Road Trip ............

When I checked my outdoor thermometer before I left my apartment this morning it was already 49, and the sun was shining brightly. Today, I decided, I was going to take a drive down into Monmouth County.  I haven't been down there in months and I was looking forward to this.

I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts and picked up some breakfast for the ride. I chose a medium, unsweetened iced tea instead of a decaf coffee, and I was wearing sneakers instead of my waterproof boots.

Today was my own, personal "First Day of Spring".

I had the radio on CBS-FM as I drove down Route 9 onto Route 35 and turned onto Middle Road in Hazlet. I stopped at the library, but didn't find anything interesting. I got back onto Middle Road and headed towards Middletown. I went to make a right turn when this bike rider shot past me. If I'd made the turn I would've hit him.

I didn't turn. I followed him and when I passed him ..

Point, press, Flash.

I took the next right and continued on towards Middletown. Along here, I passed the set of offices where the real estate agent who sold us our first house used to work. He got us a good deal, but I'm pretty sure he cut a lot of corners. I didn't see his name among the signs.

I stopped at the Middletown Library and picked up a couple of books. I was still thinking about our old house and I decided - spur of the moment - to take a drive past it.

I made a right on Thompson, by the Target, and headed towards Route 36. I passed the office where my daughter's pediatrician used to work - it's a dental office now. Up ahead I saw this guy walking on the opposite side of the street.

There was no one else around.

Point, press, Flash.

I made a left onto Route 36 and headed towards Union Beach. I passed the building where our real estate lawyer used to work. It's still there but he isn't.

I made a right onto Anderson Street. The house is still there and still looks the same. Except we didn't have the mailbox, they've taken out the bushes that were in front of the kitchen windows, the fence is gone, and the front steps are missing.

By now, I was getting kind of nostalgic. Maybe because this is where my daughter was born and raised and now she's going to have a baby of her own.

Oh well, someone once compared life to a river - you either go with the flow or you drown. I headed back.

It was starting to cloud over now, and was feeling cooler.

They're still doing construction work on Route 35 North, but there was very little traffic so it didn't cause me much of a delay. Just as I was coming up on Lawrence Harbor I saw this guy.

Sometimes, I just can't resist it.

Point, press, Flash.

I stayed on 35 instead of getting back on 9. This took me up through Perth Amboy. I came up on this guy waiting on a corner.

And sometimes I can resist. The area was just too open.

I stopped at Wegman's and picked up some things.

I headed home.

It turned out to be a bit more nostalgic then I had expected but I enjoyed the ride.

There's nothing like a road trip.

A Good Day ............

I haven't slept well the last few nights. There's nothing really wrong, it's just a touch of anxiety. My daughter is expecting her first child - my first grandchild - any day now so I keep waking up every hour or so to check my phone. I'm afraid I might sleep through the call. I'm tired, but it's a good thing.

This morning I got up at my usual time (between 6:30 and 6:45) to check my vitals and take some pills. I then went back to bed for another 1 1/2 hours. Around then, the kids upstairs are stomping around getting ready for school. I got washed up, dressed, and was out the door by about 8:45. It was a bit chilly, but it wasn't raining. I had some errands to run, and a plan on how to do them.

I forgot to mention this before but - a couple of weeks ago - I finally had a radio installed in my car.

It was a belated Christmas present from some family members and I still forget to turn it on right away. I'm getting better with it though and, one of these days, I'll check the manual for how to use the CD Player. Still, having music and news in stereo instead of through a single ear bud is a good thing.

My first stop was ShopRite. I go there a lot but on Mondays and Thursdays I also pick up my lottery tickets. Today, there was no line. And I picked up some Ritz Crackers that were on sale - 2 boxes for $3. Those were good things.

I headed up St. George and then realized that I meant to stop for gas. I cut through some back streets and then through a Krauser's parking lot. That's where I saw this guy smoking a cigarette.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove back to the Wawa's on Routes 1 & 9 and filled up. $2.01 a gallon. That's a good price.

I stopped for the paper then had breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts - a medium decaf coffee and a toasted blueberry muffin with butter. I sat down with my book but didn't get much reading done. I could hear the conversation that these two guys nearby were having. They were in the middle of agreeing that we were probably being observed by aliens and that the government knew about it. By the time I'd finished eating, they were discussing why no one could get a clear picture of Big Foot and whether it would be legal or not to shoot him.

Breakfast and a comedy show. That's a good thing.

Next stop, WalMart - they have a prescription ready for me. Because of where I was parked, I couldn't just turn up Avenel. I had to cut through some back streets to Prospect and come out there. When I stopped at the sign to make the left I saw the checkpoint.

