When I sat down for breakfast last week there was a brass candlestick on the table. It was there to help my wife remember to bring it to the city for our adult daughter’s Clue party. Visual cueing, I thought, good idea. So, I went to the basement and grabbed a can of house paint with the “color recipe” on the lid and put it on the counter so I would remember to bring it to the hardware store so they could mix another gallon. I also needed a new blade for my scraper so I put my old scraper on the passenger seat of the car. I also needed a new funnel for pouring oil in the chainsaw, but the broken funnel was too oily to put in the car. So, I decided to also make a list.
When I arrived at Roosters, Jean – the manager – was out sunning herself and talking with the business owners next door. I offered to self-serve but she came in anyway. As soon as she walked in, I realized I had forgotten the paint can on the kitchen counter. Which I explained. Did they have the recipe on record? She checked, but they did not. Oh well, I’d have to come back. She showed me the funnel options (in two different places) and I had to think about it.
Then she told me what she was discussing with the neighbors. This week, an elderly woman came in asking for adding-machine tape. She came back the next day asking for a prescription drug. The next day she came in, walked the aisles and left without speaking. The next day she pulled up in front of the store, sat in the car for 30 minutes and then drove away. Jean didn’t know her personally, but she did know who her children were. So… should she contact the kids and let them know what’s happening? I said yes. I would want to know if it was my mother acting erratically. That’s what her neighbors said, and she agreed.
I went to the back of the store for birdseed and caulk and mousetraps and paid for them at the counter. Then I remembered – I had a list! Good thing I checked it. I had forgotten about the funnel. And the blade for the scraper, which was still in the car. As I started to go to the car for the scraper (to make sure I got the right blade) she suggested I carry the birdseed to save a trip. That was a good idea. But when I walked back into the store, I realized I had forgotten the scraper. Fortunately, she was busy and didn’t notice (or pretended not to notice) and I was able to go back to the car without explanation.
She admired the scraper’s wooden handle. “They don’t make them like that anymore,” she said, “they’re all plastic now.” She rang me up. She said she also makes lists and sometimes forgets them. Even when they are taped to the door. The limits of visual cueing! I paid and headed out with my stuff. “Hey,” she stopped me, “you forgot your scraper!” That made us both laugh and we remembered the time she had to chase me down the street after I forgot some lightbulbs on the counter. But then I got serious. “Whatever you do,” I said, “don’t tell my daughter!”
Robert Lyons is a theatre artist in Pine Plains who just finished directing the Evergreen Cemetery Lantern Tour and painting his house.
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Throughout the year, the Herald has featured many stories about people’s experiences living in Pine Plains as part of our town Bicentennial coverage. We anticipate continuing this series beyond the Bicentennial year and we invite you to send us your tale. We welcome stories from Ancram, Gallatin, Stanford and Milan as well. Send your story to: editor@newpineplainsherald@gmail.com. Thanks!