The holiday now seems like no more than a distant memory. I have returned to so many things that need doing. My daughter in law made a marvellous job of looking after my plot when I was away. The one thing she was so unsure about was harvesting the now very fruitful space. She was able to cut lettuce and salad leaves and pick peas, but that was it. My onions were all ready to bend over and prepare for lifting and drying. My potatoes were all ready for cropping and a marvellous crop it has turned out to be this year.
She and my son have been off on holiday and this has meant my keeping tabs on his mail for his legal business, a task that took a few hours out of each day. So one thing and another and I have as yet not managed to have a day at the paint since my return. I hope to put that to rights as soon as he returns home which will be this evening.
I have had a few occasions that have required trips to the bank over the past week. On one day in front of my in the line of people waiting to be served was a family from USA. They were hoping to change US$ into GB£. The exchange rate, as you all are aware I am sure, is not at all good for such an exchange. So he was letting me know loud and clear that this was the case. Telling me and everybody else in the bank that my lovely country was a costly place to visit.
This reminded me of the tale I was told very recently that just has to bring a smile to your face.
There was an Asian lady in the bank
trying to exchange yen for dollars.
It was obvious she was a little irritated ... . She asked the
teller, "Why it change? Yesterday, I get two hunat dolla fo yen.
Today I only get hunat eighty? Why it change?"
The teller shrugged his shoulders and said, "Fluctuations."
Taken aback for only a second,
The Asian lady says, "Fluc you white people too"
My apologies for that but it really did make me laugh out loud.
One last bit of news. Those who follow my blogs know that I am not a competitive sort of person!!!!! So it is with some humility that I share with you that I have just been told I have won the trophy for the best garden plot for 2011. All my work has not only given me wonderful produce but also I feel pleased and honored to have won this award.
The pic is of my first cooking of my first crop of beetroot, and that little lot is not even noticed missing in the plot.
Glad to see you back and happy your garden is doing well, Ralph! I assume that you gave your trophy to your daughter-in-law? Otherwise you would have returned to a patch of weeds! Next year, I keep saying next year I will have a good garden! We haven't had much sun this year.
ReplyDeleteSounds like your plot has harvested lots of great things! When you put all your heart and energy into something, it shows. Congrats and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I could tell by the way you talked about working on your plot these past months that it must be the prettiest, most bountiful plot in all of Scotland!
ReplyDelete(fluctuations, that's so funny! I laughed out loud when I read that!)
Hi Ralph..glad you are back! I was reminded, while reading your post, about my trip to Scotland during the 80's. I was with a bunch of golfers and I was shocked how LOUD they seemed! I swear, I don't think most Americans have to YELL everything they think in their heads...but then again, maybe they do! LOL. Sorry! Congratulations on your award. I have a feeling most everything you do is to the best of your ability. That's Ralph!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your garden trophy!! I love your story, too! Always good to start the day with a laugh!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your plot win, Ralph! I am sure you predecessor to that plot is right proud as well. Love the 'fluctuations' story. So sorry that you dealt first hand with a rude American. Hopefully we're not all painted with the same brush! (Hah! I just realized what I said to an artist! LOLOL)
ReplyDeleteI love friendly competition where you try your hardest and congratulate (truly congratulate) your bester! To me the point is the game, the garden full of produce etc., not the prize. If you need the prize you will never ever be happy. And with all the digging you did even as far as digging a friend's plot too, you deserve the award! Hope those beets taste wonderful to you. I hate them! I'd sure love a homegrown tomato though.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your story. I have seen too many rude Americans. Yes, others can be rude too but they seem to have more manners about it.