9.16.2008

Further Signs


A couple of things have happened recently that are in the same category as looking for my cell phone while talking on my cell phone:

1. The other day, I was looking at the number of a missed call on my cell phone. I couldn't see the number clearly, so I put my glasses on, but they didn't make it any better. I took them off, cleaned them, and put them back on, trying again to make the number out. I was extremely frustrated, thinking my eyes were getting worse and, besides, my phone is a cheap piece of shit, with its scratched face and dim light... I was cursing loudly over all this and finally threw the glasses in the passenger seat, at which point I realized I'd been using my sunglasses.

2. Yesterday, our newlywed tenant (we have a basement apt) came up and asked to borrow my can opener. He told me both he and his wife were sick and could only eat soup. Unfortunately, they'd forgotten to buy a can opener. Being charitable when it's easy, I gave him mine and said they could just keep it for a couple of days, because I wouldn't need it until I made tuna casserole.

Well, I don't know what I was thinking, because I did end up needing it last night, for the hamburger casserole. But instead of bothering them, knowing they felt bad, I went next door and used my neighbor's. This afternoon, though, when I needed it to open cream of chicken for my chicken casserole (That's right), I decided to go down and ask to use mine. I grabbed the can of soup and went to knock on the door.

Mrs. Tenant opened it in her little pajamas, saw the can in my hand, and started apologizing for not bringing the can opener back. I explained, effusively, how sorry I was that she didn't feel well, and how much I hated to bother her. I said she could just let me use the can opener, and they could keep it for a while longer, or forever. I used the can to air-punctuate my sentences.

She kept looking at me and the can of soup with a funny look on her face but told me her hubby was picking up a can opener at the store, so I could have mine back. It wasn't until I got back into my kitchen that I noticed the can's BIG-ASS PULL TAB.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

If it makes you feel any better, I couldn't come up with the phrase "watering can" on Saturday - looking right at it as Kitty was taking a big drink from it out in the yard. Scary since that's not the first time I haven't been able to come up with a word ...

Tania Rochelle said...

That happened to me the other day, but I can't even remember what word it was.

Collin Kelley said...

I find myself forgetting people's names often, especially when I go to readings and people come up and start shooting the shit and I'm desperately trying to remember where I met them, any clue to their name, how to sign their book. The old "how do you spell that" doesn't work so well anymore.

Thomas said...

We can fix this, and maybe even get you out of the false left/right paradigm. Hey at least now you might have an excuse! Fish oil, niacin, choline . . .

Anonymous said...

Fortunately, my mind is still strong as ever.

Tania Rochelle said...

"as ever" being the perfect qualifier.

Tania Rochelle said...

Thomas, or maybe I should change my diet...

Thomas said...

That is what I said essentially, but you must do both. Stop fluoride now, don't drink the water! Did I forget to respond earlier, I owe lots of responses . . .

Anonymous said...

I know all too well what you're talkin' 'bout. .....Uh.....what was I talkin' about?

ButtonHole said...

A can opener for hamburger casserole? I must know: do you use canned ground beef?

Those were excellent stories, and that really is the only question that I have out of the whole narrative. Very well-told, a fine execution, and it all held my interest very well.

Russell Kaye said...

laughing now. thanks

Tania Rochelle said...

Button, the casserole takes a canned corn and cream of mushroom soup. You can used frozen corn, but that's a lot of trouble.

Anonymous said...

That's a whole lotta casseroles...maybe you could rename yer blog: "The Stone's CASSEROLE Dream".

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