Rain ..................

It looked like it was gonna rain when I woke up this morning. They predicted it, but for later in the day. I was kinda hoping it would. I've replaced a front head light and the windshield wipers and I'd like to see how they work.

My morning rituals continue to include bandaging my forehead.

I met with my oncologist and plastic surgeons last week, separately of course. The oncologist said they got everything and it looked clean, but that's what he said the last time and it grew back. (If the radiology people suggest it, I think I'll opt for some this time). The plastic surgeon said my forehead looked good and I could wash it now with soap and water then continue to apply the bacitracin ointment. As far as the bandaging was concerned, I didn't need it at home and he'd be OK with my not wearing them out. To me, my forehead is still "a work in progress" so I decided to continue the bandaging when I go out.

I had a scrip to pick up at my pharmacist's in Walmart but they wouldn't open until 9. I decided to kill some time by running some quick errands. I drove up into Avenel and stopped at the Post Office to mail my electric bill. I took some back streets, heading towards the Wawa's on Route 9 and saw this guy up ahead.

It was quiet back here - no one around.

Point, press, Flash.

I stopped at the Wawa's and had the tank filled up. $3.09 a gallon. Not bad. I decided to swing by Shoprite. It hadn't started raining yet but I could feel the dampness in the air. Turned out they had Campbell's Chunky Soups on sale, 4 for $5. I picked up some New England Clam Chowder, a Sausage and Chicken Gumbo, and some Jambalaya. (The Gumbo and Jambalaya are new and - I'm hoping - as tasty as the pictures on the cans look.)

I drove up to Walmart, picked up my scrip, and stopped at the near-by Dunkin' Donuts. I had a decaf coffee (my first of the season) and a blueberry muffin.

It still hadn't rained so I headed for Metuchen. I drove along Amboy Avenue and saw this guy walking his bike along the sidewalk.

I didn't know why he wasn't riding it, but we were the only ones around.

Point, press, Flash.

I took the next right, cut over to Fords Avenue and, after a couple of turns, took Woodbridge Center Drive to Route 27, still heading towards Metuchen.

It was starting to drip now, but not enough to use the lights or wipers.

Route 27 along here is known as Lincoln Highway. I was still in Edison when I came up behind this guy.

I was tempted but it was just too open. I drove on into Metuchen and stopped at the library. I didn't find anything interesting and, since it was only 11, I decided to just drive around for a while.

I made a few left turns and got on to Main Street and actually stopped to take this picture.

Looks like Autumn is coming on fast.

I decided to head for home and drove up through Colonia and Iselin.

It misted for a while so I did get to try my wipers and lights.

As I sit here now writing this, I look out the window and there it is ...

Rain.

Running Some Errands ..................

After the surgery last week, I was a bit self-conscious about the bandaging so I kept a low profile. As I mentioned in the last post, those bandages were removed this past Monday and replaced by a coating of bacitracin ointment covered by a couple of non-stick pads and wrapped in gauze. Starting on Tuesday, I did the daily bandaging myself, which was basically the same but without the gauze wrapping.

Although, as I mentioned, the bandages covered my forehead, I was no longer self-conscious about them and started going to some of my usual places - including Dunkin' Donuts where the counter girl asked about them. I kinda shrugged it off because she knew me, but it's happened every day since then.

For instance, yesterday I went to the Verizon store by the Woodbridge Center Mall. I'd bought a phone there several years ago that came with a package of screen covers. The one I had on my phone had gotten scratched up a lot over the years and I couldn't figure out how to replace it myself. As I sat there waiting for my name to be called, the manager came out and took a long look at me.
"Weren't you here yesterday?", she asked. "You look very familiar."
I looked up at her and saw the reaction in her eyes. She saw the bandages under my cap. "Nope... Sorry.... I think you really would have recognized me."
She got a bit flustered and I got my screen cover replaced.
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Have you ever noticed that when you run out of something you start to notice other things that you're really running low on? That happened to me this morning. Actually, I didn't run out of toilet paper but when I put in a new roll and it's the last one it's time to restock. Then, while I was washing my hair, shaving, and replacing the bandages, I realized that I was gonna need some bar soap. And, while I was at it, I could use some new kitchen sponges.

Today would be a day for running errands.

It was a little before 8 when I left. I had several stops to make but most of them weren't open yet. I headed to Shoprite first. I took Rahway to Freeman towards St. George. On Freeman, I saw this guy mowing his lawn.

