A Different Place and Time...........

I haven't heard from Doyle in a while. That's really not unusual, but I'm betting he and his crew have been impacted by what's happened up in Boston. I'm pretty sure there have been ramifications to it. When you drop a big stone like that into a lake it tends to create a lot of ripples. No word from Gordon either. I don't know what to make of that.

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It rained the last 2 days. Local flooding kind of rain. Even by me it was so bad that you couldn't step off a curb without getting your feet wet. I was tempted to get into my car through the passenger side but then I'd have to climb over the arm rests. I just walked down the block until I found the narrowest band of water and jumped. I just cleared it. I drove around for a while but there really wasn't anyone out and about. I made a stop or two but was home way before noon both days.

Today, however,............

Today was beautiful.

The sun was up, and I was out bright and early. For the first time this year, I didn't take a jacket with me - just my Yankee cap, jeans, and a T-shirt with the logo "Restore the Shore". I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast and took a large Iced Tea with me. I headed up into Iselin.

My windows were down and the breeze was warm. About 10 minutes into my drive, I saw this man up ahead.

It was only about 8:30 and a quick look around showed me that we were alone.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove along New Dover Road towards Colonia.

A few minutes later I noticed this guy trimming the edges along the sidewalk close to the curb.

There was no one else around - no cars along this stretch of road - but it didn't feel right so I drove on. No sense overdoing things, after all.

A little further along the road I passed by St. Helena's church. It was almost 9 and the parking lot was jammed. As I was thinking that it must be a funeral, the piper started playing  "The Minstrel Boy" - one of those sad songs that we Irish tend to rally around. Not a bad way to go out.

I turned off on Grove Street, heading towards a branch of the Edison Library. There were more trees along here and the breeze turned a bit cooler. Still quiet, though. Then I saw this early morning walker.

 I looked around as I got closer. No one else but us.

Point, press, Flash.

I stopped at the library but didn't find anything that interested me. I decided to head for their main branch on Plainfield Avenue. It's about 15 minutes away, just off Route 27.

I actually came out of there with a couple of books that sounded interesting. I took a back way towards Route 27, heading towards Metuchen. As I came up towards the main road, there was another walker out for exercise.

We were in the back of a small strip mall that hadn't opened yet. There was no one in this lot.

Point, press, Flash.

I turned right and headed towards the Metuchen library. Actually, I stopped at WalMart along the way. Mother's Day is this weekend, and I usually pick up a little something for a few people I will see that day.

I stopped at the library but didn't get anything. On my way back, I stopped at the light on Middlesex Turnpike. There was this guy sitting on one of the benches.

I was tempted - again. There was no one around. But this was right outside the Municipal Building where the Police Department is. I didn't see any reason to tempt fate.

I drove home.

Today had been so different from the last two days. Sunnier. Warmer.

It was almost like a different place and time.