I'll have you know that it's precisely 9:00 p.m. on Saturday night and I had no intention of writing a post for Sunday but then I decided to quickly write a really short post so I just hope you aren't expecting anything great because you're not going to get it. What you will get is run on sentence.
Before we get to David, a brief synopsis of how the rest of my week has gone. Fine. My week has been fine. Actually, our city got shoved into the next highest COVID category which wasn't very fine.
I'm no authority but I would make a bet that we're shut down completely again within the length of time it takes to move your clothing from the washer into the dryer - which translates to approximately 2 weeks for me which is why sometimes I smell musty.
That means ZOOM Christmas. In other Christmas news, I went to Dollarama today and managed to leave without buying any tacky-yet-comforting cheap Christmas chachkas. I left only with a salt shaker, the only 3 packages of fire starters left in the city and cheesecloth. And yes, I do make my own fire starters, but I like to have some of these on hand.
Now what were we talking about? That's right, David.
When last we met, I had made my new friend David. If you haven't met David yet, you'd better go read this post first. As you know, I had big plans to give him a few logs to chop. I rethought those plans. The truth is I'm out of kindling and have been so busy that I haven't had time to chop any. I thought if my new friend hinted that he needed something to do I'd have him chop kindling because - I really do need it and really don't have time to do it.
So I watched out the window. I'd check out the front door. I wasn't obsessive about it but I did do it every 7.5 minutes for 168 hours. No dice. My new friend had disappeared into the wind - or maybe into one of the many superhero sized piles of leaves I haven't raked up.
Then this morning as I was walking to my car to get groceries (one of the few things we're still able to do) up walks David.
We met in the exact same spot we encountered each other before and had a talk again. David is the perfect conversation companion. We are interested in the same things, we hold similar opinions, and he doesn't stand and talk for hours.
The conversation headed towards wood immediately because it is the fibre that bonds us. He asked if I'd been having fires and I said, Yes, I had actually, now that the temperature has dropped. Here we go. My opportunity I thought.
You know, I haven't had any kindling though, I haven't had any time to chop any. David, as it turns out, had just chopped kindling the day before. All kinds of it from dry scaffolding wood. David did not offer to chop any kindling for me, lol.
Which I saw as a good sign. I don't think David needs to be needed. Or pretend needed. I think David's life is probably pretty full and happy. It's now my opinion that David is just generous. Nice.
After we had exhausted kindling we started talking about fire starters and chimney cleanings. He mentioned he had just picked up a few fire starters at the local hardware store. I told him, I get mine at Dollarama, that I really like them and they're safe for chimneys. David has tried the chimney cleaning logs you can buy and deems them crap. So do I. I told him that I get my chimney cleaned once a year and maybe I should up it to two.
He thought No, once should definitely be enough. I agreed, I thought so too, the only reason I thought I should up it to two cleanings is that I had a terrifying chimney fire one year.
Oh! Me too! said David At 10 o'clock on a Sunday night.
Really? I blinked. That's weird. Me too. My chimney fire was at 10 o'clock on a Sunday night.
David didn't seem to think that was as cosmically charged as I did.
And then he asked, How's your mom?
Ohhhhh David. Betty is fine, lol.
She should come for coffee.
But Coronavirus, she can't! And you aren't supposed to even let anyone else in your house right now.
We'll sit outside.
When he saw this probably wasn't going to happen today we moved onto discussing Trump, the Red Lobster and shopping locally.
After 10 minutes or so we were both done and went our ways. Before leaving, David told me he liked talking to me, that it was a nice break. I told him I liked it too and then I got invited for coffee. Suck on that Betty.
The rest of the today consisted of digging up my dahlia tubers, getting a few groceries, possibly killing my sourdough starter by accident, going to the garden to pick lettuce and as I said, going to Dollarama.
Add in cleaning up the kitchen, washing pots from what I think is probably the entire week and making a coffee and we land here. Now 10 o'clock at night.
I forgot to mention. After running around all day, ruining my sourdough starter and lugging in the groceries something caught my eye on my front porch. It was a box.
David had left me a box of kindling.
I emptied the box, left it on the porch and placed 2 of my fire starter packets in it.
You have yourselves a good remainder of your weekend. Please excuse any grammatical or spelling errors, but I did warn you this wasn't going to be a very good post.
What I did this Week
Just some of the stuff.
How to Divide & Store Dahlia Tubers.
I got them dug up (in the dark) but I still have to wash and split them which I'll do tomorrow.
Heirloom Tomato Soup.