My inspection sticker is up-to-date, I was wearing my seat belt, and all my documents were good. Still, they had traffic backed up and they'd pulled a bunch of cars over already. I made my turn without getting involved .That's definitely a good thing

WalMart had my prescription ready and there was no line at the Pharmacy counter. It was still early so I decided to drive down Amboy Avenue through the Clara Barton section and then make the right turn onto Main Street into Metuchen.

It was overcast out but it was warm in the car and I was enjoying the music. The only problem was the potholes.

The winter had been so bad that there isn't one street that I've been on that doesn't have at least a couple of them. The main roads aren't too bad because the townships have been trying to keep them filled. I've seen the work crews out - here and there - for the last couple of weeks. But the side streets and back roads look like a war zone. There are some streets that are so bad that they've had to close sections of them completely while they redo them.

This took me out of my way and I wound up driving up James Street to get around one of these. Along there, I saw this woman heading my way.

I was too busy watching out for the potholes to pay too much attention to her. I made it to New Dover and turned right.

The road along here was in much better shape, probably due to the upscale nature of the neighborhood, and I was able to look around a bit more. Up ahead, I saw this guy preparing to do some line work.

These guys always kinda bothered me. They have different size trucks that do the same thing but they always seem to use the really big ones on these narrow two-way streets. I had to slow as I passed him.

Point, press,Flash.

I drove around him and headed home.

I stopped at Subways and picked up a 12-inch tuna on Italian with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sweet pepper, and mayo.

I was home in time to watch "The Price Is Right".

It was a good day.

Found It.............

Spring is here! Well, not officially. That won't happen until next week. But it sure feels like it.

We got slammed last Thursday with about 5 inches of snow. Thankfully, it was powdery so it only took me about 1/2 an hour to clean off the car on Friday. While I was out there, the young people who were parked in front of me - who had cleared off their SUV the night before - drove off. I pulled into that spot and then was able to push the plowed snow over towards the curb, opening up the spot I'd been in. I didn't move it again until Saturday.

Sunday, we turned the clocks ahead an hour. When I went to change the one in the living room, I found that the battery had died. Kind of ironic, don't you think?

Monday, I was out and about - running some errands that had piled up. I'm still looking for a new, microwavable bowl for soup and now I needed a battery for the living room clock. No luck but there was a definite warming trend happening.

Tuesday, I did a friend a favor - which took a bit longer then I expected - but I got a free breakfast out of it. A little warmer again.

Today was for me. Another warm day, though the sun was only able to break through a couple of times. I stopped at Shoprite first. I picked up some cat food and then checked out the batteries. I remembered to bring the dead one from the clock and - although the numbers didn't match - I was able to compare the size and picked one out.

I stopped at KMart and checked out the cookware. I was hoping for something lighter but wound up buying a microwavable, Pyrex bowl that was on sale for half-price.

I drove out of the lot feeling good. As I turned right, I noticed this guy.

I couldn't tell if he was on his phone or not. It didn't matter. I passed him by.

I took the next right onto New Brunswick and then a left onto Inman. I was just listening to the radio and enjoying the day. That's when I saw this guy.

He looked like he was doing what I was doing. I drove by.

I made the left on Grove. There's a strip mall with a Stop-N-Shop on the right and a senior citizen's development on the left so the road has several sets of rumble strips to slow cars down. This woman was crossing there.

I stopped. She waved at me. I waved back, smiling. When she got on the sidewalk, I drove on. Feeling even better.

I stopped at the library in Metuchen but didn't find anything. I headed back home along Rout 27.

I was coming up on the right turn on Parsonage when I noticed this person coming in my direction.

I didn't know where he was coming from or where he was going but he was out there walking. I took the right and then the next left.

I stopped at Subway's for a tuna on Italian bread with lettuce, tomatoes, onion, sweet peppers, and mayonnaise. I drove home.

I went out to get a microwavable bowl and I found it.

I went out to get a battery and I found it.

I went out to enjoy the warmth of the coming Spring and I found it.

It Makes Me Happy .............

Like the song says .."Sunshine came softly through my window today." There it was, peeping through my bedroom blinds, for the first time in days. Sunshine at last.

It made me feel happy.

It was cold out when I left my apartment, of course, and the wind made it feel colder, but that sunlight made up for any discomfort I was feeling. I only had one place to go today but I was gonna take my time getting there.

I stopped at the Dunkin' Donuts on St. George and ate my breakfast at a table by the junction of two windows. I could feel the warmth of the sun through them. I was happy eating there.

