Today was a lazy day for Aneta and Ania. So we didn't get started until after 2 PM. Today Aneta had promised to take me to the factory outlet stores for the Polish Pottery manufacturers. She dropped Ania at her grandparents and off we went. We visited three stores and saw dozens of different patterns of porcelain and stoneware in both modern and traditional designs. I found one store in particular that had things that appealed to me a great deal. The problem is how to get breakable things home in one piece without carrying them on the airplane; keeping in mind that pottery is heavy! I picked up a couple of items for Christmas gifts but went away empty handed for myself. I love the traditional patterns of Polish Pottery but just couldn't figure out how to get the stuff home.
Tonight is my coffee date with Kojak. He arrived to get me around 5 pm. We walked up to the village to the Italian pizza restaurant where I like to go for coffee when I am out walking. We ordered a pizza an a coffee and had a most lovely visit. Kojak is very special to me. He came and stayed at the B&B three years ago when Aneta and Witek and he were touring the US. We visited about many different things and he got yet another chance to practice his English. He asked the question everyone asks me, "Are you tired of Poland yet?" I don't know why, but everyone asks me that question. It's almost like they are tired of Poland and can't quite figure out what I find so appealing about being here for such an extended period of time.
The answer is, "No, I am not tired of Poland yet. I am not tired of the people, I'm not tired of the country and I am not tired of Aneta. They may be tired of me by now but I'm perfectly content. I like Poland, I like the people I've met here and I am having a terrific time."
"Okay," he says. "I just thought you were in a sad mood at Ania's birthday party."
"Moi? No way! I was in a great mood. I knew everyone at the party, I had a wonderful time."
"Okay," he says a bit warily, "but Aneta was in sad mood, right?"
"Yes," I concede, "Aneta was not in a very good mood that night but she is fine. I don't know what was wrong."
Kojak took my hand as we walked and held it all the way to the restaurant and again all the way back home. I felt very cared for by this nice young man who is about to be married to the lovely young Agnes. Being a grandmother has its advantages, you aren't a threat to anyone under 60 and the 30 somethings think you need special handling and care. Such a sweet deal!
Kojak is tutoring a student in math skills and had to be back to his flat by 7 pm. So, I was in early, as all grannies should be I suppose, and spent the remainder of the evening reading from 1Q84 to Aneta while she stood and ironed for two solid hours. When she finished ironing she lay down on the sofa and I continued reading. She fell asleep at 11:30 and missed 27 pages before I finally quit reading. She woke up at midnight and I sent her off to bed. I wasn't the least bit sleepy since I had coffee at 5:30 pm so I had a ong night to reflect on things before the sandman finally came for me around 3 this morning.
Linda
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