Adventurous Spirit 18

Adventurous Spirit 18

Take great care of the treasures put in your charge here on earth. They can be gone in a heartbeat

Early the next day Ari, Maria and Nick were busy picking up a washing machine and possible dryer to install in the downstairs apartment. The downstairs mud room as they called it was a place to hang their dusty outer shirts and racks for boots. Also pegs to hang other clothing items.

Essie and Omega were over at the Taverna helping out. Rasmussen and Sophie were told to keep the two ladies busy all day.

Zeus was out fishing so no one was at the house. The laundry room would be in the back of the downstairs for both families to use.

Maria came along to pick out items like clothes pins and laundry baskets for the out door clothes lines. Two would be installed. A T-post style with two lines for blankets or sheets and a round one for small items. It would be set so Omega could reach.

Maria also picked out a folding drying rack for Essie to use upstairs.

After purchase the men brought the items back to the downstairs designated area.

Rasmussen and his friends were informed and they came over to install the machines. Ari had kept the plumbing and hook up area from the houses previous laundry so all was set in and it was ready to be used.

The man who built the outdoor wood oven came by to look at the stove and to bring herb cuttings in small pots for Essie and Omega to plant. He liked the apartment upstairs and the downstairs arrangements.

Soon Rasmussen let Sophia know it was time to close the Taverna and ask Essie to bring them home for the surprise.

The extra foods that could not be saved to sell the next day were packed and brought home also.

What luck the wood oven builder was there to take some of the extra foods to give away in his town. His mother would be very happy to see that because she and the other ladies of the village had a regular list of people that could use extra food.

Essie and Omega were thrilled at the sight of the new laundry room and the two clotheslines. They also planned on placing the herbs in the new garden spot where they would sit in a permanent location.

Soon Zeus came home with too many fish so some of the extras were packed in ice to be sent with the other foods.

Essie said to Ari:

“If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life.” – Anonymous

His heart did those flip flop little things again like when he first met Essie. He felt satisfied and happy.

Essie gave him a hug that made him feel sweaty.

                                                           While Essie lived at Maria and Ari's she helped go through unused clothes and of the gently used ones they were put into piles according to age and gender.

Some Maria was going to just toss out but both Mrs  Papadopoulos and Ari disagreed.

“Maria our parents pretty much gave us what we needed and sometimes waned but do not forget there are many people out there that have nothing to wear, little to eat and often no or a poor place to call home. Remember Papa and Mama said to never waste.”

“Ari as always you are so correct. I see that in our new friend Essie. She was destitute and dumped by her cousins on a cold rainy night. We all rallied together and cared for her. She has also taught us well.”

“Indeed she has.”Ari agreed. “I saw her the other day down at the picnic table gathering unused bread that was getting stale. I asked her why and she said she and Omega were going to make bread crumbs to fry the fish Zeus had caught. They had a pile of fresh herbs that had been cut to add for flavoring.”

“Ah, we have been invited over to a fish fry. That will be good. By the way I wanted you to take me over to talk to Nick about getting a used freezer. There is room in the room adjoining the  mud room. Sonia said often there is leftover food that can not be re-sold the next day but can be used for any of them or given away. Essie has been collecting jars to preserve foods and make spoon sweets to consume and and share. She has some lines up in the library with a few herbs drying. I think she needs a little extra freezer upstairs also. Ari smiled.

© Julia A Knaake