Lately I’ve been adding a clementine to my morning oatmeal, tossing it in while it simmers on the stove.
Which brings me to Whole Foods, trolling for one. Despite their mammoth fruit and produce department, none are in sight, until I spot a bunch in a bushel. I say to the nearby fruit man, “How much are these, so I can tell the cashier since they aren’t marked.”
He grabs it out of my hand like an autographed baseball and says,”No for sale yet.”
“Why not? Just tell me what they’ll be.”
“I say, no for sale,β deigns the Zeus of Fruit.
I’m pissed, but have no time to fight with a guy whose name tag says, Hecto, the r falling off somewhere between pears and beets.
As I pad home, still dreaming of a little citrus waltzing with my oats, I see my favorite fruit man on the corner.
Having no cash, I say, “Can I take a clementine, and pay you later?β He says, with a smile that always reminds me of a crooked fence, “I do one better, I give it to you.”
I smile, my faith in humanity restored when he says, “Please, take two.”Β π
I'm just a girl who likes to write slightly on slant. I've had a career in fashion, dabbled in film and to be honest, I don't like talking about myself. Now my posts are another matter so I will let them speak for themselves.
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We knew a woman who often said, “Mercy me!” I don’t know that she needed mercy as much as those of us who got tired of hearing her say it all the time.
I am not gonna join in on all the fruit puns (coz, I basically suck at them). However, I will say Hecto is a putz. And I just hate when they put stuff out that is not for sale… what the hell?
Thank goodness for your very sweet fruit man. I’ve no doubt you are just as generous with him as he was with you.
I go there very early when they open, so fruit and produce are still a work in progress. Street vendors often have big hearts, not to mention great clemmies. π
I love Clementine’s and I love this tale. ‘Nice’ shouldn’t be for sale. A while back I went to my d-i-laws hair salon for the whole works..I had been there before but it was a tad expensive so this was my treat to me….it was my b’day. Chris, the owner, did me up and when it was time to cough up the $$$$$$’s he hugged me and said “I found out it was your birthday so happy birthday from me to you”. Enjoy! Being nice and kind should be the way of life. Enjoy your oats w/clementine…delish!!!
Not selling produce that is on display is so strange.Luckily, you met a clementine hero.
My grandchildren love them; easy to peel and separate. Gotta keep that vitamin C coming to help keep the germs away.
The Whole Food crew collectively are very rude. They arrive hating the Upper East Side that letβs just say, doesnβt have the best reputation charm wise. I of course by nature am nicer, but Hector, without the r, assumed I was a bitch too. Sigh. Now Abdul the vendor knows me. That crooked fence of a smile, well we can say, itβs gate is always open. π
Screw Hector. And I say that with the R falling off. I pick so much citrus this time of year here in Cali. All my neighbor’s trees are jammed with fruit (no pun intended)… tangerines, grapefruit, oranges, Meyer lemons. I pick massive amounts and give them away.
Your post whetted my appetite for a clementine so I ordered a little box of them. Shipt deliverers my goods ’cause I’m not near anything else; one of the delivery persons occasionally brings me a bouquet of flowers just being kind. Had clementines for breakfast this morning, thanks to you Susannah! Hugs!
Maybe he’s a Virgo. Very neat and tidy, needs things in order…or else. Have known a few Virgos in my time. Like dating Patton in the ship shape department.
Your shoping trip was fruitful, after all. I found it apPEALing. Not the same old gRIND.
What a story! You almost have to live in NY to believe it.
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Sure BEETS staying home feeling FRUITless.
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A CAR ROTS if it isn’t run. LETTUCE see what we can do about it.
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You’re such a peach. What else can I say.
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It apPEARs I’m fruity. Better BAN ANne A round here.
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You’re on fire on this one. Your fruit cup runneth over. π
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That’s fine if goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.
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Mercy me, if only.
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We knew a woman who often said, “Mercy me!” I don’t know that she needed mercy as much as those of us who got tired of hearing her say it all the time.
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Itβs like the guy singing on the train you give money to, so heβll stop. π
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We never thought of tipping the woman to stop saying “Mercy me!”
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It works. I know she’d wonder why you’d be handing her a dollar, so maybe a cake or pie would be better. π
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You are right. She had good manners, so that would have kept her mouth full, preventing speech.
