You’d think things would gear up slowly on a Monday morning, but I communicated with four people before 9:00 am. Some of Joyce’s mail was put in my box last week, so I left it in hers on the way up the street. There was a package shoved to the back. I stopped and texted her, thinking she’d want to take it in before going to work. We had time to wish each other a cheery good morning with our phones.

Neighbor Holly stopped on her way to work, encouraging me about walking. I’ve learned that newer cars shut off when stopped, but I still find it disconcerting. I bite my tongue to keep from asking how she’ll get to work when her car won’t go. Someone should tell me if taking your foot off the brake or tapping the gas pedal starts it again. Maybe AI just knows!

Bob stopped at the stop sign after taking Logan to school, knowing I was at the furthest point from my house. He said, “Fifty cents for a ride home.” I told him I didn’t have any money, and we both laughed as he drove away.

The last greeter was Bob’s brother Tom, here for a short while before going back to Florida. I asked what he was going to do with his early start. “I’m going to help Bob chop wood today,” he replied. “I know it’s not good to just sit and watch TV. People say you have to keep moving to stay alive.”

I said, “I agree, but my saying is shorter. You SIT – You DIE!”

This is what I saw going toward the stop sign.