It was going well,
A new job about to start…
And in came the dog.
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I would love to know the name of the company where "that puppy is still listed as an employee on the company’s website."
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Really loved all of the stories in this week's MD. I especially liked the fruit seller story, and commiserated with the temp worker who hoped for a perm position. I have been in the letter writer's shoes!
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Ahhhh. The poem Lime Rickey brought back my days on the boardwalk at the Jersy Shore. Sweet salty memories. Thanks!
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Real people. Real people being kind. The ending I need to this day.
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I subscribe to the Times for the news but MD really is one of the highlights of my week. Short, engaging stories that give you the opportunity to think about the small things we value most in life.
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A marvelous entry from Paula Bohince, who I discover is a published poet whose name I hadn't encountered before. I certainly intend to read more. "Serious in underpants." Hah!
And more and more. Ms. Bohince can sure turn a metaphor, can't she?
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Those stories about the big staged marriage proposals always make me wonder: What happens when she says no?
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@JeezLouise
If they say no then the divorce option is removed from the equation is all that comes to my mind. So many marriages end in a divorce that I wonder why people even bother.
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@Kevin Phillips Because I am one of two people in a marriage that has lasted 30 years. And my wife is still very beautiful. And she's pretty too.
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@JeezLouise
Someone just sent me this article and I realized that’s it’s of my engagement! I said yes!!;) and we are getting married in 12 days!!!
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Good stories!!
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As a photographer who spends time photographing office workers, I’ve always told subjects that there was “job security” as a bonus for being photographed.
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@Me Hill But, that's patently untrue, and not a photographers message to communicate.
So many employees don't understand their relationship with their employer. And this is not helpful.
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FWIW, if they believed that I was authorized to guarantee their position then they don’t deserve it!
My interaction with the photo subject is more about putting them at ease for the time we work together.
Have a nice day!
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David, you will be much happier if you find a different recurring feature column to read in this paper. Trust me. This is just not for you. Best wishes.
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A huge thank you to Ms. Benton. I read the wonderful little vignette and said to myself, "Why I love New York."
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Really lovely read this week. Like most everyone else, I am touched by the TV story and the fruit vendor story. I don’t live there, but I adore NYC!
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I find myself on the verge of tears after reading Erin Bradley's lovely story. The message that the salesman wrote to himself speaks to all of us, and I, too, hope he has moved on to great success and happiness in these ensuing years.
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@mc, Yes, me too! The salesman is someone we all know or we've all been at one time. I hope he sees Erin's story.
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That story got me as well.
I hope that guy got everything he was looking for out of life.
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@Susan @Night Owl
I, too, was hoping that he saw it, and all of our comments as well.
I wonder if there's ever been an MD story where the subject of the story recognizes his/herself as the protagonist! @NYT, maybe that could be a special MD column?
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A couple good stories today — the fruit seller and the tv salesman. Human decency in the former and a moment of poignancy in the latter. Sweet.
Did not like the proposal story as much. I know this makes me sound like a horrible curmudgeon, but I am so, so tired of the “man getting down on one knee to propose to a woman” thing. Especially when it’s staged for Instagram. Beyond that taint of social-media attention seeking, it’s the woman as princess trope that bothers me. Women should decide who they marry and when. I’m happy to see a woman proposing “cute” to a man (or a woman). But not down on one knee. Equality from the get-go, I say.
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@Passion for Peaches
Our eldest daughter took her boyfriend on a 12 hour hike, 7 hours to the top of the mountain where she proposed knowing it could be a very sad quiet long trek back down. My wife and I were waiting at a campground nearby ALL DAY for the result. We all enjoyed late night Cava, Spanish champagne by the bonfire.
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The TV salesman story made me cry.
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I loved the TV shopping story. It was very touching. I hope your salesperson is still believing in himself and that he found what he was looking for to make him happy and fulfilled.
Thanks for sharing, Erin.
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Oh yes, we have all taken our turn helping the fruit stand vendor. Part of what makes us a unity in this complicated city.
