Saturday, June 21, 2014

Midsommersdag and a Bargain

Here's to the Summer Solstice!
(or Midsommersdag in Scandinavian Minnesota)


 
To start the day, strawberries, picked with the dew still on them.
 
 
Right into the bowl with a little cream, a lovely view, and a nice cup of tea.
 
And now the bargain.  I was out for a bike ride and passed a little home having an estate sale.  The grown daughters and granddaughters were selling the contents and moving their dad into an assisted living apartment. 

Dad was in the garage, looking sad and wanting to visit.  I picked out a breakfast tea tin from England because the tin looked old, and as soon as I picked it up, the man began to tell me stories of their travels.  He was a former watch repairman and he asked me to wait while he went and found something to show me.  He came back with a 4 inch tall Eiffel Tower clock.  I listened to his stories for quite awhile and then went on my way with the clock and the tea tin for $1.50.  

Oh, yes, the bargain.  When I got home I found that the tin was still sealed and filled with the original tea, which is still really quite good.   But the best part of the bargain was the trade of a few good stories--his-- for the pleasure--both mine and his-- of someone to listen to them, a sweet bargain for both of us.

It's hot, the sun's out, I'm off to a cheese festival.
 
How do you celebrate the longest day?
 

12 comments:

  1. Loneliness seems to be one of the hardest issues for elder seniors, so we all have to remember to do as you did, and stop to visit and listen.

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  2. What a nice story.
    Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm cheese!

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  3. Your tea cup and saucer is very pretty. Wish I could grow strawberries.Those look delicious! Maybe I will try again. Such a sweet story.

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  4. Cynthia, it.s so sad we grow old and we must change our life going to assisted living. In my country is not very popular going to the nursing home. It's popular but only children or relatives.
    It's nice you have bought great items. I spend my longest day in the garden. At my place strawberries are ripe too and so delicious.

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  5. It was good you stopped and listened. You both benefited from that.
    The shortest day for us yesterday.

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  6. Not a lot beats strawberries straight from the plant!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  7. Kind of you to listen so many don't take the time:)

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  8. Oh how lovely Cynthia, we always try and make time for the oldies as I always think to myself I could be the only person they have spoken to that day, besides some are so full of interesting stuff x

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  9. Some of my new friends are 10 - 15 years older than me and have some wonderful tales to tell. I could sit and talk for hours with them, and have done once or twice. They supply the tea, I take cake, works beautifully.

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  10. Hello Cynthia
    How do I celebrate the longest day - I'll let you know in 6 months time lol
    Nice looking breakfast and oh so nice of you to sit and give 'Dad' the time for him to be recognised.
    Take care
    Cathy

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  11. Nice of you to take time to listen to the old man. Here it is the shortest day. But we still have light from 6 to 6. I spent some of the day in the garden, going for a walk in the park, and watching the world cup on TV.

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  12. Sounds perfect, and yes, stories are the best you can get!

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