ADVICE FOR ADULTS ONLY: Always Talk To Strangers

When Gayle and I are out and about traveling in state, around the country, or abroad, we make it a point to strike up a conversation with strangers unless they appear dangerous or unhinged.  Invariably we meet engaging and interesting people who have more in common with us than we could have ever imagined.  Conversely, sometimes they are radically different from us in spite of their appearance and it's loads of fun to listen to their stories.  On a ski trip to Copper Mountain when our three sons were young, we shared a table with a couple our age and their two kids.  Since that day, we've stayed in touch and recently talked about getting together for a visit.  The nice thing about talking to strangers is that if they appear normal but after a minute of conversation we get weird or unwelcome vibes, it's easy to escape by turning on our heels and saying "we've got to join our friends" over our shoulders as we run away.  It rarely happens like that.  Most of the time, it's a very pleasant way to pass a few minutes and share experiences.  It reminds us that most everybody is fairly interesting and that we're all just trying to do the best we can. 

I LOVE LIVING IN A SMALL TOWN

Last night I wrote a note on the pad I keep on my nightstand reminding me to call my CPA first thing.  As I ran through downtown at the end of my jog this morning, I saw my CPA in front of his building.  I stopped and discussed with him the tax issue about which I had planned to call him.  Last week I discovered one of my tires flat in my carport.  I walked the two blocks to my office and called my friend who owns a tire business.  By nine a.m., his service crew had come to my house, replaced the tire and called to tell me my vehicle was road-ready again.  Yesterday I left the office at five p.m., peak traffic time, and was home in mere moments, surviving another "rush minute" on local streets.  Through the internet and satellite I see everything that's going on in the world.  I read online the best newspapers here and abroad.  There's no glitz and glamour, but living small town life sure is convenient.  Easy on the blood pressure, too.