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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
Walking up First Avenue, today, on my way to swim, a girl of about twenty handed me a yellow tulip while her friend filmed her. Walking in opposite directions, we didn’t stop as we exchanged smiles. She seemed to struggle not to avert her eyes. The flower was nearly the last of the bunch she’d been distributing; its leaves and one of its petals drooped.
I stopped in one of the Indian stores to buy nuts. As I searched out the almonds, cashews and filberts, a couple of Latinas, about my age, examined rocks for crushing spices at the end of the aisle. The rocks came in sets, an oblong that fit in your hand, and a slab. They discussed the implements in Spanish and English. In Spanish, they said it would be a good thing to have around the kitchen for when your man got out of hand, “biff,” and in English they said it was an interesting utensil. They went to the next aisle and continued their conversation in the same way. I called across the clutter, “You guys are rough.” They weren’t sure if I was talking to them. Then I went around and handed one of them the tulip, “Now you won’t have to beat anyone up.” We laughed.
Further up First -- and the connection is only the spring and the walk -- a young couple was walking my way. She was a step or two ahead of him and smiling broadly, obviously liked him very much. She did a little turn, a complete 360 -- rather like the pigeons at this time of year, if more graceful -- and said, “so you want an arranged marriage.” I wish them much happiness. And all of you, as well.
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467 |
IP:
Here's your word connection: serendipitous.
Everyone should have days like that frequently to remind them that there's more to life than conquest, war, famine and death.
Instead there's love, beauty, springtime, and smiles. Sounds to me as though you got a little bit of each today.
You put a smile on my face.
Thanks
TEd
TEd
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
TEd,
Yes. Serendipity. Serendipity in small things.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Mano y metate. That's what the implements are called.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
<<Mano y Metate>>
I know a metate as a mexican implement, similar to a mortar, but made of vulcanic rock -- rough -- and standing on three legs. These were just slab and oblong, and from India -- same words?
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
a mexican implement, similar to a mortar
I remember seeing a mano and metate sitting in an automatic dishwasher. A vision of the old and new that will never leave me.
Yes, they were black, apparently igneous rocks, one roughly cylindrical, about 40 cm long and maybe 10 in diameter and the other a slab, about a meter long by 50 cm wide with a depression about 5 cm deep. I didn't see any feet, but I would suppose they would have to have been there. I know the word metate from Anthro classes. I know the things as Indian, but I don't know them as Indian.
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
Lovely post, insey - your yellow tulip made me think of that phrase about random acts of kindness, and I too smiled broadly in a gentle night :)
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
Yes, I know, it's its. And it's "'its.'"
Apostraphes are femine marks, have their own logic and attraction.
And, for that last, I have already slapped myself. You needn't bother.
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891 |
How nice Insel (the first post, not the slapping of oneself  ) I think it is nice to be part of an ever-increasing bubble of happiness. I'm a great believer in starting such bubbles. It started innocently enough...I saw a woman who was wearing a dress that looked particularly stunning, it made her look fabulous - so I told her. She seemed so happy and walked away with a huge smile on her face. Now, I never hesitate to give a compliment when I think something is terrific.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
The first is very similar to the items in question. I think the slab was flat and the stone smooth, but I'd have to go back and have a look -- I was afraid getting too close might be life threatening.
The second is what I thought was a metate. Hmm.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Metate, molcajete, and tejolote all seem to come from the Aztec. Mano is, of course, Spanish.
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