Food City in Cottonwood, Arizona has panela cheese, block-cut monterey jack and beef heart. Most of its patrons are Spanish speakers and the conversations in the aisles and the mothers' directives to the children are in that language. There's a calmer "vibe" to the place compared to Fry's, another grocery chain where mostly English is spoken; people shop instead of grab-and-go.
Returning with my purchases of all of the above, I noticed an anomoly on Phoebe's window sill; it looked like money.
Sure enough! Two five-dollar bills tucked in. Their multiple crinkles across the short side suggests they may have come from a change purse rather than a billfold.
Kindness and largesse elicit deep feelings of gratitude in me. I'm reminded of those summer days decades ago, when, out in the middle of Kansas on I-70, a car would pull alongside, I was driving my 1950 Buick hearse, and someone, with a smile, would hand out a lit joint.
Do you believe it's someone who recognized Phoebe, saw you and thought 'needy' or just someone spreading joy? As I've gotten older people seem to be holding doors and offering to lift things for me, which I find somewhat offensive. It's not out of respect it's just that they think 'old person.' The people working the intersections for cash and thank with 'God Bless' are young. I might break into their syndicate (it's very organized) and see if there's a senior up-give. I did not leave Phoebe any cash but will watch for her.
ReplyDeleteArt...apparently blogspot wishes me anonymous
Art,
ReplyDeleteI'm really not sure. I think I "present," as the psychologists say, as a gentleman farmer. The overalls are of an unusual color and lend "distinction," but here in Cottonwood, where they get all KINDS of people, it's hard to say.
There are so many folks living in vehicles now I suspect someone, what with the cargo boxes on top and all the dust, thought me needy. But there are so MANY needy I feel they must've seen me and somehow been inspired.
This IS, or was, a cowtown and the hat has not been fully replaced by the cap. Straw is popular but the Meow Wolf logo, to borrow a phrase from Joel Chandler Harris, "Fotches 'em up on their behimes."
I DO have trouble walking after sitting so sometimes I hobble away from the car...actually in pain. Someone might have felt pity.
As for being treated as old, I've noticed the women no longer look, but I attribute that to my size more than age. I've always had an energy that elicited civility. I've accepted it appreciatively and returned it as occassion arises...in traffic and at the entrance to the Circle K. I've yet to notice any kind of deferential treatment, but I've been thinking of getting a walker to see if it could be useful for pan-handling. đŸ¥¸
How's your posture? Your gait?
Glad you identified yourself; there're one or two other anonymousi out there.
I just sent you the anonymous question about Soda Lime. It seems from a post above that you prefer that people not be antonymous. I get that, but I tried to respond otherwise and they want people to sign up for this blog and I don't want to blog. I just wanted to ask a question. I included my email above, though, so that should make me unanonymous kind of.... don't ya think? Anyway, I do hope I'll hear from you. Thank you! Jess
ReplyDeleteJess,
DeleteI'm only interested in distinguishing one Anonymous from another. I didn't know Blogger wants people to "Sign Up" in order to comment; that seems like too much to ask.
Thanks for giving a name. And for stopping by.
Love your car!!!! Jess
ReplyDeleteShe was a beaut! Purple velvet interior with lots of room. When we pulled out of Morning Star Commune outside Taos (in 1968), we had 14 people and a dog.
Delete