bit wistfully.
No, I’m not meeting anyone, but usually I just sit alone at events when my husband isn’t able to come with me.
Are you meeting anyone?
At the word ‘husband’ the look of his face had gone to crestfallen.
He looked away, toward the stage, and mumbled that no, he sits alone.
I sighed, picked up my lawn chair, turned towards the snack wagon.
Well, I said. The music will still be good.
I bought a bottle of water, knowing the root beer would not be enough to cool me off.
Then I went to my favorite spot near a light, set up my chair, and got my crochet hook and yarn ready.
A couple older ladies who have been there the last couple weeks seemed eager to see what my project of the evening would be.
The music was good.
Although I guess I do appreciate Jazz more in a smaller, darker, noisier setting of a nightclub.
The Concert on the Quad is calm and sedentary.
Afterward, as I was folding my chair, I noticed the fella about 30 feet away, over my shoulder. He had positioned himself so he could watch me with my hook and yarn while still seeing the stage.
He caught my eye, and gave a small half grin, then finished folding his own chair, and turned to walk toward the parking lot.
I spied a group of church folks, so I went over to show them my handwork, a blue and green potholder.
While I was walking home, about halfway there, the clouds opened and I got drenched with rain.
A summer evening I’ll long remember.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Building Up the Stash
The other day when I had an eye doctor appointment, of course I had to stop in at Mich*el’s Cr*fts because the store is across the street. I also had a 40% off coupon in my purse.
I keep telling myself to just stay away from such places, I don’t need anything at all in the way of craft supplies, but all the bins full of yarn potential keep calling.
I found a whole bunch of 4-ply cotton yarn on Clearance. I got enough for a baby blankie, and a couple to ship off to Aunt Ruth for her potholders.
I could only use the coupon on a full-price item, so I handed it to the lady in line behind me. She was buying stickers for her grand-daughter’s birthday party. It only saved her about 50¢—Shrug.
When I got my receipt, there was also a coupon good for 25% off the entire cart during certain hours on Sunday evening in the future.
On the way home from church today, I told myself to not bother with the sale, I don’t need anything at all in the way of craft supplies, but all the bins full of yarn potential keep calling.
Through much of the afternoon, I had tummy problems, and even mentioned to Husband that I shouldn’t get too far from the bathroom.
However, a couple antacid tablets and a short nap helped to get me feeling better.
I went downstairs to where Husband is writing on his computer. Whatever is coming soon from his typing fingers is sure to be a blockbuster nominee.
He grimaced and said “Oh dear, You’ve talked yourself into it. Well, have fun.” Golly, he knows me too well.
At the store, there were extra clerks on duty. I think management anticipated a crowd of bargain hunters, but we were a fairly tame bunch.
There were more bundles of the 4-ply cotton in the clearance bin, so I got a couple more. Then a ball of bedspread cotton in a color already in my closet, just in case I need to extend a project.
I traipsed up and down the aisles, carefully avoiding the potpourri and scented candle shelves. My sinuses are already at war with air-conditioned breezes.
I didn’t see anything else to pile in, so I went to get in line to checkout. The customer ahead of me, wrote a check for $230 after using the 25% off coupon. I guess I am not the only craft nut in the county.
When I paid for my goodies, I handed over a $10 then got back some coins and a single. Not too bad considering full price a couple weeks ago would have been close to $20.
Really, though, I need to just stay away from temptation.
I don’t need anything at all in the way of craft supplies.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Saw the movie MAMMA MIA!
Ever since my birthday last month, I have been anticipating the opening of the movie MAMMA MIA! starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan.
I got to watch Meryl Streep in The Prairie Home Companion on my 50th birthday a couple years ago, so I thought it might follow to see her doing another movie this summer. Not to mention, Pierce Brosnan would be in many of the same scenes.
Having anticipated for weeks after my birthday, I wanted to see it as soon as I could. This is also the opening weekend for the newest BATMAN movie, and Husband really wanted to see that one. (update) Here is his review
He went online and found a theater where each of our choices were advertised, then found showtimes as close together as possible.
MAMMA MIA! was on at 11:30am, then BATMAN began at 11:40. He would get there a little early (he brought along a book), then I would have to wait awhile after. We arranged to meet later in the lobby near the food counter, where the tables and chairs provide a good opportunity for people watching.
Which is what I did since I didn’t bring my crochet bag, but hey, we used fuel for only one car.
Anyway, the movie. Wonderful actors, great ABBA music,
but it was the scenery at its most glorious!
