Part of a hand.
Cat waiting with minimal patience for some of the roast chicken.
Documentary about the US government's war on gays. It's 30 minutes, very much worth it. Interview on NPR as well.
About to turn into the driveway between the houses, a large woman had her shopping cart in the narrow way, looking at the lemon balm. She finally sees me and moves. As I drive past very slowly, I open the window and tell her she can take some if she wants.
She asks in a heavy Russian accent if it will grow. I say, sure, give me a minute, I'll cut you some.
I park in the garage, take the shopping bags in, run through the house with scissors, and greet her still waiting in front. Snip her off several stems, tell her they should root nicely. She's very grateful.
"How much money?"
I shrug and shake my head no.
More thanks. I actually have shivers. I tell her to come back for more if they don't take, and rush inside.
Never can tell how people will be, especially in the face of generosity.
6 comments:
damn googles! posted a comment, it came up thrice, then tried to delete two, and all ended up going under the knife. let's try this again:
some people aren't used to kindness.
i'm under the impression that one ought not say thank you for plants, at least in the south it's seen as a no-no. i came across that several times, not least of all in barbara kingsolver's wonderful "animal, vegetable, miracle."
(O)
pc,
No sweat, I tidied up.
I've never heard that, but it feels right. I think, "Oh, very kind of you," would cover politeness. Or the promise to root it or plant it well. But to thank, or offer to pay, yeah, that seems... like bad luck? I'll have to find that book.
No matter this woman's reaction, at the very least you added a few drops into the karma bucket.
I grew up being told to never say thank you for plants given to me, because - according to local folklore (generally in the US south) - they will die. Told to say either I am pleased to have them, or I will pass their children along, such like that.
Must be where the admonition not to say thank you for sour dough starter, for fear of killing it.
Especially taken with the second photo of Moby and the eloquent shot of your hand.
Phil,
Just being a good neighbor, nothing of note. That I got shivers from it was the point of the story for me.
Crow,
I'm certain I was never told this, but it feels exactly right.
Moby at his Mobiest.
Post a Comment