I know. Weird. I have all kinds of tomatoes that have ripened from green to red in my mudroom (these tomatoes are good, but typically don't have as much flavour.) So instead of turning them into sauce I think I'm going to make Heirloom Tomato Soup with them. Is that weird at this time of year?
The Best Christmas Gift Guide with Ideas for Everyone on Your List!
In case you missed it, I released my Christmas Gift Guide on Monday!
Robyn
I have been wondering about him. Thanks for this post! I hope he gets to meet Betty.
Markus
Continued adoration for you and inspired to live long past 92 ! (chance to meet a gal like you)
Your are truly beautiful inside and out.
Karen
Thanks Markus! ~ karen
Michele
Karen,
I just love hearing about David. Nice, simple and neighborly!
Michelle
I believe this is one of your best posts ever!
Lynn
I love David. I love this post. I love your blog. You just made 2020 so much better and brighter!
Garth Wunsch
I would mail you some dehydrated starter>>>
Karen
It's OK.but thanks! I have a couple of starters going, but this one was actually a dehydrated one I bought from Kensington Market Sourdough. I found a bit in a bowl on the counter and got it to come to life! :) Sourdough is currently formed and fermenting overnight in the fridge. ~ karen!
Lauren from Winnipeg
Sorry to hear about your town’s COVID status. Manitoba had been doing such a good job and so few cases in Winnipeg. Now that’s in the crapper and we are basically in lockdown. Then, because the world is filled with so many, ahem, different thinking people, in a town about 50 miles away from Winnipeg there was a “Hugs over Masks” car rally. Yes! How dare they be made to wear masks! And get vaccines?!! What about our freedoms??
200 anti-mask, anti-vaccine, anti-science, anti-intelligence protesters. Yup, because as one said he has the same chance as getting into a car accident. Makes complete sense 🤦🏼
Karen
They must have organized. There was a rally by them in my city this weekend as well. It's a lack of real education on the subject combined with an abundance of fake education from Facebook. ~ karen!
Robbie
Sweet ending.. I think David may have a little crush on you, and is hoping Betty is just like u!
Nanette
So I'm new here (well within the last week- enough to read your David story, a few chicken posts and your Christmas list).... you crack me up.
Did you seriously tell your mom to suck it? LOL!!!!!
I'm looking forward to hanging here more often. I already told my cousin about you.
Karen
Hi Nanette! Well I indirectly told her because I said it in my head in real life, then typed out the words on my post, which my mother, Betty reads. :) ~ karen!
Lez
Ok, after reading every single comment, I realise I was the ONLY one who thought your axe was called David!!! (With your warped sense of humour & all Karen!)
No idea how I missed the previous post as I've read every single one for 10 years now!
Fantastic story!
So then as I'm reading through the comments & crying over the lady in the grocery store's story, & realising yet again, the great impact this "Obscure little fokker"( as we call the virus in South Africa) is having on everyones' life, throughout the world.
Then I come across Travis's comment! Literally laughed out loud! Probably the ONLY male to comment in the whole thread, & as we're all crying into our respective coffee, he comments on your dirty axe head!!!!
Right there & then, is a perfect example of how men & women will never, ever, be on the same emotional level as us gals! :)
Heidi
OK I’m just saying it would be sad if David and Betty never Met you can’t keep them to yourself. Because really you’re not a selfish person.
❣️
Gael James
I love your writing.
Karen
Thanks Gael I appreciate that! This type of writing is my favourite but I don't get a lot of time to do it. :) ~ karen!
TucsonPatty
Karen, I think (as does every one else reading that tale) that David is, and most certainly has been all his entire long life, a true gentleman, and a kind and generous person.
He sounds like a person any of us would enjoy visiting with, and I hope he continues to drop into your life now and again.
I loved catching up with David once more. He impressed me greatly with his listening skills: he heard your need and answered it immediately.
What a joy. Betty doesn’t need him - you do! And so do all of your readers. :)
P.S. It actually does sound like the beginning of a feel-good holiday movie idea.
Vikki
With so much that is negative nowadays, how nice to meet David. Fix him up with Betty--at his age, he truly is interested in only conversation. Older people get lonely--especially now. As I said before, he is my Hero.
Teddee Grace
David sounds absolutely perfect. I think you have found a true friend. I love the fact that he picked up on the kindling without giving you an inkling.
Julia
Perfect post for a Sunday evening read in front of the fire!!
Karen
An evening read! Are you in Australia? China? Singapore? New Zealand? ~ karen!