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"Nice working with you." Sums it up.
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I thought this was a banner day for the MD. I love the improv teamwork at the fruit cart. And I was touched by the TV buying story. But an unwelcome and cynical thought popped in my head: was the dingy store TV salesman in the habit of leaving the notebook out intentionally, to help with sales? Nah, I don"t think so.
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@Sara Life in the time of the Reagan Restoration, Trump edition. But to quote an acquaintance working in climate change activism, "Cynicism is capitulation." So, good non-capitulation.
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@Sara
I do agree with Sara that this has been a banner day for the Metropolitan Diary. All the entries seemed summer-themed and perfect for a glowing day that really must mark the end of summer for us in nyc. Fall will be arriving soon, and it's time to get down to business, World business. The UN convenes here this week, determined to take up the world-wide issue of frightening climate change, only it seems our reps won't be participating in this. Sigh.
So I fear the price of grapes is going to become very, very costly soon with our new policies to revamp water and air pollution. Our grapes will not be nearly so sweet when grown in soil irrigated with heavy pesticides and industrial run-offs.
But Ms. Benton's charming vignette does take us back to a time when life seemed so much simpler, problems less complicated. Just as in Dean's southern CT, on the eastern end of Long Island, makeshift roadside stands still thankfully appear, their bushels overflowing with sweet corn, cartons of luscious blackberries and blueberries, and oh those delicious pies. Simple things of life can truly make us so happy.
Best wishes to all,
Elissa
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@Sara - After weeks with over 100 comments, I’m guessing the slow comments this week reflect this feel-good week, after one off the stories being very controversial last week.
Tune of “At 17”
The comments stopped at 17
The slowest count I’ve ever seen
It’s Monday at 5:24,
The lowest, but who’s keeping score.
Last week, we had a hundred-plus
With controversy to discuss.
This week, the stories are serene
Despite already missing Dean.
Remember there’s both bad and good
In every New York neighborhood.
We say much more when we’re upset
So that’s what happy feelings get
When we don’t vent our spleen
Just 17.
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My favorite sweet Sunday brunch: Metropolitan Diary.
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All the stories are very interesting to read. Some stories have brought huge smile too.
Photo Op : The writer is somewhat disappointed but agreed that last photo was worth indeed. Felt very nice to read it. I appreciate the way he has put it.
Lime Rickey : Loved Reading the poem. Hearty Congratulations to the writer.
TV Shopping : Very glad that the couple have had enjoyable marital life of 8 years and that they have understanding nature inspite of difference of opinion, which is very essential in marital life failing which it breaks down in no time since very few couples have the patience to appreciate the significance of marriage.
Marriage is nothing but compromise since it consists of two individuals having ego of their own.
I am the one, who is having a very long innings of marital life for the past 41 years that too having married my wife through an arranged marriage. Inspite of countless heated arguments, our marital life is going strong.
I wholeheartedly wish the writer a very long marital life with very few arguments of course.
Community garden : it’s very sweet of the couple’s friend to arrange a very nice surprise recording and sweet of the writer to have visualised a very happy scene.
The Price of Grapes : Very sweet story indeed. Many people don’t have that patience. It’s very nice of the writer and the Taxi driver to have waited for a while patiently more so in the case of writer till the fruit seller appeared on the scene.
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@Sivaram Pochiraju , reading your observations added to my joy in reading this week's MD. I was born in Hyderabad, lived there for part of my childhood, and treasure such precious memories of the people and the place. On of my most prized memories is going to the market in the early mornings with my grandfather, my small hand held in the safety of his strong grip, his other hand holding the sack that would bring home to my grandmother the fruits and vegetables for the day, and perhaps goat meat for khorma.
Wishing you continued happiness in all that life has to offer.
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@Faith : Thanks for your appreciation. I have spent most of my childhood in Hyderabad too. However I have spent 31 years of my life in Maharashtra on account of my employment. Further I have spent more than 6 years in America as resident and tourist that too 4 years in Flushing, NY. As such I cherish fond memories in Hyderabad, Maharashtra and America especially New York.
