I had a post for today which was a bit of a gripe but something nice yet strange happened to change my mind. Maybe I'll be back with the cranky post next week.
Anyway, it was a dry day so I took advantage and decided to mow my yard. My neighbor's mowers all around me were humming away. The urge to mow was in the air.
I have a fairly large back yard so I tackle that first. It normally takes about 45 minutes to cut on a rider. As I was making my rounds, I noticed a metallic blue pickup parked up on the road. There was no traffic so he was not impeding anyone. I figured he was making a phone call. The color was strikingly different so I know I had never seen it before.
It stayed there as I made quite a few turns around the long part of the yard and then it was gone. I thought nothing else of it.
I thought, goodness did I buy these a long ago maybe for a painting project and just forgot I had them? Then I noticed no dust on the package. That ruled out long ago and an absent minded Patti. As I thought about it, I'm sure they had not been there when I got the mower out.
I called a friend who had been offering me some of her supply that she has had for ages to see if she had dropped them off. I have always told her she need them more than I for she is also compromised. She said no, that she had taken me at my word.
Now I was getting more curious. Where did they come from? Called my neighbor and he said he had no idea but he was a bit alarmed that someone had kind of sneaked on my property unannounced. I have a fenced and gated yard. He made me promise to call him if I saw anyone suspicious.
I really don't think I have anything to fear from my visitor. I mean he left something instead of taking anything. I have no idea whom to thank but I will know that truck if I see it again.
Thinking I might use if I were going somewhere extra protection might be needed, I tried on the mask. The sad part is that I couldn't wear it. I have COPD and found breathing rather difficult through the mask and it was really warm. Back to my cloth ones.
So I will find a home for the one I didn't try on.
Someone was thinking of me and that alone kind of made my day. Pretty sure it had something to do with that strange blue pickup. A mystery to solve.
Ever get a surprise gift and have no idea where it came from? Did you pursue the source or just accept it graciously?
Just barely remember the Fibber McGee and Molly radio show. Funny all those little memories still shelved in our brains. What a sweet little mystery. Very sorry to learn you have COPD, Patti. Glad you have a nice big backyard. Sounds like a haven.
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteHa ha, so glad someone else remembers--if vaguely--Fibber. Amazing what is still in our mental filing system.
Thank you for your concern about my COPD. Probably my least favorite ailment but am learning to work around it.
What really interests me about this post is that you noticed that truck and thought nothing of it versus a neighbor being all paranoid about someone being on your property (to give, not to take). I do know there are dangers out there, but on the whole I find it quite sad that so many have completely lost trust in fellow human beings.
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteBob has always been a bit protective of me since I live alone. Also last week, they had two men walk up their lane and pull on their Covid masks just as they approached his house. He said as far as he knew, they did no harm.
Those two events do seem related. I wonder why someone would not put them in your mailbox instead of sneaking onto your property to put them there. But it was a nice gesture in any event. Glad you enjoyed your day and got that lawn mowed to boot! :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteIt isn't legal to just do that--though I do it sometimes. It would have been easier than opening the gate and walking to my shed to leave the masks.
I get lots of surprise gifts from strangers. They arrive with four legs. Some dogs, some cats all dumped in the country by persons not wanting their pets anymore. It is always sad because I cannot adopt them. Thanks for commenting on my recent post. Not sure I will stay with it, but sure miss everyone.
ReplyDeleteAnni,
DeleteOh I know that feeling. When I lived int he country in Florida they did that to me all the time also. One reason I opened the shelter.
Hope you keep up the blog Anni-you were missed.
DJay...putting stuff in mailboxes is a federal offense that some take seriously.
ReplyDeleteMy most recent post (May 9th) was able a couple of random acts of kindness so I fully understand the feeling of being a recipient of an unexpecting gift.
It wouldn't have bothered me to see a car or truck parked on my street. Sometimes that's the only place you can get some alone time or like you said, take a phone call. I often pull over to jot down notes for an idea I don't want to forget.
Jean,
DeleteIt really is kind of special during these times when people go out of their way to do something nice for us. Gives you the warm fuzzies in an otherwise cold time.
Patti, this is nice, creepy and a tad bit scary. I hope it was the man in the blue truck but if your home is gated how did he get to your shed? Wouldn't you have seen him walk across your yard. Either way it was nice of whomever. I have a big cloth face mask with an N95 removable filter. It is very nice but my God is it warm and hard to breath so I understand how that can be even more difficult for you.
