Here's some information about Joan Wester-Anderson's new web site.  Click this link to Visit Joan's site:      http://www.joanwanderson.com
 

Banana Windfall
by
Mark Crider

On a trip to Venezuela fishing for peacock bass, we all savored one particular dish that was served every morning at a nice lodge. It was some type of very small banana, about the size of your pinky finger. None in our party had ever seen them before. They pan grilled them in butter and some kind of luscious seasoning. I told my wife I could become addicted to them. She agreed.

After a week at the freshwater lake we were moving to another lodge on a coastal lake or bayou to fish for snook, my favorite saltwater table fish. We all wondered about the menu and asked about the bananas; no one knew what they would serve.

About an hour into our trip, we spotted an elderly lady with two little girls walking on the side of the narrow road.  The lady was bent over carrying a stalk of the baby bananas. My wife, of course, shouted, "Stop, stop, we need to see if she'll sell us some."

We pulled over and backed up near her, her eyes suspiciously gazing at us. Our guide from Florida knew a little Spanish, but not near what I knew being from near the Mexican border all my life. There was a language barrier since they have a Portuguese highlight, but enough intertwined Spanish to converse in simple Spanish terms.

I asked how much, "quantos questa" for a few bananas and got a "diez" (ten) out of her. All seven of us took out our knives and divided the stalk—then each of us handed her ten dollars, American.

She started a verbal staccato we couldn't understand. I finally got her to slow down and realized the whole stalk was ten cents. I glanced at my wife who was looking at the tire tread sandals as they were wearing. I got the answer from her I knew I would, "Forget it, load up, we're going fishing."

As we drove away, we could see the old woman out the back window of the van; she was kneeling and hugging the two little girls.

Mark Crider © 2006

Re: Angels are Everywhere, Author Unknown

Bob,
Sunday's Starfish, Anglels are Everywhere Author Unknown happened in San Antonio, Tx. The story appeared in our newspaper, San Antonio Express about two weeks ago, complete with names. It is a true story. Thought you might like to know the origin.
Clara Wersterfer

* * *

What a wonderful deed, a real ripple maker!

Betty King

* * *

very sweet Thanks
Denny M.

* * *

It's not every day that I actually cry when reading things on the internet. This one was one of them. Awesome story and really wonderful that someone made the effort to show a little girl that God cares. That was truly and angel.

Marsha J.

Re: What's in Your Mailbox, by Mariane Holbrook

I have a very good Christian relationship with our mailman, also. He's a Christian and we often share prayer requests with each other. It's nice to know you have a friend to turn to when you want extra prayers for different situations. That is why I love being a Catholic, since can ask the saints in heaven to pray for me. I especially think of this today on All Saint's Day (Nov. 1).

Nancy D.
 

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