#SongoftheDay Watermelon Man (Herbie Hancock)
I've been meaning to tell you this story for months. I promised to tell it to you weeks ago. So here we are, finally: the watermelon story.
So, I'd just finished shopping at the little grocery store near my building. I was using a walker that day. I can wedge the shopping basket between the metal bars on either side while I shop, then pile my bags on the seat to get them home. That works unless I'm carrying anything really heavy. One time my partner tried using my walker to bring home three cases (36 cans) of Ensure, and he ended up slicing open his finger. Blood everywhere.
But that's not the watermelon story.
I interrupted myself.
Let's start again.
So, I'd just finished my shopping and I was coming out of the little grocery store with my bags piled up on my walker when I noticed that there was an older woman trying to fish a watermelon out of one of those huge cardboard containers they keep watermelon in outside the store. With zero luck.
She, like me, was using a mobility aid--hers was a motorized scooter. And all these young people not using mobility aids were coming and going, into and out of the store. And nobody asked her if she could use a hand.
Well, I did, obviously, because I always ask everyone if I can help them with whatever they're doing. Because I'm stupid and I forget that I'm disabled and too weak to lift things like giant watermelons (one day I'll tell you the story about the frozen turkey, but it's basically this story all over again).
The thing I found really funny was that when I asked this woman if I could help her, her response was, "I don't know. Can you?"
On paper, that looks like it might have been a snarky comment, but it wasn't said that way. Not at all. It was said with concern, because she could see that I was using a walker to get around.
Even given that out, I assured her that I'd be fine, OF COURSE I could lift a watermelon.
Hey, guess what? I can't lift a watermelon.
No, that's not true. I did manage to eventually roll one of the watermelons up the side of the carton and drop it into the bag she had with her, but it took some doing. Many, many attempts. Many, many, many attempts.
I am incredibly weak, my friends.
But, you know, in all that time, not one of the many people coming and going around us asked if they could help. It was just one disabled person helping another disabled person fish for a watermelon.
My partner wasn't with me on this particular occasion, but he was there for the turkey thing, and after that event I asked him, "Why is it always the disabled helping the disabled?"
Maybe I'll answer that question (with my theory on the matter) when I tell you the story about the frozen turkey I also couldn't lift.
If you're wondering how you can support me in bringing you songs and anecdotes, the easiest thing you can do is buy my books (most are for adults only!) or check them out from your local library.
So, I'd just finished shopping at the little grocery store near my building. I was using a walker that day. I can wedge the shopping basket between the metal bars on either side while I shop, then pile my bags on the seat to get them home. That works unless I'm carrying anything really heavy. One time my partner tried using my walker to bring home three cases (36 cans) of Ensure, and he ended up slicing open his finger. Blood everywhere.
But that's not the watermelon story.
I interrupted myself.
Let's start again.
So, I'd just finished my shopping and I was coming out of the little grocery store with my bags piled up on my walker when I noticed that there was an older woman trying to fish a watermelon out of one of those huge cardboard containers they keep watermelon in outside the store. With zero luck.
She, like me, was using a mobility aid--hers was a motorized scooter. And all these young people not using mobility aids were coming and going, into and out of the store. And nobody asked her if she could use a hand.
Well, I did, obviously, because I always ask everyone if I can help them with whatever they're doing. Because I'm stupid and I forget that I'm disabled and too weak to lift things like giant watermelons (one day I'll tell you the story about the frozen turkey, but it's basically this story all over again).
The thing I found really funny was that when I asked this woman if I could help her, her response was, "I don't know. Can you?"
On paper, that looks like it might have been a snarky comment, but it wasn't said that way. Not at all. It was said with concern, because she could see that I was using a walker to get around.
Even given that out, I assured her that I'd be fine, OF COURSE I could lift a watermelon.
Hey, guess what? I can't lift a watermelon.
No, that's not true. I did manage to eventually roll one of the watermelons up the side of the carton and drop it into the bag she had with her, but it took some doing. Many, many attempts. Many, many, many attempts.
I am incredibly weak, my friends.
But, you know, in all that time, not one of the many people coming and going around us asked if they could help. It was just one disabled person helping another disabled person fish for a watermelon.
My partner wasn't with me on this particular occasion, but he was there for the turkey thing, and after that event I asked him, "Why is it always the disabled helping the disabled?"
Maybe I'll answer that question (with my theory on the matter) when I tell you the story about the frozen turkey I also couldn't lift.
If you're wondering how you can support me in bringing you songs and anecdotes, the easiest thing you can do is buy my books (most are for adults only!) or check them out from your local library.
Supporting my AudioErotica endeavour on Patreon would also help me hugely.
I'm also an Amazon Influencer, so hopefully I can make a little pocket change when you buy stuff by clicking through my affiliate links.
I also recommend subscribing to my newsletter. I generally e-mail subscribers with a weekly update, and I would LOVE to have you on the list.
Click here to sign up: http://eepurl.com/R4b11
See you soon!
Giselle
