1/7/09 The Most Bizarre Question So Far.
OK, I think it’s time to take down the Christmas decorations at the store. I’m infamous for leaving my tree up at home for months beyond the holidays, but I beat the system this year by not putting up a tree … so the taking-it-down job there is already done. That was easy. 
We finally received snow in Sedona! Woo – hoo! No accumulation, but flakes as large as autumn leaves and dinner plates! Late last week, snow fell for about two pre-noon hours. The sun is out today. The sky is inky blue, the temperature 47. It’s jacket weather, no doubt, but I actually have the store door wide open. This is the northern Arizona winter I love: a dusting of snow on Snoopy Rock’s nose and along the upper-most ridges of the red rocks, and a wide beam of sunshine lying on the carpet. (I’m one of those people who like to sit in a sunbeam.)
I caught up with local friends a couple times this past week, once for a “games night,” and once for dinner and what’s-new? chat. On these occasions, there are usually new people in the crowd — a friend of a friend, or a new neighbor — and it was one of these new acquaintances who asked me the most bizarre question about my store that I’ve ever been asked.
First, let me say, I’ve received some bizarre questions. Everyone who works in Sedona receives bizarre questions: “If I wear kokopelli jewelry, will it help me get pregnant?” “Where’s the best place in town to see a UFO?” “Does this bracelet have any special powers?” “Is it safe to visit a vortex site without sunglasses?” And invasive questions, as well: “Where do you live?” “How much did you pay for a place in town?” “What kind of money do you pull-in in a day?” Oh, and I still remember the young fellow who announced that he wasn’t allowed to shake hands with tourists because they’re unclean, then asked me if I was hiring. “Uh … not today.”
But one question at dinner last week moved instantly to the top spot in bizarro: She looked up from her plate, smiled kindly and asked, “Do you sell worms?”
I had to put a napkin over my mouth, I started laughing so hard. OK, I know what she meant. A mutual friend had told her that my Uptown store is named “Sedona Green,” without mentioning that it’s a gallery and gift shop, so this young lady assumed it was a green-living sort of hardware store; and, being a eco-friendly soul, she was interested in composting, which requires special garbage-eating worms. 
So the question was legit. But it still made me laugh until my abs hurt. I think this could be our new logo: “Sedona Green Gallery — We don’t sell worms.”
Much to do, so I’ll blog more stories for y’all later. Peace.
That is a bizarre question Mike. Like the time the lady came in Mile High and asked “At what elevation up here do the deer turn into elk”?
Are you f-ing serious? HA!
Later Due-Greg in Flag.
Greg, that’s hilarious! I’m gonna tell some folks about that one.