door-to-door popsicle saleman
When I was a kid I used to love Italian Ice. I don't know how Italian it really is, but it was the midwest's version of gelato, and came in two flavors, strawberry and lemon-lime. The lemon-lime was the best.
I walked into the grocery store near my house one day and found these lime popsicles that taste exactly like the Italian Ice I used to eat as a kid. My god they are good.
As I was preparing to go to work, leisurely strolling around in front of my door, I saw my neighbor lounging around on her couch watching a movie and thought perhaps she would like one of the best popsicles in the world.
I knocked on her door, "Do you want a popsicle?"
She did look a little puzzled, "I uhh, I just brushed my teeth."
"Oh." I said, lamely, and then trying to explain, "I was just walking by, thinking how good my popsicle was, and I thought maybe you'd want one."
"Okay, I guess I will have one then."
"Let me go get one."
I ran into my apartment to get her a popsicle. I returned with it and she took a tentative lick.
"Oh wow. It is good," she looked at the popsicle for a moment and then asked me, "Do you want me to give you some money?"
In retrospect I should have said straight-faced, "Yes. It will be twenty-three dollars." But, shocked and mildly insulted I could only sputter out, "No!"
Comments
It's too bad "random acts of kindness" are looked upon with such skepticism .... isn't it?
Posted by: Lynn | July 7, 2002 6:03 AM
Maybe it's because I'm fast developing an ice cream addiction, but if it were me I'd say "Hell yeah." What a nice thing to do. :)
Posted by: gina | July 7, 2002 1:55 PM
you are cute. hehe.
Posted by: shauny | July 7, 2002 4:27 PM
Last week I made cherry-lemon ice with the cherries from the tree in the back yard. It is very yummy. I wish you were here to taste it.
Posted by: Karen | July 7, 2002 8:35 PM
Granita...it's very italian.
Sheesh man.
Posted by: Little Joe | July 8, 2002 12:16 AM
Wow, cherry-lemon ice with real cherries! That sounds so yummy. Sam would just love it.
His six year old friend Rowan made cranberry ice-cubesicles the other day just from juice but they were a big hit on a sunny day.
I think your neighbors offer of money was just reflexive politeness-in this culture things aren't often offered for free and so it can make people a little awkward. It was a good impulse to follow, yo. I love it when people just freely give, purely out of the joy of sharing something good-it's one of those little things that makes life so much more worth plodding thru. Like a big smile from a complete stranger. Or a good joke from a checker after a long wait in line.
Keep up the good play!
Posted by: rzan | July 8, 2002 12:04 PM
That is good to know about Sam. There is something about making treats for a kid that just makes life a little better.
Posted by: Karen | July 8, 2002 12:23 PM
*lol* Now that's funny:)
Posted by: Daphne | July 9, 2002 1:47 PM
I had chocolate gelato once. When drips of it began melting off the cone, I noticed that they were almost clear. "Gelato is mostly water?" I cried out. So after that I never had another one. It's like skim milk, only worse.
I am tired.
Posted by: saigonsam | July 9, 2002 5:13 PM