AN incredible compliment

judsoncarroll4

I got an incredible compliment today. I ran into a lady.... I see her maybe 3 times a year. She is 93 years old, a Master Gardener, and retired teacher. She is a fast talking, full of life, native Philadelphian, sharp mind and sharp tongue. I met her several years ago through her "boyfriend" who was an actual D Day Veteran. He died a couple of years ago at age 99. He was a great man, a real hero - he would call me over and offer me whiskey and a cigar, and I'd listen to his lifetime of stories. She never pulls punches... she does not BS!  We were talking plants and she complimented my knowledge of the herbal uses, Latin and such. I said, "that is high praise coming from the lady who knows more about plants and growing things than anyone I've ever met." I meant that. She is a true master gardener. She got right in my face and said, "Pal, around you I don't feel like I know anything. YOU know more than I ever knew there was to know. Don't waste that. You find a nice girl and get married. Then, you teach.. you have to. Put it all in order and then do it!" Well, I was basically speechless.

Megan Venturella

I think the marital advice was the best part! How awesome. What a pleasure to know someone like that.

judsoncarroll4

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/893990#Comment_893990

Honestly, I just love the way she always calls me pal and treats me like an equal. She's going to have to move into a retirement village because her bones are getting brittle. She'll run circles around everyone! She drives, does her own shopping. I've seen her in the grocery store grabbing a case of beer and tossing it into the cart like it was nothing. Before COVID, she traveled all the time. Good genes, those two!

marjstratton

What a cool lady!

karenjanicki

Nice :). That must have felt good.

Michelle D

@judsoncarroll4 it's great that you have someone like that to encourage you. And I agree with her! Keep teaching! Please keep teaching. You sharing your knowledge is a blessing in my life for sure.

COWLOVINGIRL

She sounds so fun! I'll bet she has some really great stories too!

judsoncarroll4

Oh, I forgot to include her last statement after her advice, "And, don't screw it up!"

MaryRowe

Sounds like some well-rounded advice! But it is a very nice compliment, and well deserved. Please do keep teaching, you are a natural and very good at it!

JodieDownUnder

@judsoncarroll4 Judson speechless! You may have blushed just a little bit. What a great character, few and far between.

maimover

@judsoncarroll4 great compliment indeed and well deserved. You have an incredible amount of knowledge and I think we all are glad you share 🙂