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Thatβs sure is a mouthful. π
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Something for nothing in NYC? You must be a charmer.
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I do bring him things…hand warmers, water. I’m conscious of their presence in all the elements. A tough gig to sell anything on the street.
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Well, in that case, it is nice that he showed his appreciation.
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I think they’re actually just plain surprised. They’re mostly Muslim men who don’t expect anything, let alone kindness. A Humbling assessment.
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So glad your faith was restored. There really are still good people in the world and your story is a great reminder of that.
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I agree. New York can just be so sassy. Everywhere you go. sigh
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The produce guy doesn’t want to sell them if they’re too fresh.
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That could be. Yet he was pretty fresh. π
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I am not gonna join in on all the fruit puns (coz, I basically suck at them). However, I will say Hecto is a putz. And I just hate when they put stuff out that is not for sale… what the hell?
Thank goodness for your very sweet fruit man. I’ve no doubt you are just as generous with him as he was with you.
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I see him often, since, he’s right on my corner. I always stop, ask how he is…is he warm enough, did he sleep. Ya know…:)
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The kindness of a guy on the corner illustrates that a good deed can be a βfruitfulβ endeavor.
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Well said. π
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Why would a Whole Foods put food out on the floor of not for sale? Weird.! But it led to a street vendor who have you a gift. Wonderful!
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I go there very early when they open, so fruit and produce are still a work in progress. Street vendors often have big hearts, not to mention great clemmies. π
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I love Clementine’s and I love this tale. ‘Nice’ shouldn’t be for sale. A while back I went to my d-i-laws hair salon for the whole works..I had been there before but it was a tad expensive so this was my treat to me….it was my b’day. Chris, the owner, did me up and when it was time to cough up the $$$$$$’s he hugged me and said “I found out it was your birthday so happy birthday from me to you”. Enjoy! Being nice and kind should be the way of life. Enjoy your oats w/clementine…delish!!!
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How nice of him. I always feel birthdays should be legal holidays…schools and banks closed, along with a perpetual white sale at Bloomingdales.
Happy Birthday Vasca.
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Since Hecto was a pup just doesn’t have the same ring to it . . .
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I suppose not.
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Not selling produce that is on display is so strange.Luckily, you met a clementine hero.
My grandchildren love them; easy to peel and separate. Gotta keep that vitamin C coming to help keep the germs away.
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I like that I can shove one in my Barbour pocket.
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Is that like Wimpy pulling a hamburger out of his pocket on Popeye? Only healthier and far less messy!
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That’s me, the vegan Wimpy. That made me laugh.
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The difference between bigger commerce and the smaller merchant.
“You can’t have that” (I doubt we will see you again) and “Hey have two” (I will see that lady tomorrow and the day after).
Why must some people be so insular and greedy, it really spoils the world sometimes.
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The Whole Food crew collectively are very rude. They arrive hating the Upper East Side that letβs just say, doesnβt have the best reputation charm wise. I of course by nature am nicer, but Hector, without the r, assumed I was a bitch too. Sigh. Now Abdul the vendor knows me. That crooked fence of a smile, well we can say, itβs gate is always open. π
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Screw Hector. And I say that with the R falling off. I pick so much citrus this time of year here in Cali. All my neighbor’s trees are jammed with fruit (no pun intended)… tangerines, grapefruit, oranges, Meyer lemons. I pick massive amounts and give them away.
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You’re so funny. And Anne would appreciate your wordplay since, she’s the master at it. Jammed…I’m laughing, no easy feat on a rainy, windy, Friday.
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aww, shucks… thank you
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It was very funny…they don’t call you Clever Girl for nothing. π
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I would have liked to chew her out.
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I’d chew, then spit her out, like a pit of sorts.
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Your post whetted my appetite for a clementine so I ordered a little box of them. Shipt deliverers my goods ’cause I’m not near anything else; one of the delivery persons occasionally brings me a bouquet of flowers just being kind. Had clementines for breakfast this morning, thanks to you Susannah! Hugs!
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They are definitely in season. How nice you ordered a box. Good goin’.
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Sounds like Hecto is the kind of guy who likes things exactly so. At least he’s nice though.
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Maybe he’s a Virgo. Very neat and tidy, needs things in order…or else. Have known a few Virgos in my time. Like dating Patton in the ship shape department.
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