An oak’s purpose. (Not elves)

There once was a man from Nepal

Who sank down on his heels and haunches for a while

The dog, she did worry. The man under the tree in no hurry

He grinned and explained, “It’s a call from a friend in Nepal.”

Oak tree. Not a cell tower. (Image by Rafal Godek/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Who knew big oak trees can amplify very long distance cell signals?

Verizon must be furious at the discovery.

Probably have the Elves on a hit list…

Stick with making cookies, Elves! Or spying on small children at Christmas. Leave cell phone signal management to the Big Boys.

Molly, hush! He’s less likely to be captured and tied up by elves than to be carried off by gnats, mosquitoes, or fire ants.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

One of the young families on the block is from Nepal. 

They managed to get the grandparents out during a politically unstable time – and just before the birth of their first son. A lucky thing all the way around.

Their porch entryway is sometimes draped in colorful lights and festive touches for special celebrations – like a recent wedding with all sorts of friends and relatives visiting.

During one such gathering, a line of young women floated (and they do seem to float) down the street dressed in elegant traditional flowing robes. A chorus line of fluttering butterflies stretching from one curb across to the other – darting occasionally to the sidewalks as some car suddenly came upon them. Yet they never seemed to stop smiling, laughing, and chatting like wind chimes.  A couple of small children buzz around them. No hands on restraining here.

(Scenes like this cause Molly Malamute to totally freeze deer-in-the-headlight style as she’s not sure what to make of it. So we stop, and let her sit and watch, totally intrigued by the pageantry. Now that the youngest boy is old enough to understand you can’t windmill up to Molly screaming “Doggie, doggie!”, Molly doesn’t panic when she sees the kids.)

While the stylish young couple are quite Americanized, after the birth of the second child, the slender wife now occasionally wears the traditional gowns like very old Grandmother. While traditions are good to pass down, I was thrilled when the Grandmother actually put on some warm wool trousers and a heavy coat during that freeze without electricity we had. Nothing will deter her from her daily walk.

During the COVID lockdown we worried  bit about them as they had just opened their restaurant by NASA featuring foods from Nepal and the Himalayas, but the husband assured us they were managed between their catering company, their food truck, and the restaurant’s kitchen’s takeout. They are rushed, working hard, but happy.

Which brings us to the young man from Nepal – who’s probably been brought over to help with the restaurant – most likely a chef from his attitude.

It must be universal: how some young men walk around as if they know they are God’s gift to the universe. He’s got that down.

But we love his grin – and the obvious joy he spills out swaggering down the street.

Most recently he’s acquired a bike. Not an expensive one – looks like Academy – but he’s got wheels and can go on his own. The restaurant is not all that far and there are new wide bike paved paths that lots of people who work local use. I think the pandemic had many rediscover the coolness of bikes…except in the second half of summer. Never underestimate the tolerance of heat if independence is the tradeoff.

Himalayas in background behind local cell phone amplifying tower, I mean, tree. Mountains are magic. You never know…(Image: Nethravathi a prabhu/ Commons.wikimedia.org)

Who was on the other end of his long distance call to Nepal from under our oak tree?

He looked pretty happy. Talking with such aplomb.

Ah, someone he didn’t want the entire family listening in on?

A little mystery in the making. Perhaps another celebration not far down the road?

What a wonderful world this can be.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

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