Friday 19 September 2014

A Little Colour

I've got a quirky, quick story about coincidences today. Don't you just love it when you can say - isn't the world a small place? or how did that happen? There are no photos to go with this story - because asking for a picture would just have been too weird - so what say I completely disregard that blogging convention thing which says one subject, relevant pictures etc etc, and show you some of the other things colouring up my world as I talk? Because it all brightened my day, yesterday.

vintage wooden display tray
Playing about with my new colour display. A wooden tray bought from a pop up salvage shop. It came from a local branch library and was clearly meant for me..

So, there I was in the queue in Tescos. I had quite a load of stuff all piled up on the belt ready to go, most probably because I'd made a half hearted attempt to do a big shop last week, and the week before; but I'd bailed half way through and now I guess you could say the turkeys were coming home to roost. Except we were having chicken. 

washi tape
The old sellotaped labels will fall off eventually I suppose, but I couldn't bear to take them off myself

Anyway, I noticed that the girl who had just joined the line behind me had only one item in her basket and that item was a stick on heat patch. Nobody wants to stand in a queue when the only thing they need to buy is a stick on patch, so I asked her if she wanted to go in front of me, and she thanked me, very politely, and she paid and  she left.

Cath kidston inspired crochet
The colour I work on in the evenings: progress on my Cath Kidston inspired crochet


Fasr forward several hours and I'm out on an entirely different errand. Different part of town, miles away from Tescos. I'm in the Health Centre and I realise the lift door is about to close. I hit the button, hard, but it's okay because the person inside the lift sees me and kindly hits the doors open button too and I have time to jump in. So I do, jump in, and I look up to thank that button presser...

cath kidston inspired crochet

....and, okay, I guess you're ahead of me - it was the same girl! The very same one, from the queue in Tesco! And we recognise each other and we laugh and suddenly being in the Health Centre doesn't seem so bad after all (though I don't have anything requiring a heat patch. I hope she's alright..). And we had each done the other a favour, two complete strangers on the same day in two different places in the same town, though we might never, ever cross paths again. How did that happen?

dolly mixtures
My favourite colours at the moment: Dolly Mixtures, which I eat as I make the dinner. Though, they don't seem as colourful as they used to.The brown ones are my favourites, closely followed by orange.

28 comments:

Ruth said...

I love the colours in the photos you've used to illustrate this post. I wonder if Dolly Mixtures are now less vibrant looking because of the E numbers involved ... just a thought.
Stories about coincidence/six degrees of separation always make me smile.

Jane said...

I love stories like that and envy you your great find x

helena said...

I'm a great believer in 'what goes around comes around' but can't say I've experienced such immediate reciprocity with one person before. I've got those lovely nigella measuring cups too and I agree dolly mixtures seem pastel whereas I remember them as lurid

Mel said...

I love serendipitous accidents and found people were always very kind when I had the new baby and buggy in tow. I forgot that I love Dolly Mixtures too - ultimate comfort food! Great find too!

Lizzy Hill said...

See, now I'm in a quandary....I'm not sure to way which I enjoyed the best...the pics...or the story.....or just the fact you've got a piece of useful history from a libary...& oh, the colours in your crochet rug are YUM. And Life is full of serendipitous moments, I reckon. It's nice to feel the connectedness of the universe at times:):)

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Oh, I just love stories like this.

Barbara Eads said...

Oh My Gosh! There are so many things to comment on here. First off about your photos---totally love the shelf--so perfect for all your colorful goodies; Your afghan turned out beautiful; I have no idea what Dolly Mixtures are but they look like some sort of candy.

Now, for your awesome story. To me, this story is magical. It just goes to show you never know how you might impact someone's life with a small act of kindness. Who knew that her chance to repay the favor would be to the very person who started it!! I say it's more of a miracle that you would cross paths again so quickly. Perhaps you were meant to make something more of this chance meeting.

This post has made my day!! Thanks!

scrappyjacky said...

It certainly is a small world!!
I still love dolly mixtures....all of them.

debs14 said...

What an amazing coincidence!
And what a pretty post in which to tell the story!

Ali said...

Serendipity at its best! xx

Lesley G said...

Fabulous tray, fabulous story :)

Lou said...

it certainly is a small world. Sitting by the pool in Tenerife i was chatting to a lady whose daughter traveled to my sons school a few times a week. She recognised him, he said he'd never seen her before...boys eh! Small world!

Loving your new tray and your blanket looks lovely x

Jennifer Shaw said...

I love it when things like this happen. I always think that it really is a small world we live in. I love your new tray. Such an eye catcher with all the washi tape on it!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

A fantastic story of serendipity and karma and kindness. Love this, Sian!

Abi said...

I love this. I love that she got to pay you back without realising it.I also loved that you both laughed!

Nathalie said...

Great story and great reminder to be kind because you never know... when you might need a "lift" :P

I LOVE your blanket more and more!

Karen said...

It's a great story, and I loved looking at your colorful photos. That new acquisition is just wonderful!

Mitralee said...

OHHHHH I so enjoyed that! Nice very nice! I am loving your shelf find with all the pretty washi, and that you met that girl that you may never meet again and that you shared your grocerying..I was thinking that it was only me that bailed in the middle of shopping...I am dreading tomorrow, it will be crowded!!!

Michelle t said...

I love your crochet blanket. It's so beautiful and your very talented. Michelle t

Sandra said...

It will be interesting if your paths cross again :)

By the way I did have to read this post twice, I was too busy lusting over your washi tape and it's display case the first time lol x

Sheena said...

Firstly x I love the shelf, cellotape & all, the crochet makes me want to abandon what I'm doing & go pick up mine :)
Also your story reminded me... 1 good turn deserves another ...

Cheri said...

I love the serendipity of your story of kindness - right in line with the kindness challenges I've been issuing all year, so it warms my heart to hear about the Universe in action! And I love all of the colorful pics! Great way to illustrate your story since it is all ultimately about how beautiful our world is and how connected we all are!

Kirsty.A said...

That's a good karma story and j need some good karma right now

Jo Murray said...

It was meant to be.

Anonymous said...

What would be truly curious is if your accidental friend is also blogging about this very unusual coincidence! Love your measuring cups, BTW.

Missus Wookie said...

Oh such an inspirational display of colours here. Don't like dolly mixtures but love the story :)

alexa said...

It's a long time since I tasted dolly mixtures, but the photo of them and the soft colours of your crochet quilt just connect with my childhood ... It's coming along so well, your rug/blanket. I still have one that was sent to my Grandmother from Canada many years ago from a distant relative and often wonder about the fingers which wove in and out through the wool. Be sure to leave your story of it somewhere for the family.

Jo said...

How funny that the stranger was able to return the favour so quickly :)

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