Judging by the condition of his grass it looked like he was gonna be busy for a while. I drove on by. I was only out today to run some errands.

I bought a four-pack of toilet paper (store brand, two ply) and a package of scrubber sponges (a 3-pack with a bonus sponge thrown in) for what I thought were reasonable prices but I couldn't bring myself to buy the soap there. I knew where I could get it cheaper.

I drove down St. George, made the right on Main, and stopped at the Loewe's strip mall. They have a Dollar Store there. I picked up a 2-pack of Irish Spring for $1. It was getting close to 9 when the Pharmacy at Walmart would open.

I've used this Pharmacy since July of 2008, when I was first diagnosed, and I've never had a problem.Sure, there's been some personnel changes but they've always made sure that I had what I needed even if they were still waiting for authorization for a renewal.

There was some roadwork being done to the main entrance so I had to drive around back.As I pulled in, this guy was just up ahead of me, not paying too much attention to where he was or what he was doing.

I just drove on by. I had a prescription to pick up and I needed some over-the-counter stuff.

(Interestingly, the new pharmacist was the only one there when I got to the counter and she started up the system. She doesn't know me yet so I had to go through the "name-and-date-of-birth" routine. After a minute or two, the young girl who normally works the register came in and, as soon as she saw me , asked what had happened to my head.)

My next stop would be the Woodbridge Main Library but, since this is August, I knew that they wouldn't open until 10. I had time for breakfast so I figured on just going to the nearby Dunkin' Donuts. I cut through a couple of parking lots to get there and came across this guy loading some stuff in his trunk.

I figured he was doing what I was doing - running some errands. I drove by.

I don't go to this Dunkin' Donuts often but I enjoyed my breakfast and, surprisingly, they were giving away the paper for free.

It was about 20 minutes to 10 when I headed for the Library. The fastest way is to take Ford's Avenue to Route 1 and cut through the Shoprite parking lot to St. George. I had all 4 windows open and was enjoying the day. I even slid back the sun roof even though I should stay out of the sun. I figured that I deserved a little break. Just up ahead I could see this woman jogging.

She was enjoying the day, too. I drove on by.

I got to the Library a few minutes before 10, parked in the small side lot, and joined the 4 or 5 people waiting by the front door. I was here to print out a copy of my checking account statement and to make some copies of a log sheet that I use to keep track of my daily vital signs - blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, and weight.

I do this every month.

(I know .... I can look at my checking account on-line, and I do, but I'm kinda anal about balancing my check book). The woman at the check-in desk remembered my name but made no comment about my bandages. It only took about 10 minutes to get the printout and make the copies.

Doyle was standing by my car when i got back to the lot.
"Hey, Denny! Nice wheels!" He gestured behind him.
We shook hands.
"Thanks, Doyle. I got lucky and it was a good price."
"So I understand." He chuckled... Seriously ... He chuckled.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, when you registered the car you put down that the purchase price was $50. I'm just sayin' that seems like a really good price for a '99 Honda Civic."

He had me there so I tried changing the subject.
"So .... is everything OK? I haven't heard from you in, like, a month and it must be closer to two since I've seen you. Have things changed with Gordon?"
He shook his head.
"Nope. Nothing new there. He's still keeping us busy in the Delmarva area. He's like 'The Scarlet Pimpernel'."

I was kinda stumped by that. I knew who the character was, of course, but I was surprised that Doyle would make that kind of reference.
"Wait .. What? Where did that come from?"
He grinned. "I read. Well .... I used to read, when I had the time. I think the quote goes ..'They seek him here, they seek him there. Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven or is he in hell? That demned elusive Pimpernel.'"
"HA! You never cease to amaze me." I thought about that for a second or two. "So, if there's nothing new there then why are you here, Doyle?"
He looked embarrassed. "Well, to be honest, I felt bad that I wasn't able to come up last week after your surgery but this was the best I could do. I understand that everything went well but I wanted to know how you were doing."

I told him everything that had happened since last week and he didn't interrupt, just nodded from time to time. When I was done, he actually slapped me on the shoulder.
"Good for you, Denny. Happy to know you can change a bandage by yourself."

I understood what he meant. We're guys. Again, I tried to change the topic.
OK. So .... what are the plans going forward?"

