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Don't know if you've ever seen these -- they're called Mexican Bird of Paradise. I'd never encountered them until I came here, to Tucson. They're indigenous. They just come up everywhere. And if you cut them back during the winter, they grow even bigger and more beautiful. You don't have to feed them. You don't even have to water them.
The garden has been a comfort, these past few days. The garden, and Bao. Things I can rely on, life forms I can trust. Not like people.
No good deed goes unpunished -- an Australian friend of mine likes to say that.
Someone I trusted -- a young woman for whom I've done quite a lot -- used my credit card number without my permission while I was away this summer. That was bad enough. But when I found out, she abused me. I expected an apology (or at least, an explanation) and what I got was an outburst of rage and hatred that left me wobbly. It isn't the money. I got most of it back. It's her attitude that blew me away.
Of course, friends have been quick to gather round and tell me they could see it coming, that it's my own fault for being a gullible old woman and I'm lucky it wasn't worse. I dunno. I thought I was helping someone get her life together. Instead, she was helping herself.
Next time I'm feeling generous, I'll give money to a charity. An animal charity. Or maybe, a botanical garden.

posted by Gail Graham at 3:51 PM Dogwalkmusings said...

Or both! How awful for you. Just as you get to the point you have a little faith in people someone comes along and blows it.

On the bright side, however, remember the guy in Seattle who found your tote and waited for you to come looking for it - and called every number on your cell trying to track you down.

Perhaps it evens it out just a bit.
 
It is bad enough that you were taken advantage of, but, your so-called friends were awfully mean, it seems to me. What happened to you wasn't your fault, and if your friends "could see it coming", why didn't they try to warn you?
 
Hi Gail!

Just thought I stop by and see what you and Bao have been up to lately! Sorry to read about this mishap. Anyway, if you'd like to get together sometime w/ Cindy, Maximilian and me sometime, give me a ring or shoot me an email!




 Name: Gail Graham