I drove up into Rahway and stopped at the library. Because of the snow piles, I parked closer to the back then I usually do so I went into that entrance. There was a woman just ahead of me.

We were too close to the door and I couldn't see if anyone was in the foyer. I followed her in. She took the elevator and I took the stairs. I didn't get anything.

On the way out, I passed this guy.

I looked around, then turned back towards him.

Point, press, Flash.

I got back in my car and headed towards Inman Avenue feeling happy.

I stopped at the Colonia Branch of the Woodbridge Library. I didn't find anything interesting. I got back on Inman and headed towards Edison. I took a left on Grove. Up ahead,  I saw this woman.

When I got closer, I noticed that she was on the phone. I never bother people on their phones - it's one of the few rules I follow. I continued on Grove and stopped at the North Edison Library. I was happy to find a copy of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" for $.25.

I took Grove to Route 27 and stopped at the Metuchen Library. Again, nothing there caught my eye.
I headed up Main Street and made a left on Amboy. This took me from Metuchen into the Clara Barton section of Ford's. This is a quiet area full of tree-lined streets. I was coming to a stop at a street light when I saw this guy coming up on my driver's side.

As the light turned green .....

Point, press, Flash.

It happens that way, every now and then. I was happy with it.

I headed towards Walmart. That was the only place I needed to go today.( Now, I know that a lot of my friends and family refuse to shop there but that's where my pharmacy is. They've been extremely helpful with all of my prescriptions since the transplant 6 years ago and I like their automated system for renewals and notifications.)

I pulled into their lot and, again, had to deal with the huge mounds of snow there. I parked a little further away then I usually do. That's where I saw this guy getting into his car.

The sun was still shining brightly and the wind had died down. I went inside and chatted with the counter girl as she got my refill for me.

To get out of the lot, I had to drive around to the side of the building. That's where I saw this guy.

I had no idea why he was walking there. It was such a nice day out and yet there he was - all alone. He looked cold. Maybe he felt miserable.

Point, press, Flash.

Sometimes, I get a chance to help someone out.

It makes me happy.

Unexpected ...............

We just got through the "Great" Blizzard of 2015.

In my area the prediction was for 18 to 24 inches. We got about 6. The low amount was unexpected but I was happy that it was because I could deal with that. I went out around 11 in the morning and spent about 1/2 an hour digging out and cleaning off my car. I didn't go anywhere, just cleaned it off. No one else had done their cars yet and I didn't want to lose the spot.

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This morning was cold but sunny and I left my house about 8:30. The car started right up but I sat for a while warming her up. I noticed that almost every other car in the area had been cleaned off and dug out. Since most folks would be going to work today, I was hopeful that I'd get a decent parking spot when I got back. At least that was what I was expecting.

I took Rahway to Freeman and headed towards Shoprite. There were a few things I wanted to get and I usually start there. Near the High School, I came across this woman.

It dawned on me that this may be the same woman I saw at the beginning of the month. At that time, I thought she might have made a resolution to walk each day as exercise. It must be below 20 degrees out there and the wind was pretty harsh.

Good for her.

I drove on.

I picked up shampoo, shaving cream, garlic powder, and the paper. I was still looking for a microwaveable bowl with a vented lid, so I drove down St. George's to the KMart/Pathmark strip mall. Just as I got there, I came up behind this guy walking in the street.

I could see that the nearby sidewalk had been shoveled so his walking in the street annoyed me. He was too far out for me to pass him without cutting into the left lane and there was too much traffic for that. I was forced to creep along behind him until we both turned into the parking lot. He never turned around to look behind him.  I passed him on my right.

Point, press, Flash.

Neither store had the bowl I was looking for. I drove back up St. George's and stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast.

When I came out, Doyle was leaning on a Black Ford Explorer parked next to my car. This was totally unexpected.

"Hey, Denny! How'ya doin'?" He grinned.

I hadn't seen him in months - in fact I think the last time I'd heard from him was a text message back in October. But I couldn't help grinning back.

"Doyle! It's good to see you. I'm good. How're you?"
"Great, Denny. Just great. Sorry I haven't been around much." He seemed suddenly embarrassed. "There's all this stuff goin' on which I can't talk about, of course, but Mr. Jones still wants a detail on Gordon, so I'm up on what's happening with you."

I flashed on Gordon popping up at the Menlo Park Mall a couple of weeks ago.

"What do you mean by that? Keeping up on me, I mean."
"C'mon, Denny. Besides the medical stuff you've been through, I hear that there's a grandchild on the way. Congratulations, Grandpa!"