He grinned. He understood, too.
"We keep doin' what we've been doin'. I don't know any other way."
"OK, then. .... Good luck, Doyle." I stuck out my hand.
He grinned and took it, then walked down the hill to where I could see a black SUV parked. He got in and drove away.

I got in to my own car and sat there for a few minutes. It's funny what can happen when all you planned to do was ...

running some errands.

Almost Back To Normal ...................

I've mentioned before that I've been had this situation with a recurring carcinoma on my forehead, just above my left eyebrow. Well, a week ago I went down to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for some same-day surgery. (Thankfully, my daughter drove me down and stayed through the whole process.) I was knocked out completely but, I understand, the Oncologist went first and the Plastic Surgeon finished up with the reconstruction. When I came to in Recovery, I had this incredibly ugly-looking set of bandages covering my entire forehead and instructions on not getting it wet until I got to see the Plastic Surgeon again.

I had to wait until yesterday for the office visit, which meant that I couldn't wash my hair and was reduced to sponge baths for this past week. Thankfully, I found an old Rangers cap that I could wear over the bandages  so that I didn't feel too self-conscious going outside.

Yesterday, one of the nurses took off the bandages and the doctor took out some staples and some stitches (both of which I was unaware of). He said that everything looked good. Then the nurse applied some more bandages, wrapped my head in gauze, and gave me an appointment for two weeks from now. I would have to change the bandages myself every day until then but at least I won't have to use the gauze "turban".
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This morning, to be honest, I was a little concerned about the bandages but everything went well. I washed my hair, shaved, and put on the new dressings without a problem. Of course, the new bandages still cover my entire forehead but they're nowhere near as conspicuous as the prior ones.

I was feeling good and I decided to take a ride and see what would happen.

I was tempted right off the bat. While getting into my car, I noticed this guy doing some landscaping across the street.

Conditions were good but it was just too close to home. I drove away. I stopped at Shoprite and wound up buying a sandwich that I could have for supper. This meant that I would need to swing back by my place to put it in the refrigerator. I took Freeman Street back and, as I stopped at the sign on Church Street, I saw this guy across the street.

This is one of those strange intersections where you really have to look around for traffic before proceeding. There was no one around and I made the left turn.

Point, press, Flash.

I dropped off the sandwich and headed towards the Dunkin' Donuts in Avenel. This would be the first time since the surgery that I felt comfortable enough to eat out. I had a Ham and Cheese Breakfast Wrap and a medium Iced Tea. Although the counter-girl did notice the bandage under my cap and asked about it, no one else paid any attention to me. As usual, I had a book with me and just sat there enjoying my breakfast. When I was done, I decided to head towards the Metuchen Library.

I drove up the block and made the right turn heading towards Avenel Street. That's where I saw this guy.

There was no one around but, as I watched this old guy push himself to keep going up the hill, I decided to drive by. I figured that if he could drag himself out to take a walk who was I to interrupt him.

Avenel Street becomes Chain-of-Hills Road which turns right into New Dover. As I drove along I could see that some of the side streets were closed due to different kinds of street work. On a whim, I turned up Wood Avenue and came across this guy working on some overhead wires.

This one was easy.

Point, press, Flash.

I kept going and made a left onto Inman.

I stopped at the library and picked up 2 new books. I thought about heading towards South Plainfield and the thrift store up there but decided against it.

I headed home, taking Main Street to Route 27. When I got to Grove Street, I made the right and headed up to Amboy Avenue. No particular reason, just enjoying the ride. That's when I saw this guy heading towards me.

It was quiet. It was peaceful. And he was already in the shadows.

Point, press, Flash.

I made the left on Amboy, the Right on Woodbridge, and followed that around to Rahway, parking on Claire.

It had been a good day and I was feeling ..

almost back to normal.

They Remain The Same.......

Over the last couple of weeks several things that I've had for years just stopped working.

 First, it was the Blood Pressure Monitor that they gave me when I left the hospital back in December of 2008. I had to replace that. It's a different unit but the readout is the same.

Then, there was the pedometer that I've been using since early '09 but I didn't replace that. Frankly, I really haven't been keeping track of how far I walk each day so wearing the pedometer was more of a habit.

Then my watch stopped. I thought about not replacing it but I've worn one for over 50 years and that quick-glance-at-the-wrist gesture is hard to break. Besides, I prefer analog to digital when it comes to telling time. I had to replace it. It's a different color but the make and model is the same.

