Photo courtesy: Emily Miller Productions @2013
It was November 2010, we bid on a job…. They wanted to create fall scenarios but wanted to shoot in jan/ feb. no problem, but we ‘d need fall leaves…..
um, that’s gonna be expensive !
Always being one to pinch a nickel until it has welts, I was on the hunt.
Armed with trash bags and a furry black jacket,I made my way to the San Rafael public library. Sunday night, pitch black; all good. 53 years old on my hands and knees, scooping up freshly fallen leaves and god knows what else, I stuffed them in my SUV and rolled back to my shop, feeling every bit, the grinch.
I did not get arrested.Yea!
We did not get the job. Bummer!
Unable to hear the word ,”no”‘ I suspended the bags from the rafters, so they would not get crushed, air circulation would minimize the mold potential and I fantasized that I could sell a bag of leaves out of season for 25 bucks a bag, maybe more.
I did occasionally question my sanity.
I did often think I should throw them away.
But I didn’t.
In December 2013, we were awarded that same job. Having missed leaf season of 2012, I smiled that sly and oh-so-lucky smile, relishing for more than a moment the fact that while I was possibly a hoarder of the most ridiculous sort, I was also blessed.
Was it my good luck talisman of dry leaves, a divine wink to the long shot; or just the reward for dedication? I know you feel it too.
Will you tell me your story of dedication, you know, that time that you impressed yourself.
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