Sometimes when I am about to crochet a bookmark, I will ask my giftee “What’s your favorite color?” if she should say “Blue” then I ask “What Shade? light, navy, royal?” so I can narrow down the number of balls of thread I have to pull out of the drawer.
I cannot say exactly any one shade of blue is onscreen at one time during this movie. It could be turquoise, cerulean, periwinkle, azure overlapping.
Actually filmed on an island of Greece, for our viewing pleasure there is the sea and the sky, boats and nets, a tiny village, and stone steps leading upward to a lovely villa.
One must listen carefully for descriptions about the history and beauty of the island.
The songs written by members of the group ABBA, are actually sung by the actors themselves. Meryl Streep sang alot in the PHC movie, and I had heard Pierce Brosnan sings some pub tunes in the movie EVELYN, but this is ABBA I’ve known since my old vinyl lp purchases from W**LWORTH’s.
They managed to carry the tunes and get the idea across.
After the beauty of the surroundings, I was watching the people. Not just the main actors, but this was in Greece, so the folks in the background have beautiful dark curly hair and prominent noses, and confident expressions.
The dancing is amazing, especially with everybody out on the boat’s docking place.
But the ladies, the three actresses are the real inspiration.
Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters are in their mid-50s, and they are in shape enough to really get moving, and they flirt, and they look like they are having a wonderful time.
I would have liked to have seen MAMMA MIA! a month ago during the weekend of my birthday, but this was definitely worth waiting for no matter when it happened.
While I was waiting for Husband in the lobby, it was all I could do to NOT go over and make an impulse purchase of some overpriced snack. I’m saving coins of my mad money for the next couple weeks so I can buy a brand new cd (not one used in good condition plus shipping).
So this evening I popped popcorn in the stovetop popper and enjoyed a root beer in the comfort on my own couch.
I thought MAMMA MIA! was some nice entertainment.
Which is all I really expect in the middle of an easy summer.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A bit of Catching Up III
Well, Saturday evening, Husband and I had a double date with our middle son and his sweetie. I haven’t shown them the pictures yet, so I am not going to spoil their surprise by sitting a photo out here without permission.
But we did have a nice time in Urbana, what with supper in a sandwich shoppe near the U of I campus, seeing the movie HANCOCK (which was off to a slow start but had a nice finale) then ice cream while sitting outside on a patio soon after it rained.
Then on Sunday, well, there’s nothing quite like having an hour long phone conversation with my youngest sister to help a gal leap over the emotional ditch of losing a loved one. She also talked about how our friend’s son was clearing out the house and bringing over mementos.
I cain’t recall any one special item I might want, but every time I hold a can of Campbell’s split pea soup I do think of Gertrude serving it to us kids home from school for lunch.
Meanwhile, I have been dealing with pictures. Last Friday, I sent off 36 envelopes to family and friends.
It took the same amount of time to get them into the hands of my mother in eastern Ohio, my cousin in Fairbanks, Alaska, and my aunt in Tucson, Arizona. The US Postal Service is amazing.
I don’t have the fortitude to code them all in, but I will provide a few for your viewing pleasure.
One blog friend tells me that pictures make a post seem more interesting.
So here goes. I’ll write the explanation before each
my mom uses dad’s old boot as a planter for the last 19 yrs
during my whole trip to the Ohio Valley, this is the only picture of me, a reflection in the mirror of the rest room at the banquet facility
a church family friend, Patty, and my mom, Kerma
two of our sons came home for the holiday July 4
Husband set the camera on a tri-pod and we lined up by the garage
George, Lucas w/ beard, Diane in red, Christopher grinning
Husband sold the VW Beetle Bug
so Oscar had to say a fond farewell
the mug I won on the For Better or For Worse website arrived
I opened it right in front of the mailman, who says it is of good quality and nice size.
when I compared with the measuring cup, the amount of fluid is 14 ounces
Right alongside the mug is a card with the personal autograph and nice drawing done by Lynn Johnston herself.
Lastly, I’m gonna turn the message over to my cousin Brenda in Alaska, who writes
Hey Diane,
We received your seasons greetings. Thanks for the pictures. Your boys are not boys any longer. They are both good looking young men.
It was great to see the pictures of your mom.
I need to call her, I haven’t talked to her in quite a while.
Our summer season is at its best. All the flowers around town are in gorgeous, and gardens are finally producing goodies for the table.
We had our first cucumber yesterday and we have had several zucchini.
I tried a new variety this year.
It is round like a ball and about three inch across.
They are very tasty. love Brenda
I wrote back that her descriptions and pictures are really at odds with my idea about frigid Alaska. It looks like they get a comfortably nice summer.
We have come to the end of my communication session.
