“Give a man a fish…”
The timing was perfect. Phil came to the door with a tidy mess of freshly caught trout on Wednesday afternoon. Cousin Ruth and Friend Cindy arrived yesterday. Garlic mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and fried trout for dinner! Ruth’s rhubarb crisp and ice cream for dessert. Wow!
Nyel has long said that his little-boy experiences with fishing were a turnoff. In his memory, fishing had to do with being six years old and trying to keep up with his long-legged dad through grass and brush taller than he was. It was hot. It was Idaho. It was fishing.
It’s taken almost seventy years but Phil’s generous gift and a hint that maybe Nyel would like to go fishing with him sometime have (perhaps) changed Nyel’s mind. At least, it sounded hopeful as he talked about it over that delicious dinner last night.
Actually, it all seemed to hinge on me. Would I like the trout? I’ve eaten trout before – just never since I’ve known Nyel. Boney? Yes. But certainly not a deal breaker. Gorgeous presentation? Yes. Delicious? Yes! Would I like a repeat? Yes!
Perhaps Phil and Nyel will provide a twist to the old “Give a man a fish…” proverb. Give a man some trout and introduce him to a lifetime of missed opportunities…