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteActually, my shed is quite large and blocks my view of the gate and front yard. My back yard is down a hill and while I could see the street to the side, not anyone coming through the gate. Guess he left it in the shed as he knew I would be putting the mower back there. The blue truck was down the hill about 100 feet from my gate. I did see a person on foot walk up to the driver. Next time I looked, he was gone. Pretty sure it was him. Now just who "him" was is the question for the truck was new to me.
Milentry,
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and commenting. I will check your blog out.
That is an interesting find in your shed. It's a little bit weird that someone just came into your yard unbidden and unnoticed. Mmmm? It does seem like a lovely gesture, but also a little bit strange. Take care there and stay well and healthy.
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteThat is what made it such a mystery to me. I would have thought they would have left it on my porch but instead left it in my shed. It was quite windy, they might have thought it could have blown off the porch.
Dear Patti, maybe the pick-up person was "paying it forward" in some way. We probably will never know. I've never--that I can recall--had a gift given by an unknown giver. But so often friends and family have given me gifts that came as a surprise and made me realize anew just how blessed my life is.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I well remember listening to "Fibber McGee and Molly" on the radio. And I remember that closet that things came tumbling out of! Peace.
Dee,
DeleteThat is what I am thinking also. I do believe he had the best intent.
Ha ha, Fibber's closet really made a racket when it came tumbling down didn't it?
Well, that was a nice gift. Too bad you can't wear it. As for unexpected gifts, I remember seeing a floral arrangement on my doorstep. Still don't know who left it.
ReplyDeletegigi,
DeleteOh my, you had one too. Kind of frustrating not knowing isn't it? Maybe we should have dusted for prints:))
Me? I am too paranoid to try one on. Could be full of germs, tho unlikely. Odd that the person in the pick-up came into your garage/tool shed! I'm sorry, I don't trust strangers/strange things.
ReplyDeleteHootin Anni,
DeleteI really wish he had done it in person. Maybe he meant to but saw I was busy. I'm pretty trusting.
I sure wish they'd left a note so you wouldn't be left scratcing your head...well Patti, you're one of the friendliest people I know (online) so I'm just not surprised. And there are a lot of kind people out there... several weeks ago when I blogged about not having a mask yet, a girl I went to high school with (and haven't seen or even talked to in 42 years) sent me a couple hand-sewn masks. Super nice surprise.. but at least she included a small note :)
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteAw thanks Doug. What a nice thing to say.
That was really cool that your friend from 42 years before sent you those masks. If I remember, they were really nice looking and quite masculine.
I don't recall ever being left a surprise gift. I might feel a bit spooked about where it was left.
ReplyDeleteFun 60,
DeleteThe more I think about it, pretty sure he would have given it to me in person but saw I was busy mowing.
I think he should have spoken to you.. you don't know what he may have sprayed on that mask.. put in garbage.. strangers don't do that .. and I am sure he knew you were out mowing..
ReplyDeleteJan,
DeleteOh I know he knew I was mowing and he put it where he knew I would see it. Actually I think there were two of them and I am not worried. The masks were in a sealed, hard plastic box.
A friend here in the canyon gave me a mask she had made. While not a surprise, it was a welcome gift.
ReplyDeleteInger,
DeleteDoesn't it make you feel great when someone does something thoughtful like that?
Strange for sure. I would not like that, stay out of my garage! Fibber? I know what you were talking about, but radio programs were before my time, not by much, but...I think my folks ysed to make Fibber closet references.
ReplyDeleteJoeh,
DeleteYou know, that is most of my memories of Fibber. Invoking him was how my parents described something that was a bit of a mess.
Wow that's weird. I wish someone would leave me thoughtful gifts like that. I hope you find out who it is and let us all know!
ReplyDeleteJoey,
DeleteI am using my detective skills to find out who it was. Hey, I've got nothing else to do:) If I do I will let you know.
We received two cloth masks in the mail, a navy one obviously for Hubby since the other was a lovely and feminine flowery pattern. We had no idea who sent them, but my spouse examined the accompanying paperwork. AHA, he found a email address that solved the mystery. Our son's lovely intended was our mystery gift-giver. And her thoughtfulness did brighten our day.