I gotta get back to crocheting cotton potholders.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Away I Am
The last few days, I have been up to my elbows in pictures, aka photoprints. Actual likenesses of people on special paper. My hand cramped with the writing of who and where on the back of each 4 x 6, then I stuffed some envelopes and made a trip in the rain to the post office to send them.
And if I hadn’t gotten some sad news, I might now have the energy to get pictures ready to code and post on the blog.
As it happens, a message on the phone’s answering machine, in my sister Denise’s voice, says that a dear family friend from the old neighborhood passed away.
She was 83, and had been ill, but I just cannot muster up any other interest right now. My mind is 10 years old again, with the memory of my hands are shelling peas on the front porch.
Writing is not my first place I go to when I’m feeling low, so for awhile, I won’t be ‘here’.
Last evening, I did crochet a cotton cross to tuck into a sympathy card for her grandson.
And this evening, Husband and I are going to fetch son Lucas then drag him, and hopefully his sweetie, to see the movie HANCOCK starring Will Smith.
Here’s hoping your weekend is doing fine.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Dream Hangover
For three nights in a row, I’ve had dreams about my dad. I usually remember more about him in the summertime anyway, but he’s been gone 19 years now, so dreams don’t come so often.
When I woke up this morning, the sun was already shining bright on the door of the closet. I couldn’t believe it was so late. I remember Husband getting dressed for work, and asking what day is it. That would have been about 7am. Next thing I know, the clock says twenty minutes til nine, and I didn’t believe it so I called the Time/Temperature lady and her automated voice said 8:43.
My mind is jumbled mess right now.
This doesn’t bode well for the day’s interactions.
the day outside is bright with sunshine
the bird calls are often and cheerful
I hope these are enough to send off what lingers from fitful sleep.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Hats worked on half inch pegs looms
My new round knitting looms from CinDWood Crafts arrived awhile back.
We have e-mailed back and forth a few times, which is one of the benefits of buying from the owner/worker.
I am liking alot my new things.
The half inch spaces for the pegs makes so much a nicer, tighter, warmer stitch, using a single strand of 4-ply yarn.
When Lucas was home the 4th of July, he mentioned that he didn’t know I was still in contact with so many babies.
I explained that I work most of the hats as a charity project involved with the Needlework Group.
The kid is definitely growing into his own life and interests.
This little hat has become a favorite. I brought home a little bitty ball of pretty donated yarn, thinking it would be able to make a full hat. On the plastic loom, it might have.
As I was knitting along, I realized I was gonna run out of the nice color, so I went into my own bin of little balls of yarn to find a match. There was one small rolled ball left from a baby blanket of a boy who is now in college. Don’t ask me why my brain retains such silly details, but I keep quirks about yarn.
Note how it just fits over the wide-mouth jar. The booklet says this loom makes hats which fit a baby age 1 to 4 months old.
One of my pals at the Group crocheted a nice scarf of red/white/green yarn. She asked if I could make a hat using the rest of the same skein.
As I mentioned, the closer spaced pegs make a tighter stitch, so more yarn is needed.
I worked in some white and some red for a full-size hat.
The spiral effect is purely a serendipity.
These will go to the Donation Box in our group’s storeroom.
from there, social workers send them on to the needy
Next project is potholders and bookmarks for our church rummage sale.
Well, maybe not bookmarks. After looking at my lists and pictures, I realized the reason my head seemed so cloudy with tiny stitches is because I had crocheted 39 bookmarks in 32 days.
My new knitting looms came at the right time to take a different path.
This afternoon, I drive over to help Lucas with errands.
He is not supposed to take his cat on the bus, so I offered to chauffeur a visit to the Vet for shots.
Keeping busy this summer, fer sher.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
All that for Naught
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. --Robert Heinlein
In the last few days, I’ve had reasons to travel across Main Street and going north a bit to the local Walgreen’s.
This is a distance of about 6/10ths of a mile, so I figure it’s just as easy to walk on sidewalk as it is to pace the treadmill.
The tendons in my left foot say otherwise.
During today’s walk home, I came upon the scene in the picture. click on it for a broader view
I looked behind me, nobody was coming along the sidewalk, so I took my camera out of my bag, squatted down and got a couple shots.
That poor worm must have gotten lost during the rain this morning.
The ants were ecstatic about their find.
I can just imagine the foreman barking orders.
I looked up to see a jogger on his way, so I had to stand up and move aside.
As he passed, his running shoe came down right in the middle of the area the ants were working in.
I didn’t have the heart stomach to take a picture of the devastation.
Ain’t I blessed to have time to watch ants on a worm?
