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.
Dads...
ReplyDeleteYup!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he has a kind heart underneath the bluster...!
ReplyDeleteOf course he has!
Deletemethinks he belongs to an era long gone. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, when I visited Canada, there were many First Nation signs if you looked carefully.
DeleteI love your last line; it made me grin!
ReplyDeleteWe aim to please!
DeleteI liked the old sod toppling the cairns
ReplyDeleteSo did I - my father was a dab hand with his own cane.
DeleteI relate to that crankiness, I feel I am heading down that path :-) But he does have valid points to make.
ReplyDeleteHe does, and I'm glad you noticed. Thanks.
DeleteYou know... my eldest tells me he can't wait to be an old man 'coz he's gonna be a grumpy old one!
ReplyDeleteIs he grumpy already, Dale?
DeleteNot yet. But he is pretty enthusiastic about the possibility! He's all of 20.
DeleteIt won't take him long, then. My sons are 47 and 40 and they've both achieved grump status already!
DeleteQuite a curmudgeon! Careful you don't 'accidentally' tip him in the water!
ReplyDeleteThere's a thought, Keith, especially as I've got one like him at home!
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteYou've captured the grumpy old man. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
The promised coffee would have done wonders to his mood.
ReplyDeletehttps://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2018/03/the-villa.html
Unless it was cold!
DeleteOooo..he's an ornery old feller!
ReplyDeleteHe is, but I like him!
ReplyDeleteActually I feel that I partly agree with him... maybe I'm getting old.
ReplyDeletePerish the thought, Bjorn. Never old!
ReplyDeleteGrumpy old men. Lucky women never get like that.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? I have just been watching the Australian Prime Minister talking about sexism :)
DeleteHe sounds a wee bit like my father in his last days, and I say kudos! to those that live long and speak their mind.
ReplyDeleteQuite right - my father was the same.
Delete