Now we come to the big one.

A week ago Thursday, I dropped off my car because I had a problem starting her up in the morning. When I went back Friday morning, my mechanic showed me that there was a gas leak in the engine and said that I was lucky that she hadn't burst into flames while I was driving. He'd never seen this before and it would cost at least $600 to fix the problem, assuming he could get the part from the Dealer. (I know what you might be thinking, but I trust this guy. He's treated me well over the years.)  He said he'd hold onto her until I decided what to do.

Of course, I would have to replace her, but I wasn't sure how. That's when I got lucky. A friend was selling a car to someone else who had an older car but was going to donate it. Long story short, I got the older car which, interestingly enough, is still newer then the car I had. The price was "minimal".

And this was how things went.

This past Tuesday, we all got together to arrange the exchange.

There was a lot of hurry-up-and-wait, and we had some trouble getting the plates off both cars, but Tuesday night is the late night at the MVC and we got all the paperwork done. I drove home in a 1999 Honda Civic.

Wednesday morning I went back to my mechanic. He agreed to just take the car and sell it for parts and I spent some time emptying the trunk and cleaning out the inside.

I drove away, leaving my old 1991 Chrysler New Yorker behind. I still had some things to take care of.

I ran a couple of quick errands then stopped at the Woodbridge Municipal Center. Because of the easy access to New York City by bus or train, we have some interesting parking restrictions where I live. I needed to get a Resident Parking Permit Sticker for my window so that I wouldn't get ticketed.

The last thing I had to do was to return the license plates (I had agreed to return them all). I went to the MVC office in South Plainfield and the whole exchange took less then 5 minutes.

Thursday and Friday were spent getting used to the "new" car - adjusting the driver's seat and the mirrors, learning the lights and wipers, just getting comfortable. I found out that the radio didn't work, which wasn't a big deal since the radio in the Chrysler didn't work either. (Again, a friend tried to help me out but that didn't work out).

When I woke up this morning it was raining but it had stopped by the time I went out. I had a few errands to run and was in no rush.

I stopped at the Post Office in Avenel and mailed my rent check.

I stopped at Shoprite for the paper.

I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast.

I stopped at the Menlo Park Mall and sat in a comfortable chair in one of the side courts, reading the paper and doing the crossword puzzle (It's sort of a Saturday ritual for me.). When I left there, the sun had broken through. I took the long way home, enjoying the ride and the hum of the engine. That's when I saw this woman up ahead.

I couldn't resist.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove on. I was feeling good. Maybe 10 minutes later I saw this guy up ahead.

I caught up to him just as he reached the trees.

Point, press, Flash.

I headed for home.

I was thinking that over the last week or so I'd had to change my Blood Pressure Monitor but the display was the same. I'd had to change my watch but the make and model was the same. I'd had to change my car but the color and number of doors stayed the same. It just goes to show - the more things change, the more ...

They remain the same.

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

I've fallen back on some old routines lately, like going to certain places on certain days and following the same routes to get there. Eating the same things. Stuff like that. But, over the last couple of weeks, some things have happened that were ..... unexpected.

For instance, I had a Dermatologist's appointment that I thought would be just a quick follow-up. He'd removed a small spot from over my left cheek bone 3 weeks ago and I figured he'd say things looked good. Instead, he said it was definitely a squamous cell carcinoma and excised a larger area.

I was not expecting that.

And .... this past Sunday, I got a call from my Pharmacy. They noticed that I had a prescription that was due and wanted to know if I'd be refilling it.

Now that kind of service is really unexpected.

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I had some errands to run today and, since I'd gotten up early, I figured to just take my time. I drove up Rahway Avenue into Avenel and stopped at the Post Office. It's a personal quirk of mine. If I have something to mail, I prefer to drop it into the slot inside the Office and the vestibule opens at 8 to accommodate box holders. I left there and took some side streets towards Shoprite.

These are two-way streets and very narrow so, with cars parked on both sides, only one car at a time can drive through. I don't mind pulling to the side to allow an oncoming car to go first but I expect a hand wave in acknowledgement, which I rarely get. Today, the passenger in the car I let through waved and the next car pulled over to allow me through (which I acknowledged).

I was pleasantly surprised at this unexpected behavior.