ReplyDeleteLC,
DeleteSo glad you found the really nice culprit. Something out of the blue like that really does brighten our days.
An interesting mystery. I'm just sorry you can't use that thoughtful gift.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteMe too. It would have been nice to use in a situation where I would want protected. However, I found it too uncomfortable to wear.
I've had a plate of biscuits (cookies) left on my front porch table near my door, so clearly they were for me, but there was no note saying who they were from, so I threw them out because some neighbours bake delicious cookies and some neighbours bake cookies with illegal ingredients. I later found out they were cinnamon cookies form one of the good neighbours who has promised to always leave a note now.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteSo glad you found out who did it. When there is no note, we don't know if it is good or maybe bad thing. Of course, the ones with the illegal ingredients might have been fun.
Yes, as a matter of fact I have and recently though I did actually see the people. I just don't know who they were or where they went after they left me a bag with a supply of various masks -- surgical variety and a couple other types -- the kind protocol always dictated be disposed of after wearing when seeing just one patient when I worked in the hospital and other medical. (I am making them last with more than one wear as I've only been in my car for drive thrus or pickups lasting short times.)
ReplyDeleteWhen our tv news first announced we should start wearing masks, soon after my doorbell rang. I went to the door to discover an Asian couple standing 6 ft from one another at the end of my drive, she was holding a bag. He spoke English, she was a Limited English speaker I soon discovered. They offered me masks which I initially thought they were selling, but they only wanted to give them to me. I graciously and gladly accepted so after I closed my door she set the bag there which I retrieved. They had no other bags, did not seem to be going door to door, so I don't know why I was singled out since the couple across the street weren't offered any. There was a Christian religious booklet in the bag so it might have been associated with my next door Chinese neighbors who I know have regular small group religious meetings, but these weren't my neighbors. I wondered if it was prompted by my making an effort to give those neighbors a welcome in both written English and Chinese I had translated on Google then copied as a handout because they both were non-English speakers.
I also wondered if it was a gesture from Chinese people to an American to counter some of the discriminatory actions taken against Asians I had heard about on the news. I guess I'll never know unless my Chinese neighbors learn some English and if I ever see them I can ask them.
That was a lovely intended potentially life-saving gesture someone made to you. There are people who care. Too bad the N95s are too hard for you to breath through.
Joared,
DeleteThat was really nice what you had done for them in the first place. Sounds like they wanted to repay your kindness.
I am sorry what some Asian Americans are having to endure today largely due to Trump trying to pass the blame.
I was sorry I couldn't use them also but I was just too uncomfortable and it was hard to breathe.
Oh, and I remember Fibber's closet well -- and the radio sounds every time he opened the door.
ReplyDeletejoared,
DeleteI think everyone listened just for that sound when he would open the door.
I'm a little young for Fibber McGee but I have heard of the radio program. On the other hand, I know I've had surprise gifts but I'm old enough to have forgotten when and what! :)
ReplyDeleteEileen,
DeleteSurprise gifts are fun, if we learn who sent them. Otherwise, the wondering will keep you up at night.
Since I live in a condo complex, people drop off things on our patio table. But nothing as wonderful as an N95! When things open up a bit more, I hope to do little acts of random kindness. My volunteer Village has been delivering small items to our members ... flowers, masks, etc and then leaving (like doing May Day bouquets) People LOVE surprises!
ReplyDeleteOh, you found a surprise in your warehouse ... found a unique-shaped mask. At least this time is very useful to be used to avoid exposure to the virus.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice days.
Regards from Indonesia.
Glad to see you blogging again … I've been lax in checking emails … it seems odd to me that a person would come on your property like that but I guess it was all for the good. I, too, use the cotton fabric masks … which I made myself.
ReplyDeleteAs graciously as I can.
ReplyDeleteFibber McGee and Molly. Remember the name but not the program. What a nice surprise. I don't think I've ever received any surprise like that. I use a bandana folded several times and hair rubberbands for ear clips. I borrowed a sewing machine to sew some up but decided I liked what I had so didn't make any. I have several bandanas so that works out fine.
ReplyDeleteYou are very brave. If I saw a Strange truck or car I would be scared.And not happy that somehow you got masa’s in your garden shed. Stay safe.
ReplyDelete