That was a relief. I smiled. "Thanks, Doyle. I'm really looking forward to it. Since the kids live near me I'm expecting to do a lot of babysitting."
"Good for you. I'm happy for you. You know, if you want to stop doing these Events, you can. You don't owe us anything. It's just...." He trailed off.
"What? ... C'mon... Don't leave me hanging... What?"
"We still kinda need you to be out there every once in a while. The shrinks still think Gordon has an obsession with you and if you stop, he might also, or he might do something totally out of character."
"I .. uh... I don't quite understand that. Since I hadn't heard from you in a while, I kinda assumed Gordon had   .. I don't know .. gone to ground, or something."
Doyle shook his head, slowly. "No. He's still out there, though he seems to be pacing himself."
"What does that mean?"
"Over the last 4 months or so, he's struck in 6 different places, stretching from southern Delaware to Northern New Jersey. As usual, there's no rhyme or reason to where or when he strikes." He stopped, and slouched against the Explorer for a few seconds before straightening up again. "But, like I said, Mr. Jones insists on pursuing him so I have to keep a team on it and the shrinks feel that you're an integral part of things. So .... do what you can, Denny. I'll cover for the rest."
I had to smile. "Let's be honest here, Doyle. I like what I'm doing. When the grandchild comes along, sure, I'll have other obligations, but I'll still have my alone time. Don't worry about it."
He grinned. "I knew that. It's just that we're kinda stretched thin right now so I'm glad to know I can count on you."
His phone went off and he checked it.
"I gotta go, Denny. Congrats again."

We shook hands and he got into the car and drove off.

I realized that we'd been standing in the cold all that time and got into my car to warm up. I decided to check out the Thrift Shop in South Plainfield for the microwaveable bowl. I took Route 1 to Gill Lane and turned right. I saw this woman outside of a QuikChek.

She was trucking along, wearing some kind of modified kind of snow shoes. Something I never expected to see. I made the left and then then next right on Wood.

I took this up to Inman and made the left. I saw this woman walking in the street, heading towards me.

I could see that the sidewalks had been dug out but the corners weren't. I didn't blame her.

I drove on.

When I got to the Thrift Store parking lot, I saw this guy.

All I could think was ... "That sucks." Your car starts, you drive somewhere, then your car dies. Definitely not something you expect.

I didn't find a bowl there and was on my way out when my phone rang. It was my landlord. He said that he couldn't find an entry for my rent this month. I knew that I'd paid it - in fact I'd recently balanced my checkbook and saw the entry. He asked, if I could get a copy for him and I said I would.

This was really unexpected and I was going to go back to my bank when I remembered that they had a branch office nearby. I stopped in and got 2 copies of the cancelled check.

I called my landlord back and made sure he was in his office. It's on Main Street in Metuchen. I drove down there. I gave him the copy and he apologized. I told him not to worry about it. Stuff happens. But we both understood that now he owes me one. An unexpected bonus when you're a renter.

I headed back down Main towards Amboy. I saw this guy up ahead.

He was on the sidewalk not in the street. Still, there was no one around.

Point, press, Flash.

I headed down Amboy to Woodbridge Avenue, then Main Street to Rahway. I turned into my street and found a spot on the next block.

Sometimes things happen the way you want them too and sometimes things are .........

Unexpected.

Factors involved .........

When I got up this morning it was cold. The indoor/outdoor thermometer in my living room said it was 19 out there. I used to believe that, but now I know that there are other factors involved. Let me explain.

When I was a kid it was simple - it was hot in the summer and cold in the winter and my parents told me what to wear. When I got older - say by my teenage years - I learned how the temperature was measured by a thermometer. At that point, to me, it was hot if it was over 90 (and really bad if it was over 95), and it was cold if it was under 36 (and really cold if it was under 30).

Now, that I'm older I've noticed that the TV Meteorologists have added a few new elements. In the summer, in addition to the temperature, they've added the THI - the Temperature Humidity Index. That means that although the temperature may be 90, the humidity might make it feel like 100. In the winter they've added the WCF - the Wind Chill Factor. Which means that although it's only 35, it feels like 25. These are just some other factors involved..

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I've mentioned before that I have a Saturday routine, and I started out early this morning. I had agreed to dog-sit for some friends for the next two days. I waited until they left then drove over there and dropped off my stuff so I could get back to what I liked.

I stopped at Shoprite first. It was the last day of a Progresso sale and I wanted to pick up some French Onion Soup.

I stopped at Wawa's for gas.

I've been watching the price drop steadily for weeks now. I'm not sure why it's happening and I don't know how long it will last. I'm sure there are various economic factors involved.