Further along, a guy in a pickup truck pulled out of a side street behind me and started to crowd me. He even had the nerve to pound on his horn. I pulled over and let him pass but I fell in behind him. A block or two later, we came to a red light where there was also a left turn only lane. I pulled up next to him.

He didn't look at me but I looked at him.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove on but he didn't.

I bet he didn't expect that.

I stopped at Shoprite and, as I got out of my car, I noticed a Health Department van that had parked in such a way as to block in a particular car. The officer was standing outside looking around. As I passed, I realized that there was a dog locked inside the car and the officer was waiting for the owner. I went inside, picked up what I needed, and left. By now, a police car had joined the Health Department van and both officers were standing there.

I wondered if they had gone inside and had an announcement made. I hadn't heard anything while I was inside.

There have been a lot of stories lately about children or pets locked inside cars but I never expected to see one.

I stopped at Walmart to pick up my prescriptions and took Amboy Avenue towards Metuchen. I made a right onto Main Street and another Right onto Library Street. The Library wouldn't be open for about 15 minutes but there was this one guy in the parking lot, rummaging through whatever he had in the back of his car. I passed by and drove around the block. He was still there.

I didn't expect that, but I didn't pass up the opportunity.

Point, press, Flash.

I decided to swing by Barnes & Noble's to see if they had anything by Charles Portis. I'd just read his "True Grit" and enjoyed it (Yes, I did see the John Wayne version but I always like to read the source material when I can). I wasn't going to buy anything but I did want to read any of the blurbs to see if I might be interested. I was in the Fiction section, walking through the aisles, when I noticed this guy.

I've mentioned before that I don't like to see people sitting there, reading like this was a library. I walked down past Graphic Novels and turned into Mysteries. I came up behind him.

That's when I heard the voice behind me.

"Let him be, Denny. It's hot outside."

Gordon.

I turned but before I could say anything he blurted out .. "What the hell happened to your face?"
I explained the whole Dermatologist/Oncologist/Plastic Surgeon thing. It took a few minutes but he didn't interrupt - just nodded occasionally. When I was done he suggested that we go downstairs to the Starbucks for some coffee. I passed on the coffee but agreed to sit down with him.

We lucked into a table and, after he'd gotten his coffee, he started right in.

"So ... have you heard from your friend Doyle lately?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." I hoped I sounded sincere.
He grinned. "I know more then you think I do, Denny. I've known for a while that Doyle has been in touch with you - on and off. I appreciate your loyalty to him. I hope you've given me the same courtesy." He sipped his coffee.

I mulled that over but decided not to answer. Instead, I said, "Why are you here? I mean ... why put yourself at risk by approaching me out in the open like this?"
"I'm not at risk here. Doyle's boys may be out in the parking lot but they're not in here. I'm pretty sure of that."
"How can you be sure?"
"I've spent the last two months running around and having some fun down in Delaware and Pennsylvania. I'm pretty sure Doyle is down there now waiting for my next appearance. My guess would be that he's only got a skeleton crew following you."
I remembered that when Doyle called last he was out of state. I don't know where Gordon was getting his information but he was on the mark.
"OK. I'll buy that", I said, " So, why are you here now? I haven't seen you in months and, besides, you usually just surprise me in my own apartment."

He'd been drinking his coffee this whole time - almost gulping it - and he finished it now. He got up, threw the cup away, then sat down again, looking me straight in the eyes.

"I've been playing a little game with Doyle. Did he tell you? A couple of months ago, I would unmask my tracker to allow his people to get a "look" at me, usually within a few feet of you. I'll bet he told you .... you can admit it."
I nodded. He nodded also, and went on, although now he seemed be twitching a bit.
"Then I went down to Delaware .... but I told you that already." He started to look around.
"Is something bothering you, Gordon?"
"No ... no ... of course not." He Laughed, but it was forced. "I came here for a reason, Denny."

He leaned across the small table and whispered, "I wanted you to know that everything will be straightened out by the end of the year. Yes .... that's it ... the end of the year."

He stood quickly, turned, and left.

I sat there for a while trying to figure out what just happened.

That was totally unexpected.

In The Mid-day Sun.................

