It is not everyday you get compared to a milkman's horse. When I go out with him, hubby says I am like one. Now, I cannot remember a milkman's horse, I am sure they were hard workers and very biddable animals. The suggestion is, according to Hubby, at every stopping point, the horse, (not the milkman) socialised with the householders, or the people who queued for their cans of milk. I have no way of actually knowing, as that type of house-to-house, or, street- to- street milk marketing would have happened before I was aware of it.
So, what prompted this seemingly uncomplimentary suggestion. Where I live, it is usual to acknowledge people you see, whether you know them or not; you might even exchange a word or two, perhaps, even, have a chat. What has this to do with a milkman's horse, I hear you ask?
We passed a guy waiting for an inter-city bus yesterday. After initial polite salutations, it was clear that the man was Canadian. He and I got into conversation very quickly. Hubby disappeared from sight. The man probably learned as much about me and some of the life of the area he was leaving, as I learned about him.
This afternoon when we went out for a walk, we passed a house in the street where we live, where, the patio windows were unusually, open. A woman was mopping the floor, and a cute lapdog sat nearby. Not for long, it came rushing to me, and in its evident haste misjudged its movements and hit itself on the wall. It was naturally a bit dazed, even so, it allowed me to pet it. The lady cleaning up was moving out, she had lived there - invisibly - more than a year. Invisibility was what she preferred, being a bit of a troglodyte, she said. For all that, she was keen to talk, to tell me about her American life, what she missed and did not miss after nineteen years in the U.K. The move, like all moves, was an upheaval, but, she was only going five miles away to a cheaper property. I learned that poor heart health with a concomitant reduction in income had necessitated the retrenchment.
So, what is there to dislike about a milkman's horse? In my humble view, if I am like the milkman's horse of yore, the horse must have been a remarkably sociable companion.
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6 comments:
ZACL,
Definitely your opinion is humble, and I appreciate the sociability in you. Without you, I wouldn't know what's really going on in Scotland.
I like the parts that not milkman but horse was sociable, and as soon as you started to chat with Canadian, your hubby disappeared. Please keep up with your excellent work!
:)
Many thanks for the compliments Keiko.
Today, hubby looked as if he was hiding in a bush, two houses away from the lady with the lapdog. In reality, yes, he had wandered on, but he was also sheltering from a rain shower, while he waited for me.
I wonder if he will disappear every time I talk to someone.
One of the things that I like about living in north Wales,rather than in the suburb of a city, as before, is that people are more inclined to pass the time of day and I am on chatting terms with several fellow dog walkers too. The other side of the coin is that, for all you know, you could be really brightening someone's day with that little chat.
Hello Jennyta,
It would be good to think the communication 'glow' is two-way.
Dog walkers are, (excusing me for being stereotypical) a breed of their own, and very enjoyable to share the time of day with, particularly, if doggy wants to join in as well.
Like you I don't remember the milkman's horse.
Good on you for passing the time of day with people. The world is in far too much of a hurry nowadays, and for the elderly any such chat is generally especially welcome.
Flighty xx
When I first moved here, Mr F, the strangers who smiled at me were disconcerting to me. I was not used to being smiled at, having come from living in a major busy rushing city. Nowadays, it's second nature, I smile and even return waves to people in cars, even though I may be unsure of whom I am waving too! It's just the way it is here.
I agree a good word here or there, if people want to indulge, can be interesting and pleasant.
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