I haven't written any Friday Letters for a long time, but today I've taken my virtual fountain pen in to wonder about something, apologize, and offer a few thank yous. Let's open the mail ...
Dear Neighbor,
I've passed this thing daily on my walk and always assumed it was a doghouse. This week I got curious and took a closer look. When I walked around it, I saw that it was completely enclosed without a door for the dog I had imagined. I also noticed the holiday greenery, Christmas lights, and extension cord running through the grass towards your house. What is this thing? Did you completely enclose some sort of grill base with wood to make a festive holiday thing? The wheels would make it easier to move, but this thing hasn't moved in four months. I appreciate that you took the time to shingle the roof, but why? I have questions, and someday I might just knock on your door and ask them.
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Dear Borough Office,
I will no longer make fun of your sad planters with plastic flowers in them. I've looked for pansies at three different places this week and haven't been able to find them anywhere. Everyone has told me that it's too early. I disagree, but I do appreciate your efforts to liven things up with flowers, even if they are silly plastic ones.
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Dear Mom,
Thank you for the cable needle. When I reached the yoke of my sweater it was time for some cabling. I'm not quite adept enough to attempt cables without a needle and I couldn't find one in my knitting bag. Then I remembered there might be one in the stash of your knitting things. I only remember one project that you knit, but you had a few accessories that I've kept. I checked and you did have my favorite kind of cable needle! It was a lovely surprise and I 've been thinking about you each time I use it.
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Thanks for the laugh! When you told me you were going out to the barn to fix the wench on the four-wheeler, I just raised my eyebrows and said that I hoped all of our wenches were in good working order. When you came back in, I asked you how she was doing. You looked at me quizzically and said that you fixed the wench, but it wasn't a "she". I had to explain that a single vowel can make a big difference, and was even more surprised that you really didn't know the difference between winch and wench. I'm glad the winch works, but I do still wish we had a serving wench.
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Hahahaha - I love the Wench/Winch piece and I wish I had a serving wench around here. You should come over here Bonny - there are plenty of pansies to be found. Fletch bought some a week or two ago and the Acme has loads of them. I hope you find out what that faux dog house is...I'm curious. I, too, have some of my Mom's knitting things and it makes me happy every time I use something she used.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your letters, Bonny, and this batch is no exception. Whenever Tom needs to use our winch (it's up north, where we seem to have Much Need of it), he makes many, many jokes about his "wench" (he has an equally non-entertaining series about his "hoe") (sigh. . .). Wait till I show him your cartoon! :-) And speaking of up north, one of our cabin neighbors has a similar weird little mini-shed (also shingled and without a door -- but not decorated for the holidays) (also there are no wheels). It is apparently a smoke shed? They never use it, but there it sits. . . I don't think it's too early for pansies (although it is very cold and snowing here this morning; no fooling), but I haven't seen them for sale yet, either, so what do I know?
ReplyDeleteOh my! I am laughing so hard at the wench/winch... And who knew there would even be a cartoon for it! Hahahahahah!
ReplyDeleteI am loving your mom's cable needle. That is pure brilliance... and I might need to look for that model myself! But best of all is that you are knitting with your mom... and that just makes my heart sing! (I sew with my Nana... I use a pin cushion that she helped me make some 55 years ago.)
Our neighbors have a varied collection of nonsense in their yard/driveway. Hmmm, A Letter might be in order! LOL
I just snort-laughed at the wench/winch joke!
ReplyDeleteI would like to write some letters to our neighbors who (at least when I was last walking through the neighborhood) still had Christmas decorations up. I understand that in a pandemic and in the dark days of winter, it's nice to keep some twinkly lights up, but it's almost Easter!
I always love your Friday letters, Bonny. These are priceless. I'm with you, what the heck is that thing? If it is a smoke shed as Kym suggests, how do you use it and why would you? Plastic flowers are something that I wish had never been invented, truly. I have a cable needle just like that, and it is my favorite as well. And the wench joke is just priceless! I love the cartoon, but more than that, I love that you were able to prank your husband. That's always fun!
ReplyDeleteThis would make a great mystery story: The Secrets of the Little House.
ReplyDeleteMy guess was it was where they stored their trash bins but now I'm not sure.
That would be a good guess but our trash bins are at least twice as tall as the Little House. I'll find out someday and let you know!
Deleteha ha ha! love that :) I have all of my mom's stuff and am grateful when I need something I have it!!
ReplyDeleteI have all of my grandmother's knitting and sewing notions and I love when I find something I can use!
ReplyDeleteI laughed out loud at the winch/wench cartoon...that's a good one.
I'm curious about the little mystery house, I think you have to ask!
It's lovely to find that things you've saved for the memories are also practical! I was surprised when I googled winch/wench and that cartoon was the first thing that showed up. It was too good not to share. Someday I'll solve the mystery of the Little House and let you know.
DeleteDo you have wells in your neighborhood? Could it be well cover, maybe.
ReplyDeleteAnother good guess, but this house is on public water. I'll find out someday!
Delete:-) here's to winches, wenches, and cable needles when we need them. (also, that's my favorite kind of cable needle, too - and it's the only one I'll use if I can't "cable without a needle")
ReplyDeleteIt's not too early for pansies! In fact, I plan on getting some today as our local nursery is having a special on them to celebrate opening for the season. Love your letters and I really want answers on that enclosed box thing with wheels.
ReplyDeleteI love all of this - and cheers to John and his wench! :-)
ReplyDeleteI see several pots of pansies on my neighborhood walk. I hope you find some. What a sweet letter to your Mom. In fact I enjoyed them all. Bonny, you have a wonderful sense of humor and wit that goes nicely with your generous heart.
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