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Friday, July 04, 2008
Quiet Fourth of July
The sound of firecrackers is still coming every now and then, but I do believe the celebration of our nation’s birthday is winding down.
Lucas came home yesterday, and Chris came by bicycle today. We took it easy, just the four of us.
Salmon fillets on the grill, some good garlic bread, veges, fettucini noodles.
Husband did some bicycle repairs on the patio, I worked two baby hats on my loom, the brothers pestered each other and petted cats.
I loaded the dishwasher here and pressed all the buttons.
Then it was time for Chris to go, and we drove Lucas back down the interstate.
While some more bicycle repairs happened in the parking lot of the apartment house, I washed dishes by hand in Lucas’s kitchen.
How the kid left overnight with stuff all over the counters I can’t imagine. He certainly did not get my attitude to never give bugs a reason to be around the food of people.
He was passing through at some point and said he “heartily approves” my activity.
So the bicycles are ready to ride again, yet a different one is in the car now, needing to go up on the bench.
The drive home happened just as small town fireworks were going.
Such a beautiful sight, different directions across the prairie.
Time for bed now. The end of a lovely summer day.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Not so good, first thing in the morning
My day began at 6:20 in the morning, barely passed sun-up when Mahalia decided she wanted to play. There are times when I wish son Christopher’s apartment allowed pets.
The girl cat likes him best.
She slept on his bed until he moved out, but now she won’t even go into the room. The bed is still there, it should smell like Chris because he took a nap there the other afternoon, but NO, the fur ball insists that I get out of bed at some gawdawful hour on a holiday.
Ahem. Anyway, I did get up, took my sweet time getting water for my medicine and then to fill the teapot.
By then, both cats were protesting mightily that I should get down to the task of putting the wet food into the proper bowls Hhrrumpft.
I decided to get some peace and go out to sit on the back steps whilst they munched. Soon enough, one or the other would paw the door to be let out.
What did I spy about six feet from the end of the driveway?
A squirrel’s tail set at an awkward angle, ablowin’ in the breeze.
Still in my bathrobe, I went over to investigate.
And there was the squirrel who lived in the maple tree with the back half of his little body squashed flat.
Fairly fresh, the blood hadn’t dried yet, but there was no doubt he was dead.
I knew it was the same squirrel because he had a darker brown patch on his right hip. The mailman and I had him so tame he would come up close and grab a bit of cookie from our hands.
One time, he even accosted Chris’s girlfriend as she came up the walk. I had to hurry out with a bit of bread to appease him.
I debated about what to do. I didn’t want to dig a grave, Husband sets the lawnmower to mulch, so getting down to dirt takes quite a bit of effort.
One more poor little dead squirrel in the middle of the road shouldn’t cause so much thinking.
I decided to just fetch a garbage bag and put him in the trash.
I must admit, I said a small prayer for the little guy.
I will surely miss him. And I’ll bet the mailman won’t have nearly as much entertainment next time he parks his truck in the shade of the maple tree.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Oscar in a Box
Friday, I opened the last ream of paper from the box.
Saturday while I was at S*Ms Club,
I bought a new box of printer paper, then Husband carried it into the house for me.
Oscar doesn’t want me to put the old box into the re-cycle bin just yet.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
A Prize is in the Mail
Oh Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy! ! !
A message in my Inbox has informed me that I have won the Coffee Talk mug for the month of June from the comic For Better or For Worse website’s Spill Your Beans column.
My comment was posted the morning of June 30, so I musta got in just a wee bit under the time limit.
So blessed when something I already covet comes my way.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Monday, June 30, 2008
One Song I Remember
It’s the last day of June when I think of this song
from the Summer of 1976 when I was driving back and forth
to the community college for LPN school
Summer (the First Time)
Bobby Goldsboro
It was a hot afternoon
Last day of June
And the sun was a demon
The clouds were afraid
One-ten in the shade
And the pavement was steaming
I told Billy-Ray
In his red Chevrolet
I needed time for some thinking
I was just walking by
When I looked in her eye
And I swore it was winking
She was 31 and I was 17
I knew nothing about love
She knew everything
And I sat down beside her on the front porch swing
And wondered what the coming night would bring
The sun closed her eyes
As it climbed in the sky
And it started to swelter
The sweat trickled down the front of her gown
And I thought it would melt her
She threw back her hair
Like I wasn’t there
And she sipped on a julep
Her shoulders were bare
And I tried not to stare
When I looked at her two lips.
