Green Bananas

My father, who was born in the first third of the 20^th century, often jokes that he’s so old, he doesn’t even buy green bananas any more.  I had a similar experience today.  As I handed my Winn-Dixie card to the cashier, she shook her head and said, “Go back and get you your free one”  Excuse me?  She pointed at the sticker on a package of pork chops, “It’s buy one, get one free.”  I said, “I only need one.”  She stared at me in disbelief - was I really going to turn down free meat in these hard economic times?  “But if I’m only here for a month, I can’t eat more than five pork chops in that time.”

“If I’m only here for one month...”  rang in my ears as I walked to my car in the oppressive 96 degree heat.  But it’s true, I don’t know where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing come the beginning of the fall semester.  I was so busy surviving the past year (from being fired without cause to working two full time jobs, one of which involved learning a new trade) I haven’t had much time to think about what’s next.  While in Austria I interviewed for two jobs which depend on the nostrification of my American academic credentials, and since I’ve been back I’ve interviewed for a job in the States which depends on approval of the budget.  One would keep me in Louisiana, the other would involve selling everything I own and moving overseas.  

But right now I’m daintily treading the tightrope of uncertainty between my past and the future.  There’s a green banana peel up ahead.  No matter what happens, it’s sure to be an adventure, right?!