Dewey Decker
showed his new business cards to the other guys at the Mule
Barn Truck Stop’s philosophy counter, and each member of the
world dilemma think tank got to keep one.
Steve, our owlish-appearing cowboy, scratched his head
as he studied the card.
“Okay, Dewey, I’ll bite … what’s a verm-a- ….?
“Vermiculturist, Steve,” Dewey said, proudly. “It means
I raise worms.”
Dewey, the beloved accident-prone member of the think
tank, began his new career with just a shovel and his pickup,
spreading manure in people’s yards. Now, thanks in great part
to the genius of his girlfriend, Emily, (she of the
magnificent cheekbones) he was earning a decent living. Back
when they fell in love … and that’s literally, because Dewey
tripped. she took this crash-and-burn disaster and molded him
into a multi-dimensional businessman, while still keeping him
away from sharp objects or things that crush.
Dewey has branched out now into compost, worms (excuse
me … vermiculture) and fertilizer tea. The tea goes on the
lawn, not in the tea cups.
“Dewey,” said Doc, “this vermiculture stuff now … how
much work is it, really?”
“That’s the good part about it, Doc. You see, I don’t
have to do anything at all, really, except keep them in …
product, you know. They reproduce without any outside help,
and turn manure into the best compost in the world. Then you
can sell them to other people to work their compost piles, or
to fishermen.”
“Well, Dewey,” said Herb, “it looks to me like simply
being a vermiculturist doesn’t really cover the subject.
Wouldn’t those red wigglers also make you a compostocologist?”
“Hadn’t really thought about …” Dewey said.
“And when it comes to selling them to fishermen,” Doc
said, “wouldn’t you be an ichthymasticatiousdietician?”
“I … I …”
“Yes, Dewey?”
“I refuse to be anything I can’t spell.”
------------
Brought to you to honor those masked folks who wait on us in
the coffee shops and take our temperature at the doctor’s
office. Thank you for your courage.