WISHING WELL - $60.

WISHING WELL - $60. Deck bench $90; lawn chairs $35. 941-2181.

On page C11 in the July 10 Bangor Daily News.

Preconceived notions: This is very confusing. As I recall from many fairy tales a wishing well is a deep fissure into the earth that, at the top, has either a round stone frame or a thatched roof sort of set up. So how do you sell something that is made of carved out earth? No notions here. I am not at all interested in the other items listed in the ad.

Robert's wife picked up at about 4:05 p.m. today. When I told her my preconceived notions, she laughed, "he builds them," she said.

She put Robert on the phone.

Robert was, like the barn man, old and hard of hearing. Unlike the barn man, Robert was kindly. He, though confused, tried his best to answer my questions and was absolutely convinced (no matter how many times I said I'm just a writer) that I wanted his wishing wells very badly and will be over tomorrow to pick one up -- despite me saying multiple times that this was not the case.

He explained to me that the wells have a two-foot high base and a slanted roof. You just slip them over well pipes.

"We're having a yard sale right now," he said to me, a bit impatiently. "I sold two this morning — they're pretty popular."

And with that, I said thank you and hope Robert isn't waiting for me tomorrow — but I'm pretty sure he will be.