Got together with the Women Who Run with the Moose last week. It was our girls night, and Celeste was hosting. She has this nice sun porch overlooking her beautiful garden. Flower’s blooming, birds splashing around in the bird bath. It’s a feast real for the eyes.
I says, “Saw Gladys Knight down to into the A&P yesterday.” (This is not your Gladys Knight with the Pips, but Gladys Knight, who used to be our Mahoosuc Mills town clerk.)
Dot goes, “Didn’t she retire end of last year?”
“Yup, place ain’t the same without her. She ran a tight ship.”
“That she did. How’s she doing?”
“Well, just between us, she didn’t look that good,” I reply. “Kinda like a deer caught in the headlights.”
“That can happen,” Rita says. “Folks retire, and they don’t know what to do with themselves.”
“Hey, I’ve seen more than one retiree who’s in the A&P buying groceries one day at a time. Guess it gives ’em something to do.”
Shirley adds, “Scares the bejesus outta me, retiring. I’m hanging in as long as I can. Besides, Daigle Flooring would fall apart without me.”
“No doubt. Ron and them would be up the creek without a paddle.”
“Those boys need managing, something fierce!”
Betty chimes in, “You gotta find something that makes you want to get outta bed in the morning. Pat and me golf during the summer. We organize the couples league. In the winter, he bowls and I knit.”
“Bud was kinda lost ’til he started driving for the Senior Center,” Celeste adds. “I come up with the idea and he just bit it off. Loves getting those seniors from place to place. I’m still thinking of putting in my papers at the end of this year. Now that he’s squared away, I can figure out what I’m going to do with myself. Maybe join the garden club. To be developed.”
I says, “It’s weird, your whole life, people ask, ‘How’s work going?’ Or ‘What do you do?’ Foks don’t ask, ‘What’s your favorite color?’ or ‘What character would you be on Gilligan’s Island?'”
“Oh, that’s a good one,” Celeste says. “I’d be Ginger, for sure.”
“Based on how you flirt with Nelson the bartender down to the Hukilau, that sounds about right,” Shirley quips.
Rita goes, “Ida, you’d Mary Ann, of course.”
“Of course.”
“I’m good with Mrs. Howell,” Betty says. “She had some nice outfits.”
“I’m the Skipper,” Dot chimes in, “because I like driving boats!”
“Dottie, you’re such a lead foot you could get that three hour tour down to one and a half.”
“I guess I’m Gilligan, then,” Rita sighs.
“No! You’re the professor. You know everything about everything down to Smitty’s Hardware.”
“Yeah, but in the rest of my life, I feel like Gilligan.”
“You can be both.”
“That leaves Mr. Howell for you Shirley.”
“No way. I’m going to be the hero who rescues you Bozo’s from that island.”
God, what a great bunch of gals!
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
Hear Ida Tell It: Gilligan’s Island