Pages

9.3.18

GARDEN VISIT WITH DAD


GARDEN VISIT WITH DAD

Jed Fisheagle’s expression was stony as Patty wheeled him round the gardens.
“I had hoped you’d appreciate the nature and fresh air, Dad.”
“Air’s alright – I can smell the pines from here – but nature? Huh! Those ain’t trees, all chopped about like that.”
“They’re pollarded, Dad.”
“Whatever, they ain’t natural. And water should be free, not walled in a pond full of fish a man can’t eat. Where’s that coffee you promised?”
As Patty turned his wheelchair towards the house, Jed swung his stick, toppling several stacks of stones. “Even their signposts are wrong – this ain’t the way to the reservation.”
.............................................................................
Another picture prompt from Friday Fictioneers - thanks to https://rochellewisoff.com/
and to Sandra Crook who took the photo. I like trees to be natural - trimmed is okay, but never pollarded to within an inch of their lives - to this story couldn't be written any other way. 


29 comments:

  1. I'm sure he has a kind heart underneath the bluster...!

    ReplyDelete
  2. methinks he belongs to an era long gone. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And yet, when I visited Canada, there were many First Nation signs if you looked carefully.

      Delete
  3. I love your last line; it made me grin!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I liked the old sod toppling the cairns

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So did I - my father was a dab hand with his own cane.

      Delete
  5. I relate to that crankiness, I feel I am heading down that path :-) But he does have valid points to make.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He does, and I'm glad you noticed. Thanks.

      Delete
  6. You know... my eldest tells me he can't wait to be an old man 'coz he's gonna be a grumpy old one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is he grumpy already, Dale?

      Delete
    2. Not yet. But he is pretty enthusiastic about the possibility! He's all of 20.

      Delete
    3. It won't take him long, then. My sons are 47 and 40 and they've both achieved grump status already!

      Delete
  7. Quite a curmudgeon! Careful you don't 'accidentally' tip him in the water!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a thought, Keith, especially as I've got one like him at home!

      Delete
  8. Dear Liz,

    You've captured the grumpy old man. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    ReplyDelete
  9. The promised coffee would have done wonders to his mood.

    https://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2018/03/the-villa.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oooo..he's an ornery old feller!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Actually I feel that I partly agree with him... maybe I'm getting old.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Perish the thought, Bjorn. Never old!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Grumpy old men. Lucky women never get like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it? I have just been watching the Australian Prime Minister talking about sexism :)

      Delete
  14. He sounds a wee bit like my father in his last days, and I say kudos! to those that live long and speak their mind.

    ReplyDelete

Do leave a message before you go!