An up and down evening

What an afternoon and early evening I had. As I was approaching my home coming from work this afternoon, there was a car parked on the street in front of my home. As I drove by it, in preparation for turning into my driveway, I looked the driver directly in the eye. Without being judgemental, and to remain politically correct, let me just say, I didn't feel comfortable with this situation.

I parked my car in my driveway without putting it in the garage. I had plans to leave again soon after arriving home. I called the police department for my town and told them of the car and that things just didn't seem right. "Stay in your home with the doors locked", I was told. Now wait a minute. . . I'm not the bad guy here!!!

I am trying to sell my kayak to buy another one and had arranged with two people who had called about it to meet them at Mendon Ponds Park tonight to try it out. I told them I would meet them there at 6:00 pm. So DON'T tell me to stay in my home with the doors locked!

I was in the process of putting the kayak on my car - a half hour later - when the police finally arrived. . . two police cars, actually. I told the police the car had left but described as much as I could. I did not get the license plate number because I didn't want this "person" to know I was alarmed.

Soon I was on my way to Mendon Ponds Park. I apologized to both potential buyers for being late and explained why I was late. After a usual frantic day at work and the strange car near my home, I was not the most calm person in the world at that moment!

But then my heart and soul began to be at peace. I was in Mendon Ponds Park, one of my favorite places. I chatted with one of the potential buyers while the other one was paddling the kayak. Birds were singing, you didn't have to look long to see deer roaming about. Some people walked by with a dog on a leash. There is just something about me that attracts dogs. . . this dog - a Husky - decided I was a dog friendly person and came running over to me. I struck up a conversation with another person. No matter what kind of day you are having, a visit to Mendon Ponds Park is good for the soul.

One of the people I was talking to said, "You know, there was this great thing going on here last Saturday, think it was some kind of expo or something." Now THAT brought a smile to my face!

"Oh, you mean, the ADK Outdoor Expo?"

"YES! That's it. That was loads of fun!"

"THANK YOU!!!" I said and then proudly told him I was the Co-chair of this year's Expo!

Both of the buyers said they wanted to think about it. I suspect one of them is serious but is playing hard ball. . . He obviously doesn't know I'm Scotch-Irish and not one to be negotiable.

They left but I decided to remain awhile longer. There were people walking about and others were fishing from the shore. If only I could "bottle" the feeling I have being in Mendon Ponds Park and splash it all over myself at other times when life is stressful and unkind.