After yesterday’s drama I am delighted to report nothing untoward has so far occurred today. That could all change though when I go out later and set fire to the spirit money!
I was going to do my food shopping today but then realised the supermarket would be crammed, what with it being a national holiday. I decided to leave it until tomorrow. The spit roast chicken salad I was going to have today will wait and instead I shall have bacon, egg and chips. A man has to eat healthily, after all.
So earlier I went out armed with my electronic translator to the jing jo shop. The two blue workmen tents are still there and as I was not in so much of a funk as last night, I took a better look. The tents are side by side and the one closest to the building is the shrine. People were sitting in there (nobody wailing this time) with white cloth draped over themselves and tied around their foreheads. White is the colour for funerals here. It was nice to see people actually observing the custom, after all that’s what the holiday is for. In the other tent there was booze, baozi steamed buns and outside the men were sat around tables gambling on card games. And what a lovely day they have for it too, markedly warmer than yesterday at 17C. I expect they will be gone tomorrow - the tents I mean.
Then I went to the shop and showed my translation of what transpired last night. The wife seemed to find it mildly amusing and duly called her husband, I assumed to ask how much she should charge for the crowbar. She indicated I should wait and it dawned on me that Hubby was down near Peili Square about a hundred yards away, where during some days he sits and cobbles. I don’t think I have ever had a pair of shoes repaired (even in the heady days when I could afford Grensons and Barkers) and have always simply bought a new pair. I wonder if he can tailor-make a pair? Now there’s a thought.
Anyway, when he eventually came to the shop and the wife explained, he wanted nothing for the crowbar. I admit to being embarrassed. I am pretty sure I am their best customer (400y a week is not chickenfeed) but even so………. I shall have to find something suitable for a gift for them.
Last week I went to buy an apple corer. I now make apple pies a fair bit but have been wasting good flesh by simply cutting bits off so I thought it was a good idea. Naturally I was looking for something similar to what Mum had, looks like a fat pen and with red or orange string wrapped around the handle for better grip. I am clearly out of touch, as you can see from the photo of what I ended up with!
Also, here is a photo of the mint babies, which very soon will really need a bigger pot so they can thicken and not choke each other. I really think I should have only sown a portion of the seeds instead of slinging the entire packet in. Ah well, live and learn eh?
No comments:
Post a Comment