IN A LIBRARY GARDEN

   Good morning dear reader and welcome to a very sunny and windy morning in North Yorkshire. Autumn is well and truly here and oh boy, we have had our share of rain. I was staring out of the window watching it hurling down yesterday, the large raindrops bouncing heavily into our pond. I couldn't help but smile to myself thinking of how our fish were probably loving it. I know that sounds a bit strange, but possibly a lot of pondfish find water bouncing all around them fairly entertaining. Our fish are fortunate in that they are in a very large pond with plenty of plants both underwater and on the surface to negotiate, so I hope that keeps life interesting for them. I can imagine life getting a bit dull for fish in a small pond. Life must be rather dull when swimming around the same small space every day. I'm not too sure about fishy psychology but I do know that when we switch the fountain on, our fish absolutely love it - especially when the fountain head is removed so that the water can flow fast and free. It's a brilliant watch. They treat it rather like a water slide and love to swim close in to the fast flowing water only to get hurled away by it at speed - and then come back for more!  So I'm guessing that heavy rain might be fun for them too - a bit like trampolining for fish, as they get tossed and bounced around in the water.

   We picked a sunny morning earlier in the week to do our stint at our local library garden. We are still cutting back the shrubs, many of which have become rather shaggy after their summer growth. This particular morning Spouse and I were working in the border at the front of the building which faces directly on to the supermarket car park. It's just as well there is a post and rail fence between us and the cars, or I wouldn't fancy our chances with some of the more erratic drivers. But that is by the by. This part of the garden only needs attention in Spring and Autumn as the shrubs are planted into a thick liner and the ground is covered in gravel, so thankfully very little weeding is required. So ... not being in this vicinity very often we don't get to see and hear the supermarket customers coming and going about their business. But when we do, it is fascinating. All the overheard snatches of conversations ... I pause with secateurs in hand and wonder what came before and what was coming next!

   'Well, it's the cat, really. That's why I'm being a bit cautious.'  Was it a rescue cat? Cautious with the cat? Cautious about leaving the cat/letting friends in to see the cat? A feral wildcat?  Mmn, I'd like to know.

   'He's decided he's not going anyway. I think she's going to have to go on her own.' Two friends chatting as they walked past me.  I wonder why "he"  doesn't want to go?  I hope it's not on holiday or to a wedding or a party. And will she go without him? Have they fallen out of friends with eachother?  I hope he changes his mind. Or maybe she'll be glad to go on her own ...

   'I fancy a bit of fish for tea ... But then again, he's not so fussed on it. Maybe I should get him a meat pie.' I was just mentally fancying the fish when her friend said, 'Give him the fish. Oily fish ... it's meant to be so good for you' 'No,' said the lady decisively. 'I'll get him a pie. I give him them Omega 3 capsules every day. He doesn't know, 'cos he doesn't like taking pills, so I put them in food. What he doesn't know ...'  And away they went and I couldn't catch any more. Fancy that. How on earth do you disguise Omega 3 in food? Maybe his taste buds are not as clever as they used to be!

   'Yes, it were a right going on. She stood him up at the altar. Can you imagaine that? Aye, our Paul were very upset at the time, but I don't know know so much now. I haven't said it to him, direct like, but I think he had a lucky escape ... she were no better than she should be and that wasn't much to start with. But what could I say? It were his choice ... I couldn't really say she were a bit of a lass, now could I? Been around the block a few times I would say.' The elderly gentleman's companion tutted and shook her head sympathetically. 'Any road up, he's got a right nice lass now, even if she is a wrestler.'  Oh, come back! I wanted to shout.  Don't leave it there. A lady wrestler - how intriguing is that. 

   'When I got borned, Mummy, Daddy said I came out of your tummy.'  Mmm, this is a good one, thinks I and I turned around to see what would happen next.  A young Mother was leading her small son along the edge of the car park. 'Yes,' she replied cautiously. 'How did I get in there, Mummy?' Daddy said I was a seed. Was I a seed, Mummy? Did you eat seeds and then I grew in your tummy?'  Smart boy this, thinks I; making connections. Maybe not the right ones but he's having a go. How is poor Mummy going to deal with this one, early on a Tuesday morning? 'Yes, Georgie, you were a little seed. Now, come along, we need to go and buy a cake to take to Grandma. Let's go and choose something nice.'  Ha ha, clever Mummy, great distraction technique. Let's hope little Georgie leaves that subject alone for a little while and doesn't bring it up again at Grandma's!

   'I think he thought he was Superman. He might have done a better job if he'd had tights on and knickers outside of 'em. Well, the whole bloody wall came down on him didn't it. Bet he doesn't wear that T shirt again for a while.' Oh my, dear reader, I was right there in the scene and felt a twinge of sympathy for poor Superman and his failed efforts. The two elderly ladies went on their way, cackling with laughter at some poor man's plight.

   But, of course, I shouldn't have been eavesdropping in the first place, so I could hardly chase after them all for the follow up story. However, come Springtime, I might be loitering with intent in the front garden for a little while again. It's great fun, almost as good as the conversations to be listened to in cafés and on buses, only in the garden I just get snippets.

   I hope you have a good week, dear reader and all will stay well in your world. Pity we'll be round the back of the library garden next week. There's only a few cross seagulls to listen to there. I may just have to talk to myself!