The Adventures of Naomie 39
The Adventures of Naomie 39
Monday morning There was a box on the porch from the Calcutta Flower Shop. She had seen the shop but ever went in to look at the plants. It was addressed to Naomie Williams. Wondering when it had been delivered she opened it to see what was inside.
A beautiful live Ginger plant was enclosed. The card read from Thomas Bell and Asha and Albert. We miss you and your cooking. Another card gave the care and growing directions for the area and zone where she was living.
She took the plant inside and placed it on the counter near a window.
Today's was easy with Matthew. No really big animals for her to wrestle down. She had never had to work on a pet chicken before but quickly learned how to splint it's leg. The child was happy but the Father would have rather put the chicken in a stew pot.
Matthew took care of the billing so she was happy about that. When she happily arrived home at lunchtime Matthew said he'd call her if they needed to go out on call again. She said she was going to go back down the road to the yard sale.
There she found six books by Mary Lasswell.
Suds in Your Eye (1942)
High Time (1944)
One on the House (1949)
Wait for the Wagon (1951)
Tooner Schooner (1953)
Let's Go for Broke (1962)
The gentleman having the yard sale commented that the books had been his wife's.
“ It's unusual to see a younger woman like you get excited over these books. My wife passed away a few years ago and I decided to let them go today. You are not from around here are you?”
“Mary Lasswell is one of my favorite authors. Her eccentric older ladies are great fun. I have been reading and rereading her books since I discovered them in my Mama's personnel library.
I do own her cookbook from 1946, called Mrs. Rasmussen’s Book of One Armed Cookery. It was in the donation box of books when we ran the Honeybee Porch. I always had to ask permission from Mama to borrow her books.
Naomie introduced herself. She found out he was a substitute pastor at the church she was attending.
“I have no clue how long I will be here in Enon Valley. I will go back to Alexandria when I finish helping Matthew Bell.” said Naomie.
“Ah then you are a Veterinarian? We could use another around here since his brother went off to India.”
“Yes I was working in India when I accidentally bumped into his brother in India. We did not work together but knew a mutual couple.
When I returned to America he contacted me hoping I did not have a commitment yet. His brother, Matthew, needed me to help him for four months so I'm here.
Actually Matthew's wife Cindy and I were old school mates. I said I'd help for at least six months if needed. India was nice and interesting. The couple I lived with were very nice to me. They missed their daughter so I took her place.
I'm really happy to be back in the USA.” said Naomie.
He placed the box of books in her truck. He also gave her a pair of bookends that actually went with the books. He then went off to tend to customers.
Naomie was almost home when she got a call from Matthew.
“Hello Naomie, are you anywhere near Cedar Point Road?” asked Matthew.
“I am pulling out of Pastor Barns driveway.”
“Good take a left and go down to South Ditch and hang a right. I'll be there as soon as I can. Pat Vincent's hogs got loose and are all over the road. He's not home and his wife and teen girls are all in a flutter.”
Naomie drove right to the problem. She called the girls over and said Matthew had sent her to help.
“How many hogs are there and can you get me some corn from the crib?”
“Yes.” was the answer from both girls.
“Now where did they get out of? A gate or did they break the fence?”
The girls showed Naomie where they got out and broke part of the fence.
“Lets all get sticks and try to guide them back through the gate.
We'll coax them back with corn. I do not relish the thought of a 500 pound hog turning us into sausage! They are smart but we are smarter.
If you know the Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme sing with me and we'll guide them back through the gate:
This little piggy went to market
This little piggy stayed home
This little piggy had roast beef
This little piggy had none
This little piggy went
Wee wee wee
All the way home
This little piggy jumped up
This little piggy sat down
This little piggy wouldn't take a nap
This little piggy ran around
This little piggy put his nose in a book
And never made a sound
When Matthew and the girl's Dad pulled up they saw
everything was under control.
“What a story. Nobody will believe me! Singing to the hogs. You are all amazing.” Dad said. Matthew smiled.
She had a vivid imagination and would carry it on for the rest of her life.
©Julia A Knaake