Friday Fictioneers

Keith's Ramblings

 

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She loved her gardening boots. Had them for years. ‘I don’t need new ones’ she’d say. ‘I just patch them up to keep them going’.

She even gave them names! Jim and Jan. She’d talk to them, consult them on what to plant here, what to dig up there.

She recently went to the glorious garden in the sky. We were clearing her cottage. The boots were sitting on a wall. I’d swear they were watching us.

We couldn’t throw them out. Instead, we planted geraniums in them. Apparently, they were her favourite flowers. We didn’t know that. Something must have told us.  

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dadsshoes.jpgFriday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle. Thank you.

106 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers”

  1. Varad May 16, 2018 / 11:13

    Would have fitted right in your Rosey series, Keith. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Iain Kelly May 16, 2018 / 12:08

    A lovely centrepiece to the garden, and a literal talking point it seems.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. granonine May 16, 2018 / 12:48

    The old lady is a wonderful character. And I loved planting geraniums in the boots 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. rochellewisoff May 16, 2018 / 13:04

    Dear Keith,

    What a sweet tribute to the old lady and her boots. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Denise Hammond May 16, 2018 / 13:27

    I’ve thrown out many pairs of boots over the years and really need to get rid of an old leaky pair of Wellintons. My boys would never think of planting flowers in them, 😁

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Keith's Ramblings May 16, 2018 / 17:52

      There’s a story to be found in everything I always feel. Thanks Christine

      Like

      Reply
  10. Anita May 16, 2018 / 15:48

    Touching tale. Boots put to good use.
    I have seen people employing such old shoes for plantation purpose.
    The Geraniums must look lovely and she’ll love to see them from her garden in the sky…

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. pennygadd51 May 16, 2018 / 17:17

    I love the gentle humour of this story. The lady was obviously from the ‘Make do and mend’ generation.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  13. Rowena May 16, 2018 / 17:39

    Great story, Keith and quite a launching pad for philosophical insights as well. There are pople with those favourite pair or shoes, jeans, tshirts where they keep wearing them well past their use-by-dates. Sometimes, it’s a matter of finding something that suits you so well, that nothing could ever come close enough to replace it, but then there’s also the economical side of things and people mending to make ends meet.
    Well done.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings May 16, 2018 / 18:18

      I am with you on every count, even if n old t-shirt just becomes a dishcloth! I could learn a lot from my own story! Thanks, Rowena.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Rowena May 17, 2018 / 08:40

        Me too, Keith. Never thought of re-using an old t-shirt like that, although we used to do that sort of thing. Need to shift the brain back into gear.
        Best wishes,
        Rowena

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Lynn Love May 16, 2018 / 18:05

    A fitting tribute to a green fingered lady – you can imagine her smiling as her boots were used as flower pots! Nice tale Keith

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. Mike May 16, 2018 / 19:50

    Great use for the boots and a great story to boot.

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. draliman May 17, 2018 / 08:12

    I’m glad they put the boots to good use. She would have approved!

    Liked by 1 person

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  21. shivamt25 May 17, 2018 / 15:38

    So sweet! People sometimes get so attached to things that even after they are gone, those things act as their reminders.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  24. gahlearner May 17, 2018 / 16:39

    I love the telepathic boots, the geraniums, the old lady. It’s a lovely story.

    Like

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  28. James McEwan May 18, 2018 / 12:11

    This was nice, a sort of remembrance for a lovely person.

    Like

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  29. liz young May 18, 2018 / 13:06

    Lovely story, Keith – and you’ve made that photo sparkle!

    Like

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  30. Nan Mykel May 18, 2018 / 14:35

    Jim and Jan! The personification is touching!

    Like

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  31. Russell Gayer May 18, 2018 / 15:11

    I’m glad they got repurposed as planters. I think she would have liked that.

    Like

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  34. Alicia Jamtaas May 18, 2018 / 17:52

    Goodness, this is charming and sad and . . . one of your best stories. It made me smile.

    Like

    Reply
  35. Dale May 18, 2018 / 21:09

    What a beautiful story, Keith. Right up my alley…

    Like

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  36. subroto May 19, 2018 / 04:18

    Lovely story. That’s life for you.

    Like

    Reply
  38. Ms W May 19, 2018 / 12:46

    What a wonderful symbol of a continued connection!

    Like

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  42. athling2001 May 20, 2018 / 12:47

    I’ve heard of naming your car or boat or plant… but boots? Then again, it makes sense in the context of the story. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  43. Woman walking Max May 20, 2018 / 13:51

    A well crafted tale, Keith. I found it tender and imaginable – sure the boot ‘planters’ looked just right.

    Like

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings May 21, 2018 / 13:12

      Geraniums are good hardy plants and they’ll be there for years. Bootiful indeed!

      Like

      Reply
  48. Sarah Ann May 21, 2018 / 13:38

    Jim and Jan deserve to stay in the garden until they rot into compost. Lovely.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  49. bludotsage May 21, 2018 / 22:50

    Very nice! I like the nicknames and I like the spirituality within this fic. It makes passing more bearable, even hopeful I’d say.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  50. MythRider May 22, 2018 / 00:26

    I know Jim and Jan. They are gardeners, but I’m not sure what their favorite flower is. Jan is a great person to consult on gardening.
    Fun story. Phyllis

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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