Image Description: Joe standing proudly displaying his basket. The basket is a large rectangular wicker basket with a wicker top
We went out yesterday.
Both Joe and I have been laid low by a cold. We haven’t left the house in days, except for a visit to the doctor (whoo hoo!) This doesn’t really count as an ‘outing’ it counts as an ‘appointment’, I learned this from the work I do and the differing forms required for each act of living.
Yesterday morning we were gifted with a reason to go out. Joe’s big laundry basket collapsed. Just collapsed. It was a big wicker basket and when he was down in the laundry room it up and died. So, we were in need of something that gave us a mission for a experimental trip out. It would allow us to see if we were indeed doing better.
Wrapped up in a huge bundle of clothing, I was ready to go. Joe chose his heavy coat and a matching black and gray scarf. We were winter ready. Joe looked dapper, I looked … warm. We headed out the door and down the street. The day was warmer than we expected and I soon began to sweat. But it wasn’t far, I could peal off six or seven layers for the way home.
We found a big laundry basket, and when we were on the street arranging ourselves to get home, I volunteered to carry the basket. Joe protested, without much conviction, and we were off. I’m used to carrying things home, of course, but this was a bit big and a bit cumbersome. It was a little difficult seeing curbs, but I was managing just fine.
About two blocks from home I saw a couple, maybe in their twenties, standing and gawking at me. Openly gawking. They saw me see them but they didn’t stop, the didn’t care. They were simply unable to move, stuck to the ground by their fascination with my particular difference.
As I went by, I glanced at the young woman and said, “I think you might want to be a bit concerned that your boyfriend has been staring at my basket for the last few minutes.” Then I turned to him and said, “Sorry, babe, but I’m married.” Joe overhearing this added, “Get your eyes off my man’s basket.”
They stayed rooted to the spot. We didn’t burst into laughter til we turned the corner. Then we howled. We didn’t hear them laughing behind us.
We were tired when we got home, but you know, that little interchange put a bit of spring into my step.
Now if spring would come.
