Flexibility.........................

I had a plan for today. I was going to drive down into Monmouth County, get breakfast somewhere, then hit the libraries in Hazlet and Middletown. Maybe even stop at the Goodwill Store on the way home.

That didn't happen.

The morning was overcast, and it looked like it might rain. I decided to stay local instead.

You have to be flexible.

I decided to stop at Shoprite first to check out the sales. Then I'd go to Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast. But, they were working at repaving the entry drive into the Shoprite strip mall, so I had to take a wide right to get in. When I came out, I was close to the Taco Bell, so I went there for breakfast. (I have to admit that I was disappointed. I was the only customer and the food was good but not as hot as it should be and they were out of the iced tea that I'd wanted so I settled for Mountain Dew.)

Still, I was being flexible.

The day had brightened up and gotten warmer. I opened the windows and headed up to Rahway and their library. Again, road work created a detour for me. (I'm not complaining about the roadwork. We had such a severe winter that the roads really need to be repaired.) I knew where I was heading and just followed along. That's when I came up on this guy.

He seemed to be headed down his driveway as I came up. There was no one else around.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove on to the library, but didn't find anything I was interested in. I backtracked to St. George's Avenue and then turned right on Inman. I was enjoying the weather and figured on taking a nice, quiet drive towards Metuchen. I followed along until I got to Grove Street where I made the left. I intended to stop at the North Edison library. I got stopped at the light on New Dover right beside St. Helen's. I looked over and noticed this older man.

 

There was no one else around, but he was pretty far away. Besides, he looked pretty peaceful back there.
I changed my mind, and made the right turn towards Metuchen.

Again, flexible.

I stopped at the library and actually came out with two new books. I thought I'd take Main Street up to Woodbridge Avenue and then make my way through Raritan Center. I stopped at the light on Route 27 and a car stopped behind me. I could hear him before I saw him. His radio, or whatever, was that loud.

I don't like that.

Now, Main Street in Metuchen is a busy couple of blocks. It's one lane and you have to be aware of pedestrians crossing wherever they want. It's a slow drive and the guy behind me - who's already disturbed my peaceful mood with his loud music - was right on my back.

I changed my mind and, when I got to the light at Amboy, took the "left turn only" lane. The guy behind me pulled up beside me.

His music was blaring, and the sun was shining brightly. I got the left turn arrow first and as I turned ...

Point, press, Flash.

I had aimed at the car so I noticed that, as I continued my turn, the music had suddenly stopped. In my driver's side mirror I could see the car still sitting there.

Not what I've usually done, but I was being flexible again.

I drove through the Clara Barton section until I got to Woodbridge Avenue where I was, again, in the "left turn only" lane. I noticed that the Hess station on the far corner had regular at $3.35. That's a good price, but I had to make the left. I wound up driving around through some unfamiliar streets in Fords, trying to get back to the Hess station. That's when I saw this guy heading my way.

We were alone out here.

Point, press, Flash.

I got back to the Hess station, put in $20, and drove to Wegman's with the intention of picking up some vegetable cream cheese and a bagel for lunch. They had the bagels but not the cream cheese I wanted.

Oh well, I was sure that I had something I could come up with at home.

After all, this was a day for flexibility.