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| Maxfield Parrish |
making snow angels in piles of glittering doubloons,
drinking in the season's exuberant energy
like tankards of rum.
Under fair skies and a morning breeze,
unfurl the yards of linen
and sail for the promise of Summer that lies
just over the horizon.
~
Yo Yo Ma, playing his famous Bach piece, next to a brook in a forest. Accompanied only by the sound of water, such evident joy.
~
On a Fine Spring Day, Four Strangers Meet at a Walgreens
After spending a few hours on yard work, I showered and went to Walgreens to pick up a couple of items. Business was slow, being 3 o'clock in the afternoon. I found my items and was heading towards the cashier at the same time as a young woman. I motioned for her to go ahead of me. She was tall, very light brown with a big curl 'fro. Big smile. Behind the counter was a petite middle-aged white lady with a distinct Southern regional accent. As she was being rung up, the young woman remembered an item she had failed to grab and dashed back into the aisles for it. Upon return the clerk, being well-trained, did a bit of suggestive selling indicating that the young woman had accumulated points giving her a deal on one of her snacks. Get another for just pennies. So, the young woman dashed back once again and as she returned, murmured to me an apology. I replied no worries-how can one be in a hurry on such a fine Spring day! Both of the women chirped back in unison right?!! and were smiling.
The transaction was nearly completed when a very uber-fit, older woman came in. She was dressed in looked like a walking outfit: lightweight top and shorts, snazzy ball cap and sunglasses. Evidently, she had already been in Walgreens as she had a bandage on her upper bare arm that had a large W on it. I figured she had come in for a vaccination. Now, being her age (older than myself, I thought,) she made a bee-line to me to request help from a male: she was having some issue with her car and needed help. Could I come out once finished and take a look? she asked, then launched into this explanation: I don't want to call my children for I would absolutely never hear the end of it! For some reason, I was immediately transported in my head to some Downton Abbey era show where Lady Wedgeworth, 12th Baroness of blah blah blah reveals herself to an elderly male commoner. Those infernal machines! My infernal family! I replied: I am more than happy to help and I assure you, I do not know your family and if I did, I promise never to say a word. I shall be out shortly. She smiled and went out with the young woman following a few steps behind. As she was ringing me up, the Southern Lady said: I am not quite sure what is going on with her car to which I replied: neither do I but it shall be interesting and I hope I can help.
When I walked out, I saw that the young woman was leaning over a vehicle where the older woman is sitting in the driver's seat. The problem was immediately recognizable: something has triggered the car alarm with that annoying, steady beep beep beep. I see that it is a Lexus convertible...yep, it is Lady Wedgeworth! While the old lady was vocally trouble-shooting, the young woman saw me and leaned over saying: I think it's something with her key fob. I grinned as it's obvious that neither of us had a clue but remain to give some sort of moral support. Suddenly, the car shuts up and three enthusiastic huzzahs are shouted. I turned to leave and the young woman says have a blessed day. Ahh, I thought to myself-here's a believer who lives their faith. Without it turning into a proselytizing opportunity. I appreciate folk like this. The beeping suddenly started up again and I turn back. The old woman rummaged through her purse and exclaimed, it's my other fob! The beeping stopped again accompanied by 3 more huzzahs. She thanked us both and wished us well and we returned the sentiment.
As the young woman and I walked towards our cars with our trajectory angle widening with every step, she asked me about my t-shirt.
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