I picked up the paper and had breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts.

I hadn't seen anyone walking around outside but I figured that the cold had kept people inside.

I headed to the Menlo Park Mall to sit back, finish my coffee, read the paper, and do the crossword puzzles. They still haven't finished setting up the area I prefer to sit in, so I took my second favorite spot. It's near the central fountain on the main floor, next to a cell-phone charger. There are 2 arm chairs there and I like to sit on the right side so I can put my coffee up on the stand.

I opened my paper and checked out my Quick-pick Mega Millions ticket first. No luck.

I scanned the news, checked out the funnies, finished the first crossword puzzle (the Star Ledger, my local paper, has two) and started on the second when - out of the corner of my eye - I noticed someone take the chair on the other side of the charger.

"Hello Denny! Happy New Year! Please don't react to me in any way. Just continue with your puzzle."

Gordon.

"Hey .... ah ... Gordon ....I'm not sure what you want me to do here."
"Just keep on doing your puzzle and I'll pretend to check out some stuff on my phone."
"OK. ... So ... how've you been? I haven't heard from you in a while."
"I've been busy, of course. Things didn't quite work out last year so I'm trying to come up with an alternate plan."

 I thought about that for a bit and then it hit me.

"That's right. You told me that everything would be over by the end of the year. So ... what happened?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him flinch a little.
"He was supposed to be at a New Year's Eve party at the Woodbridge Hilton. It was being thrown by the Republican Party of Middlesex County. He didn't show up .... said something came up ... some terrorist activity or some other crap." His voice was starting to rise and he stopped to get himself under control. "I was all set, too."

I didn't know how to respond to that, so I didn't. I waited for him.

"You know, Denny, you can make all kinds of plans but, sometimes, there are other factors involved."
"Yeah. I guess so. What're you gonna do now? And who are you talking about?"
"I'm gonna have to rearrange some things, is all. I'll get him. You can bet on it."

Just then his phone went off.
"Hah. I gotta get this. I've been waiting for it."
As he checked his phone, I took a quick photo but, because of the angle, I didn't get his face.

He stood up abruptly.
"I gotta go but I'll be in touch. Glad to see you're doing good. See ya around, Denny."
He left before I could reply.

I sat there for a while trying to figure out what he was talking about but I couldn't come up with any answers. I got up to go back to the house.

I wasn't going to let it bother me.
 There were too many factors involved.

Calm And Bright .................

It's the first morning of the first day of the first month of the new year.

I couldn't help thinking - as I watched the broadcast from Time's Square last night - that a lot of the crowd were there not just to see in the new year but to make sure the old one left. It wasn't one of the best, considering the volume of horrible situations that filled the news broadcasts and the papers.

Still, the sun was shining brightly and I left my apartment with a sense of hope for this year, especially since it will bring a new addition to my extended family. It was cold out but there was no wind so it didn't feel as bad as yesterday. If I was someone who goes out to walk, jog, or run, I would've called it exhilarating. I'm not, of course, but I did enjoy the quiet as I sat in the car while it warmed up.

I drove up to Shoprite and was struck by something I noticed - there was practically no traffic and very few people about. I know it's a holiday but it was as if the world decided to sleep in.

Well, most of the world.

I saw this woman walking in my direction as I passed by the local High School.

She had that purposeful stride that, I imagine, someone who decided to exercise in the new year must have. I drove on by. Far be it for me to ruin her resolution.

I picked up a few things and stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast.

Then I decided to just drive around. I didn't need anything and I didn't have to be anywhere but I was feeling good.

I took the long way up St. George to Main Street, then down Main to Amboy. I didn't have the radio on and I actually made every light. I was enjoying this, and I began to see some people out and about.

Along Amboy, in the Clara Barton section, I saw this guy sitting on a bench.

He was waiting for the bus, I guessed, and was probably headed for work. Not everyone has the holidays off. I wished him well and drove on.

There's a lot to be said about just driving around when very few cars are sharing the road with you and you're hitting the lights.

 It feels great.

There's a freedom to it.

But ............ if you're smart you'll realize that you're doing 60 in a 25 MPH zone and slow down.

I turned up Gill in the direction of Route 1. This is a narrow, winding road that cuts through a cemetery. Up ahead, I saw this guy coming in my direction.

I couldn't come up with a reason for why he was out here.

Point, press, Flash.

I headed for home. There were more cars out now, and more people.

The moment, I guess, was over.

That's when the Christmas Carol "Silent Night" crossed my mind. It's about that one perfect, peaceful night. I couldn't help applying the lyrics to this morning. It was ...

calm and bright.