Keith has worked with more then his fair share of “older” women during his days as a gardener.  Today’s Statesman Journal‘s cover story happened to feature one of his oldest customers ever.

His favorite memory of something she said:

I used to have a girl over to take care of things back there (referring to a sixty year old woman who helped with the perennials), but things have started slipping.  I just can’t get back there and boss her around like I used to.

She chuckles when she talks.  Very friendly.  When I asked her if people had asked her for help with the history of Salem, she replied:

Oh, gosh yes.  Someone’s always pounding on my door asking something.  Like they think I’ve seen it all.

I paraphrase a bit.

The newspaper story is real.  The picture, however, has me a little suspicious.  For one thing, what would Imaginary Keith be doing in the house, when there’s perfectly good work to be done outside.