And when she looked at me
I heard her softly say
I know you’re young
You don’t know what to do or say
But stay with me until the sun has gone away
And I will chase the boy in you away
And then she smiled and we talked for a while
And we walked for a mile to the sea
We sat on the sand, and a boy took her hand
But I saw the sun rise as a man
Ten years have gone by
Since I looked in her eye
But the memory lingers
I go back in my mind
To the very first time
And feel the touch of her fingers
It was a hot afternoon
Last day of June
And the sun was a demon
The clouds were afraid
One-ten in the shade
And the pavement was steaming…
Iffen you want to hear Bobby Goldsboro on You Tube
this song is not at all in line with current society’s way of thinking
but it sure brings back memories of myself at age 20
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Friday, June 27, 2008
Letting the downspout do its job
My new wooden knitting loom kit came this morning.
If you go to CinDWood crafts dot com you can see where I bought them from. I’m real tired of getting spam from craft sites, so I won’t link you directly.
And there is a story behind how I got the looms, so I’ll try to remember to write about it.
My Yarn Group is already in-the-know of the tale about how sweet is my husband.
Anyway, I had to be on my way to the dentist (routine cleaning, no new troubles) so I did a quick open the package and drool.
After my appointment and a couple errands on that side of town, I came home, had a sandwich for lunch, and told myself to do at least one chore before I could sit down and enjoy my new item.
The ironing was only 2 shirts, 4 boxer shorts, and a pillowcase, so get it done I did!
Then I went to my yarn box and chose a pretty color for a baby hat.
I carried my little table out to the back porch, unfolded my chair.
The cats got into their positions for snoozing.
I came back inside, made an iced latte in the blender, using a powdered mix.
Out there again, I began looping yarn and knitting off.
Oh this is fun!
I looked up every once in awhile watching dark clouds moving in.
The city-owned waterpark up the street made an announcement to clear the pool, and everyone must go inside the locker rooms. The loudspeaker must have been attached at a different spot because, from this distance, I haven’t understood the words for years.
Lightning hit pretty close, and I heard silence from the house telling me the power was off.
Oscar wanted inside. Poor kitty does not like storms at all.
As I opened the door, the power flickered, came back on.
The rain dumped heavy. Prairie gully-washer.
I peeked over at the garage gutters.
A waterfall over the side, nothing coming out the downspout at all.
The rain slacked off soon enough.
The clouds were just having a breather.
While it was quiet, I went into the garage and got the ladder.
I got it all stable near the corner of the garage and downspout, then carefully climbed the three steps needed to see over the edge of the gutter.
As soon as I pulled a stick out of the opening, water and bits of leaves and maple seeds began running out the bottom and across the driveway.
I got down and up the ladder, about four times, clearing debris from the edge of the roof of the garage.
At one point I was turning to move the ladder, and there stood a girl in a bright blue rain poncho about 3 feet away.
She hadn’t said a word, and I did not see her come up the walk.
Startled me so that I knocked my watch against the side of the metal ladder.
Her first words were “Do you want me to do that?”
Now why would I want an unpaid stranger climbing up and down a ladder next to my garage on a rainy afternoon?
My standard reply, “No, Thank You, my doctor says I need more exercise.”
I climbed up and grabbed some more gunk out of the gutter.
Turning to let go of it, I realized she was standing right where I wanted to drop the stuff.
I said “Excuse me, something else needs to go into that spot”
She moved over towards the steps.
As I let the stuff fall, I asked what she is selling.
From under her poncho she pulled an ID tag for a company, and an order form for magazines.
She began her spiel about how getting enough orders will win her a trip to the Bahamas.
I looked down at her, more compost in my hand.
I said I don’t order magazines anymore, I get news from the Internet.
She went on a bit longer with a speech that must have been hammered in by a company rep and then she practiced for an hour in front of the mirror.
As I moved the ladder once again, she began a whine.
“Aren’t you going to help me win the trip?”
Well, golly gosh, kid, I was a pre-school teacher for years, so that tone of voice ain’t gonna get me to soften up any.
Especially coming from somebody who is walking door-to-door now to be able to frolic on the beach on Spring Break.
As I climbed the ladder for what I hoped to be the last time (looking at the flow from the downspout, yeah, I was almost done), I told her she was wasting her time here.
After a very dramatic sigh, she went on her way along our very quiet during the day because there are working people who live here street.
It’s a racket, what happens to young workers.
They get plunked down in some strange town so they don’t know what else to do but their jobs.
Reminds me of Mormon Missionaries.
She did offer to do some hands-on work, but I’m getting a bit jaded in my old age, so I sent her on her way.
And now, I’m going back to my loom and yarn.
~~love and Huggs, Diane