greentapestry : A Cautionary Tale

Sunday 13 December 2009

A Cautionary Tale



Like long ago essay deadlines Christmas shopping usually sees me living on the edge. This year, despite having all the time in the world, has been no exception. I realised last week how near on the horizon Christmas is and decided that I must be proactive. So on Friday I switched the reluctant shopper button on and headed by bus into Chester. I would like to say it was a successful mission but elementary mistakes were made. The first of these was forgetting to write a list so I fell at the first hurdle.

One or two little gifts were purchased though as well as some festive fare. The latter including a stollen has been secreted away in case himself eats it - the man is a serious serial stollen addict and I do not want to put temptation in his way. Before leaving town I wondered into that bastion of the British high street M&S to pick up one or two bits and bobs from their food department. Before I could do that I was mesmerised by the most colourful display of orchids that were 'This Week's Bargain Buy' and indeed they were at half price, all of £4.99p. Now could I resist - of course not! After what seemed like half an hour of uming and aaaahing I finally selected one and placed in my shopping trolley. By the time I left the store I was laden down and creatively or so I thought, rearranged my shopping so the orchid slid into a long bag, which already held a roll of wrapping paper. This left me with just two bags to carry - no sweat. Back onto the bus and I merrily daydreamed away the journey home. Stepping off the bus and walking along I soon felt that something was missing. I looked down and it dawned upon me that I was minus a bag - the one containing my new plant. A rather unladylike four lettered word involuntarily slipped from my lips. So I returned home to relate my loss to himself. Later after finally tracking down the phone number of the local bus depot (this required the sleuthing ability of Miss Marple) and a four hour wait before the bus finally returned there, I was delighted to hear that my bag with its contents still intact had been handed in to the driver. It was yesterday though before the two of us were reunited. The moral of this story is not to be tempted by horticultural goodies when out on the important business of Christmas shopping. Keep to the matter in hand!

17 comments:

  1. Dearest Anna:
    Leave it to plant to totally muck up the well laid plans of mice and men..... I could actually hear the four lettered word as it burst forth from pursed lips.....

    This is indeed a malady that many of us suffer at this time of year. I have learned that every bag needs to be taken to the boot of the car - and only once safely deposited - am I free to continue with the shopping. My lesson - find one store that will have just about everything on the list..... less wear and tear on the feet, and less chance of 'misplacing' any of the treasures.

    Like you, I always seem to manage to find something for myself, even when supposedly shopping for others. Glad to hear you are in possession of your precious orchid. Stay safe and warm my friend!

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  2. I laughed *and* felt guilty when I read this. I know I should be shopping - but it is too cold!

    Enjoy your Christmas orchid :)

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  3. Chester is my shopping city too. I would like to say I have finished my shopping but I haven't yet done the dread thing of spreading everything out and thinking that so and so has been short changed this year.....

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  4. Oh Anna, this is a fine example of the miracle of Christmas, that you were reunited with the orchid package. I admire you going shopping riding the bus, that is unheard of and impossible here, since we have no buses. We must travel by car wherever we go, although it does make it easier to have parcels loaded to the ceiling in the back seat, and buy larger gifts that don't have to be carried about. But we are really about onine shopping anymore, and having it delivered to the giftee. Lazy, I know.

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  5. Perhaps the lesson should be never to use public transport?? lol, I won't begin ranting too much about it, but I find it particularly incredible that not only do we have to wait 30 minutes before a bus finally turns up and of course because it's delayed by so much three all come at once, but to add insult in injury they even then expect you to pay for the pleasure of them being late!

    Luckily I can usually walk to/from work, but at this time of year I refuse to, as I have scary dark parks to walk past...

    I hope you manage to get the rest of your presents bought... I'm almost done, saved a few to buy for Wednesday night when my friend wants to go shopping and rather than following him around town I thought it best I saved some to buy too! :)

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  6. What a funny post Anna - I am so delighted that you were re-united with your lovely coloured orchid.

    I haven't started my christmas shopping yet - maybe tomorrow

    K

    (PS I haven't been to Chester for ages)

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  7. Anna, for that price, I would have bought two!

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  8. It's a beautiful orchid - well worth the trouble! My son once left a bicycle on a light rail train. Unfortunately, that was never found.

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  9. Anna ... What a delightful post... full of wit and sound advice. Making a list and keeping to ones mission perhaps is safer especially this season. How lovely you were reunited with your orchid. I would like to think it would happen any time of year ... that a kind person would leave your bag with the bus driver. Thank you for the smiles. Best of luck with your remaining shopping. Carol

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  10. I'm glad you were able to be reunited with your orchid. I guess I will stay away from the nurseries until after my Christmas shopping is done :)

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  11. Glad to note that you have safely recovered those beautiful moth orchid plant. ITs expensive & considered a difficult plant to care in my place.

    Have a nice Christmas & a wonderful New Year!

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  12. Great post, I had a good laugh with you and sympathise with you over the dreaded Christmas shopping. Glad you got your lovely orchid back, you were obviously meant to be together!!

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  13. Great story - I really dont think you had your thinking cap on that day but amazing that you were reunited with your orchid.

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  14. Hi Anna

    Restores confidence in people when that happens.

    I once left a work bag in a train on the Metropolitan line. It got handed in to lost property at baker street. Unbelievable. I was convinced it would be nicked.

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  15. I love a story with a happy ending. Unfortunately, I now have that Peaches & Herb song going thru my head.

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  16. Stollen is better the longer it sits, anyway! :) I don't like shopping, esp. not when it's extra crowded like during the holidays. I try to get people bits and boobs throughout the year when I see something, and I don't exchange gifts with too many people, so I'm safe. And, finally, my cats inform me it's always best to be cautionary with one's tail :)

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  17. There are still some honest people about, thank goodness. I saw the same orchid bargains in M&S myself. I managed to resist though as I already have two orchids.

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All your comments are much appreciated and treasured. I wil try to reply to everyone who leaves a comment, but it may take me a few days, especially when I start spending more time in the garden and at the lottie. I know that you will understand :) I am sure that I will also visit your blog if I have not already done so. If you have any specific questions I will either reply to them here or you can email me at : thegreentapestry@gmail.com

Namasté

- Anna.