Let's hope that they are the type who see no point to retiring. If they quit, they'd die. Some folks are just built that way. "This is what I do, this is what I've always done and I see no reason to stop now just because you say I'm old." Maybe they are working for a few extra dollars to spoil a grandkid.

So, in my interpretation, yes, gardening is keeping them alive. And though I hope I'm not still gardening for dollars in my 80's, I hope I'm still gardening!

A nicely written fantasy ilima and an enjoyable read. The historical thread would be interesting to follow. Mostly this work was done by Italian immigrants here but now it is cheaper for the children of those originals to employ immigrants from a poorer part of the world while the old guys are put out to grass and sometimes drawn back in in times of emergency.
An Asian fable would probably try to make this romantic in some way as you do with "this is the kind of work that may keep us all alive".

When I lived in a guesthouse in an affluent area of Los Angeles almost 30 years ago, the owner had a Japanese gardener, Mr. Hori. He was in his 60s then and I've often wondered what happened to him. We always called him Mr. Hori, never anything else. He carried out his work with incredible elegance and grace, I learned much from him.

We had a yardman when we lived in post-war Japan. His name was Toshiji. He was also a gnarled little fellow who spoke no English, but smiled a lot, flashing what teeth he had left and they were clad in gold.

When it rained, he slipped off his boots and came inside to polish the brass fixtures. Always busy, but never in a hurry.

Your thread was almost poetic and I enjoyed reading it. I could see them as if with my own eyes. I hope you do some writing on the side.

One of my g'father's was an English emigre to the U.S. He spent his life on his apple orchard until he was too old to farm and then moved from Appalachia to New York, where he was still working in his seventies as "The English gardener".

I see something very natural and almost religious about growing closer and closer to mother earth as the years roll by. It seems healthy and normal to me and not in the least depricating.

Totally cool thought for the night. Thanks.

Yes, I agree that is beautifully written. I too hope that you use your talent for writing (not that I'm an expert on the subject). I can clearly see the scene you have written.
Calliope I agree, "I see something very natural and almost religious about growing closer and closer to mother earth as the years roll by. It seems healthy and normal to me and not in the least depricating" There is a saying that I saw in a garden once 'From the earth we were formed. To the earth we return. And in between we garden' ... so true... My Grandma was gardening in her mid 90's.
Thanks for the post.

How did I miss this thread of gold ?

Ilima,
I do not think that you have to worry about your future fate of your lawn mower turning into a walker.

You have too much talent .

Funnel and transition it and the world is yours.

I am glad this has resurfaced.
Much of gardening for a living is monotonous and the work of the imagination may be what keeps us alive and stories like this are certainly an uplifting experience.
Commercial success is not my forte but if you can write like this for those in the trenches then encore.

Thankyou all very much for your comments and kind words. I wanted to say thankyou earlier but did not want to bring the thread back up to the top myself, so thanks Flowerchild.

I am off to the dentist. Maybe I will have another vision while I am in the chair.

.'^^^^^'.
.'^^^^^'.
ilima

ilima, very nice.

Problem is, I am one of those old geezer's who show up, always, and do not know when to stop. Don't know why, always will and love it!

Bruce