I wish you not only success in whatever you do but also happiness throughout your life.
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Many thanks Paula for sharing your Lime Rickey. It did imprint as I read it as least three times and had to stop or there goes the hour. It was like watching Bob Ross painting.
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@Doc Morgan
Agree. Complex and brilliant. Also had to read it 3 times.
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Dear Catherine,
Thank you for a wonderful Diary entry this first day of autumn. People being kind to each other, helping out when needed without being asked, smiling at one another. This is the perfect way to add sweetness to the public and shared life of the city streets. A wonderful way to begin a Sunday morning and welcome a new week. Just one question: were you and your short-term partner on commission or straight salary?
Be well,
Allen
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Dear Allen,
I agree with you. Catherine’s Diary entry titled “The Price of Grapes” is great, and it makes me think of the wonderful farm stands that we have here in Connecticut at this time of year.
In addition to the big farm markets, we have many Mom-and-Pop type of farm stands on the back roads in CT. We can get corn on the cob, fresh local tomatoes, string beans, eggplant, peppers, and other beautiful vegetables. And apples! And it’s all on the honor system. Just leave your money in the bucket on the table.
And to think that we’re only a train ride away from Manhattan!
P.S.: Tomorrow is our final packing day before we’re “leaving on a jet plane” to be with family in the mountains of Colorado. Be back around the middle of October.
Best wishes,
Dean from CT (soon-to-be Dean from CO)
Sept. 22, 2019
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Dear Dean,
The honor system certainly makes for a much happier and nicer world for all of us. The fresh vegetables and fruit you write of are indeed delicious this time of year.
Safe and happy travels Dean, and I hope you enjoy good weather and many good and memorable times.
Be well.
Allen
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@Dean
Dear Soon-to-Be Dean from CO,
Your excitement about this trip to the Rocky Mountains is so palpable that I can suddenly imagine a wagon train of settlers in the 1840s headed West into the vast, dangerous unknown, forging ahead through blistering ice and cold, emerging to sight of the breath-taking Sierra Nevadas and the majesty of the Sangre de Cristo range.
So, may the only bear and mountain lion you shoot, Dean, be with cameras, and I'm sure all Met Diary readers left behind in the canyons of Manhattan (and surrounds) will be eager to read about your adventures of life "in the territories" upon your return.
Via con Dios,
Elissa
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A bit of panic this Sunday morning looking for my MD fix. I've grown accustomed to this format and being a creature of habit I thankfully found the link in the online paper edition. The Photo Op letter has a political overtone that I refuse to address on the MD comments.
I prefer to keep it heart warming like the Community Garden letter.
I didn't cry but my eyes did well up a bit.
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@mlb4ever
I found Mike Lemme's story ambiguous. is there an implication that Mr. Lemme was not kept on or offered a regular job?
It's quite logical that if they're photographing employees, they would not include temps, just being sensible. In the minds of people looking at resumes, a temp not being offered a full-time position is never seen as the person ever having been let go, but in the temp's mind, it can somehow feel that way is that's something they wanted.
PS It's fascinating that in ten ir twenty seconds, in our minds, we can flash win a whole period of time, whether it's a memory or a hoped-for future. I recall sitting in a writing workshop and Sondheim was a guest teacher, actually talking about a show I'd just presented and started saying "Brecht would have really enjoyed what you're trying to do here" and a co-worker gasped with joy and in what must have been two seconds images of recommendation letters danced through my head, but then the master followed up with "I'm not a fan of Brecht," then proceeded to a discussion with the writing class's main teacher Stephen Schwarts (!) of why the distancing of being Brechtian was fine for "Non-Profit" theaters but would go nowhere in that day's commercial theater.
16
Hi Freddie'
"If I’m being honest with myself, they made the right decision."
It seems to me that he never made it to employee status, my reference is his immediate plans if he did.
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@mlb4ever, I thought he'd meant the right decision about the photograph, but maybe you're right.
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