We were sitting in the garden savouring the
brilliant sunshine of the first official day of summer. Well, actually, only one-third of us was
sitting; I was working in the garden and the dog was sprawled out enjoying a
sunbath. The cardinals had been keeping
us almost constant company so I suspected that their supply of Stoned Wheat
thins (low sodium variety in respect of their cardio-health) would need replenishing. AND Harry was restless. So I suggested he go into the kitchen and
bring out a cracker.
L:
Harry, why don’t you go into the kitchen and bring out a Stoned Wheat
thin for the birds?
H:
What?
L:
(same as above only louder)
H:
Well, OK but I don’t think I know where they are.
L:
In the cracker cupboard.
H:
Where’s that?
L:
You know; where we keep the crackers!
H:
No, I don’t think I do.
L:
Well, get up and walk into the kitchen and I’ll guide you.
H:
What?
L:
(same as above only louder)
H:
Do I have to?
L:
(Loudly) I can hear the cardinals getting ready to come back for more
food and I think it would be nice if we had lots of it out for them.
H:
Well, OK.
He
walks slowly into the kitchen.
L:
Now stand at the counter in front of the cutlery tray.
He
walks slowly back to the door.
H: I
couldn’t hear what you said.
L:
(More loudly this time.) Go to
the cutlery drawer. The cracker cupboard
is beside it.
H:
(Triumphantly). OK. I’ve got it.
He
holds up a package of paprika from the spice drawer beside the stove.
L:
You can put that back now. Walk
to the drawer where you can find me a spoon.
H:
OK.
L:
Now open the cupboard to the RIGHT of the spoon drawer.
He
does so and looks inside.
H:
You want me to get a cracker?
L:
Yes. And bring it outside.
I
finally remembered that I can’t give him too many commands in a row – well,
actually, no more than ONE command at a time.
He comes slowly out to the deck, cracker in hand and sits back down.
I go
back to my gardening (well, actually I had accomplished no gardening during the
above exchanges) for a few more minutes then come up to the deck. I’m tired of trying to give him orders that he
can’t hear and not sure he will be able or willing to break the cracker into
bird-bite-sized pieces.
L:
Where’s the cracker?
H:
What cracker?
L:
The one you went to get for the birds.
H: I
don’t know. I guess I ate it.
Posts
