When you go from being the outsiders or the new folks to learning about the community, you will encounter upsetting events and sad stories.
A friend paid a visit the other day. We gave her some apples left over from the adventure of cider making as we were chatting along.
The apples, white fleshed, very tasty, from an heirloom variety not found in stores, prompted her to tell about a recent encounter down the street.
There is this former farm, with a good sized orchard of apple trees and plum trees.
The other day, as she walked past, she saw that the owners had no apparent use for the fruit.
Apples and plums formed a thick cover on the ground, rotting away.
The owner was right there on he other side of the fence, taking firewood for the house from one of the hallmark large stacks of firewood many detached houses in our region sport along a wall or under a tarp.
As she told it, she asked the man if she could pick up a couple of pounds each for cakes.
He refused.
Maybe we will never find out if the two, both long term residents here, have a history. But, these days, her food budget for two people is around 200 dollars a month.
Or if the man is not of a friendly nature, or simply had a bad day.
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