My English grandfather was an interesting man. As an occupation he made stained glass for windows in churches. He was also a keen gardener (he had “green fingers” – anything he planted, grew). He and grandmother lived in a very rural area (water from a well in the garden) and their garden was always well managed.
It was an old house (I believe something like 200 years) and occasionally grandfather would “touch it up” with a lick of paint. Grandmother was musical and somehow they had managed to acquire a piano which was her pride and joy.
I remember vividly one winter afternoon standing with him digging potatoes; this was the basic along with the other stuff he grew. From the house we could hear grandmother playing, a glorious sound that carried across the vegetables. We stopped our work to listen; with a slow smile he turned to me and said
“aren’t we lucky; potatoes for the winter,
A lick of paint to brighten the day
And music for the soul”
Now that’s a real return on your investment, don’t you think?
Until next time (but no green fingers),
Peripatetic Scribe
Super, P.S. Takes me back to my own childhood and very similar experiences in NZ. Think I shall get my class to think back in the same way and consider what they are perhaps missing.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful story taking me back to my own childhood. Sadly, hardly anyone talks about this type of return on investment nowadays. Wrong values, futile return on investment, instead. Luckily, there is someone there to keep reminding us of it!
ReplyDeleteLucana
Hi Anonymous and thanks for your comment. Lucana has also posted a comment (below) which sums up my views entirely - so many are focusing on the wrong return on their investment. Time will prove them wrong!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lucana. I think your point about living a simpler life is a very valid one to which I can easily subscribe
ReplyDelete