Julia (@mumo3kids)
In the UK! It gets dark here pretty early...
P
Karen, another vote for a Hallmark movie script about David (plus kindling, sourdough woes & parents). Am often with my 89 yr old Dad who has a love/hate relationship w Hallmark “2 Minute” movies. He often points out to me that the modern Hallmark offerings involve a set script in which the female lead runs away from her love interest and then there is a reconciliation kiss approximately “2 Minutes” prior to the ending. Your script however would have much more interesting plot twists and ironic turns. Thank you for enhancing an otherwise uncertain current world for us Karen.
Karen
Your dad has hit the nail on the head with the Hallmark movie. If you pay attention (even in the absolute slightest) you will notice that for whatever reason they meet, generally don't get along initially, start to get along remarkably well for two people who have only known each other 3 days, have a misunderstanding about 20 minutes before the end of the movie, reconcile 5 minutes before the end and then yes, kiss, 2 minutes before the end. I'm not sure why I don't write a movie actually, lol. ~ karen!
Barb
Hallmark movies are perfect for pseudo-watching whilst knitting a complicated Aran pattern. One gets the gist of the sappy plot and can pay more serious attention at the end whilst stretching the kinks out of ones hands.
Karen
You're right. It's knitting television. (the kind of knitting where you have to count and pay attention) ~ karen!
Cait Pomeroy
AND in a Hallmark script, it begins to snow and the female lead has on something red...usually a coat but sometimes scarf...but always red!
Karen
TRUE! ~ karen
m'liss
Always a workaholic young woman & a sensitive guy trying to hold on to his grandpas' failing Christmas tree farm or old-fashioned ski lodge.
Karen
That's a little closed minded of you. Sometimes they're trying to hold onto bakeries too. ~ karen!
Margot Hayes
After retiring, I discovered I needed dental implants (long story involving the wrong prescription at a very young age). I volunteered annually at our local Coop and they always asked me to come work for them so I figured, "Why not?". A year of mainly full-time cashier work would pay for the implants and I happen to like the staff and the members...especially if I can keep a cash counter between us. Almost immediately I met a lovely couple who, weekly, came to buy all the stale baked goods, close to sell by date Peanut butter/other fats. They were elderly (eighties) and lived "out a ways" in the country and they LOVED animals. The food all went to keep the local populace fattened for the winter, for spring litters, for summer hunters...You get the idea. One day he came in alone, looking shell-shocked. When I asked what was wrong he said, "She's dead. I found her dead this morning." After hugging him and getting him to sit on the bench at the front of the store, he told me he didn't know where else to go. He hadn't wanted to tell his son because he was at work and might not drive safely. We convinced him to let us call his son and he went out with his load of stale bread and dated produce, etc. After I decided to retire again, having had many holes drilled in my head and having been fitted with nifty metal pillars (they look a lot like trailer hitches!) that my teeth snap on to, I would run into him at least once a week. I admit to timing my coop visits so that I could see him. We would hug and he would tell me about his latest project, a female bobcat that was looking thin. His order now included meat close to its sell by date. One day he told me he was hand feeding her and that she had brought her kits to meet him. One day he told me it was time for him to go be with his wife. One day, the next week, he wasn't there anymore. Clare was his name and he was the nicest man I ever met.
elida zamarron
Hi Margot, am curious if you had any pain from the metal pillars in your mouth? Am thinking I may have this done. Thanks.
Margot Hayes
Once they healed, no. I am a coward so I did not enjoy the process. If I were to do it again I would want gas before the freezing. Also, mine was quite awhile ago and I am sure procedures have improved greatly. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Janice Hebert
You made me cry...sweet story.
Karen
OH my God. What an incredible experience. ~ karen!
J
You are sweet, kind, thoughtful, reflective, generous, and beautiful inside and out. Thank you for sharing.
Beverly
Oh my . My eyes are filled with tears. What a story......
Bruce Cisco
Sweet story... thank you for sharing!
Nancy
I'm so glad to hear the happy update on David. Thanks for sharing your stories with us. With the upcoming US Thanksgiving cancelled (elderly parents don't want to risk visiting with the adult grandchildren). And with all the crazy US election nonsense still going full force where I live, the kindness of two strangers is really heartwarming. Give David our love.
Jan in Waterdown
Sorry Karen, you’re wrong this time.
It was a good post. A VERY good post.
Jan in MA
Agree with Jan! Very good post. Can't wait for updates, lol.
Petra
Gets my vote too!
getsmy vote