Small, tanned and wirey, she’s a Yankee woman of few words. Every week at the farmers’ market she shows up in her tricked out white van, filled with magnetic knife holders and sharping equipment. This is her retirement job, one she created herself after doing accounting for movie production companies most of her life. ‘
“Family business?” I asked while she sharpened my Wolfgang “sort of good” carving knife.
“Nope. Started it myself”.
“How?’
“I needed something that would fit into my life. I have lots of animals and can’t be gone all day. Want to work for myself and have flex time. So I taught myself.”
“Like it?”
“Mostly. The people. And keeps my biceps strong.”
“Can’t get by on Social Security can we?”
“No.”
What impressed me that she knew nothing about it until she tried to figure out something that would suit the life she wanted to live. That, and how she combined keeping in shape with a job.
Cash business, too, has it’s up side.
Every time I use the knife this winter I will think of her. Hope to see her again next summer.