Nannies’ waste not, want not lesson
‘The Nannies’ is a narrative started during national lockdown 2020. Based on a pair of lively elderly cousins who live nextdoor to each other, the Nannies explore current issues from a traditional knowledge base.
Delta level 4 came as a surprise to many, including myself who was not aware until the 6 o’clock news that night. Nanny 82 and I were seated in her kitchen in the middle of eating our tea. Because she is hard-of-hearing, her television is constantly on the highest volume level. So when the announcement was made, I could hear it clearly from the kitchen.
If level 4 happened again, we had planned for Nanny 82 to go to her son’s place in the Manawatu¯. However, with less than six hours to do so, we knew that wasn’t going to happen. Nanny 76 was still recovering from her sprained ankle and had decided to stay with her son in town.
So it was just Nanny 82 and Cat for Delta level 4, with me checking in every day. Thankfully, it was just for two weeks. We survived without argument, living on goodwill, patience, understanding, patience and love. And patience.
Nanny 76 finally landed at home, ankle all better, with Delta level 3. Her bubble expansion included returning to her own house, her cousin and Cat. We were so happy to have her back after such a long absence. Balance had returned to our village.
With the spells of lovely weather, the Nannies have been sitting in the sun on Nanny 82’s back porch quite a lot. There is a riot of spring colour to look at and the heavy scents of flowing bulbs and boronia to breathe in. Heavenly.
A couple of days after the return of Nanny 76, I ventured there for a social visit and cup of tea. Nanny 76 appeared with a small food bucket and took her seat on the back porch near Nanny 82.
“What’s in the bucket?” I queried.
“Nga aporo kureherehe,” replied Nanny 76. “They’ve been in my fridge since I left for Poneke.”
Which was almost three months ago. Kureherehe is right. All the colour gone and more wrinkles than both nannies combined. However, these two cousins grew up on the back of the 1930s Depression, where nothing was wasted, especially food. Food which at that time was home grown and worked hard for to get. Good habits die hard.
Nanny 76 took up a knife, peeled the first apple and cut it up for her and her cousin.
“Te kawa hoki o enei,” said Nanny 76 after the first bite.
“This is a nice one,” Nanny 82 said, munching on a piece from the same apple. “That other one was alright.”
“No! It was kawa!” stated her cousin.
I sat there, sipping my tea and fascinated in their exchange. First apple eaten, they began on the second one.
“Hell. First time I’ve ate apples that’s beyond,” Nanny 76 said thoughtfully, chewing on her apple.
“And you’re enjoying it!” smirked Nanny 82.
“Ae,” continued Nanny 76. “Oh, this one is reka. Jeez. Just to think I was going to chuck you fullas out. How’s that one?” she asked Nanny 82. “Alright.”
“How do you know?” Nanny 82 slipped the apple slice in her mouth.
“I just put it in my mouth,” she said quietly, with a glint in her eye looking at her freesias.
I sipped my tea trying not to laugh.
Her cousin rolled her eyes. Nannies!