Lovely Friendships 33

Lovely Friendships 33

Melina needed to go to the market again in Raches To buy ‘anama’ the traditional Ikarian honey. It is known as the best in Greece. Produced by a bush named reiki (‘heather’) and had a thick texture, as opposed to all other honeys.

She asked Agatha if she would like to ride along with her. She told her often there would be little local fruit and vegetable stands in front of many homes.

“Our garden is small for three people. I work in it every day maybe we can find some plants that people thin out then toss to compost. Some people will sell cheap or give away for the taking.” said Agatha excitedly.

They took a small shovel, pruners and extra buckets along with a few sturdy boxes. Off the two went in the big truck with the running board and hand pull. This would be easier for Agatha to enter the truck by herself.

Entering Raches Melina went directly to the Beekeeper. He was just going up the hill to his bees. Melina waved and called:

” Stathis do you have some honey to sell?”

“Melina, Hello you just caught me in time. I was going up to the hives. Oh you have a beautiful lady with you.”

Melina introduced Agatha as her closest neighbor. He bent down and lifted Agatha’s hand to his lips saying :

“Welcome to my bee farm dear lady Agatha.”

He asked Melina how much honey she needed and she said she would take a five gallon bucket. He lifted it into the truck and secured it with rope.

“I brought back the other two gallon jugs for you in case you needed them.”

“My wife sterilizes them and I use them over.” Stathis reached down and shooed the chicken away.

“She is such a pain, aren’t you Buggy Boo. My wife wants to wring her neck and put her in the cooking pot but I can’t deal with that. Buggy Boo still lays eggs and takes care of the six orphaned peeps. I tried to give them away but no one wanted peeps without their mother. I even have the fencing to keep them safe until they grow up.” said Stathis.

By now Agatha was over fussing over Buggy Boo and the six peeps. Melina told Stathis the story of how she bought the property and Agatha came with it as long as she wanted.

“Hah! I think I found a new owner for Buggy Boo and the peeps. What do you think?” said Stathis jovially.

“Why not ask her. Right now she is tending my small spare garden. I brought her with me to see if there are any fruit and vegetable stands that might have some starts for her.”

Stathis asked Agatha if she might like to rescue Buggy Boo and the peeps by taking them home with her. He also had some vegetable thinning to do in his garden. He had a few kaisia (cesium), a type of apricot tree starts his wife had told him to give away.

Agatha’s smile grew wide revealing a mouth full of beautiful straight teeth. “Oh. Yes, I will take Buggy Boo and the peeps and all the starts and trees.”

Stathis’s wife, Hermione came out doors to meet Agatha. The three ladies went to the garden and thinned some of the carrots, onions, beets and garlic. She also had a pot of leeks to give to Agatha.

“Here are three pots of tomatoes. I planted too many and will be happy to share.” said Hermione.

They went back to the truck and Buggy Boo and the peeps were safely secured in a cage with some weeds to peck on. The fencing was rolled up and in the truck.

Hermione asked Melina if she knew anyone that could use some fabric remnants and yarn. Melina told her about the people she knew in Ikaria. They made clothes for the orphanage and knitted socks for the children. Another three boxes were piled onto the truck.

“Well I don’t think we will be stopping at any of the fruit stands on the way home. Agatha wanted to get fruit and vegetables and I wanted to get some jam for Cicero. I have not had the time to make him jam since we moved here.” said Melina.

Hermione told them to wait until she called down the road to see if Petra was selling her jams. After the call she came back and told Melina that Petra still had Blueberry,Apricot and Fig Jam. Lavender Jelly and Lemon Marmalade for sale.

“Her jams are wonderful. She will charge you for the jars and rings but if you bring them back she will give you the money back. It is hard for her to get the jars out here so that’s a deal. I make my own jam but hers are made in heaven and your Cicero will love the taste.” replied Hermione.

Melina thanked her and on the way home bought five jars of sweets from Petra.

When they arrived home Cicero, Kosmas and Moraitis were there to unload the truck and set up the fence.

©Julia A Knaake