Doyle called last night. He's out of town but he wanted me to know that he's heard about the carcinoma that has grown back again. He said he knew it would have to be cut out - again - and that a plastic surgeon would need to be there to help with the closing. He had his people check the guy out and he's one of the best so I shouldn't worry. I thanked him for that and we hung up. I won't actually meet the plastic surgeon until Monday and then he'll call the oncologist to schedule the procedure. I'll just have to sweat it out and, in this weather, that's pretty easy.
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I was out very early this morning. Partly because I had some things to do and didn't want to be out too long in this heat. Partly due to the sound of a mower coming through my open windows at 7:30. I fed the cat, dressed lightly, and took my stuff - including 3 extra bottles of water and a package of mini-muffins - to the car. As I pulled out, I saw the source of the mower sound.

My windows were open already.

Point, press, Flash.

The first thing I wanted to do was to get my wash done so I headed directly to the Laundromat, located in the Shoprite strip mall. I like this place because they use a card-operated system so I don't have to bother saving up quarters and - since I usually go mid-week and early - it's not very crowded. Plus, I can get whatever shopping I need done while the wash in on.

Half an hour later, my wash was done and I dropped it off back at my apartment. Whatever breeze we had earlier is gone now and I can feel the humidity.

Next, I headed to the Main Library in Woodbridge. On the way, I came across this woman.

I don't know why she was out walking but at least she was on the shady side.

When I got to the library I asked to use one of their computers. I'd found the website for the plastic surgeon and they had a link to a PDF file with all the forms necessary for new patients. I don't have my own printer so - whenever I need to - I use the library's. This way, I'll fill them out ahead of time rather then go through that hassle you get on a first visit.

I left there and headed up to Avenel. I wanted to pay my cable bill. I could start to really feel the heat on my left arm and tried to move it out of the way, not very successfully. I made a right onto Remsen Ave. and another right onto Lord St. There was this guy working on his front lawn.

 He was using one of those loud, gas-powered weed whackers and the noise and fumes were obnoxious.

Point, press, Flash.

I parked on Mina St., dropped my payment in the box, and drove off.

I got gas at the Wawa Station on Route 9. $3.39. Not bad.

I had one more stop to make but it was only a little after 10, although the heat and humidity have been building. I've been drinking my water and eating my muffins so I decided to take the long way through Woodbridge Center. I entered off the Drive and cut through the Sears lot. That's where I saw this guy.

Smart guy, I thought. Taking his time. Staying in the shade.

I got back on the Drive and, after a few turns, got onto New Dover Road. At the intersection with Chain-of-Hills Road, where I was going to make my left, I saw this guy up ahead. I was ready when I made my turn.

Point, press, Flash.

I could feel the sweat on my back now. I headed for my last stop.

I picked up a 12-inch Tuna sub on Italian with lettuce, tomato, onion, sweet peppers, and mayo from the Subways near Pathmark. I headed home. I figured I'd be in by 11:30 at the latest.

In this kind of weather I always remember that, according to Noel Coward, only mad dogs and Englishmen go out ..

in the mid-day sun.

A Good Mood ............................

I woke up this morning in a good mood. Early in the week it was hot and I slept fitfully but last night it cooled off. I slept well. Like I said, I woke up in a good mood.

I should've known it wouldn't last.

I had a few places to go to but no real plan for the day. The sun was out but there was a nice breeze and I figured to just drive around with the windows open and the radio on. I'd take the long way around in between stops. I drove up Rahway to Freeman and headed towards Shoprite. That's when this idiot cut across in front of me.

I was only doing about 25, but he came damn close to the front of my car. Of course, if I'd hit him it would've been my fault not his. I had the Flasher ready, but there were people out at the minivan up ahead and I didn't have the opportunity. I passed by.

My good mood was starting to slip.

After Shoprite, I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast. I sat inside enjoying a Chocolate Chip muffin and a medium Iced Tea, reading my book. I decided to head down Chain-of-Hills Road to New Dover.

As I got close to Wood Avenue, an Edison Township dump truck turned out of a side street right in front of me. The speed limit along here is posted as 25 but this guy was only doing about 10. I was stuck behind him for about 15 minutes while my mood rapidly soured. Finally, he turned into a strip mall parking lot and I followed him in. I held back until he'd parked.

I circled around until he was on my passenger side.

Point, press, Flash.

My mood improved, slightly.

I drove out of the lot and headed towards South Plainfield.

I stopped at the Thrift Store. After looking through the shirts and jeans, I decided to check out the side room where they kept the furniture, electronics, books, etc. I don't normally look through the books but something special caught my eye - "The Sea-Hawk" by Rafael Sabatini. This is a real find. I've looked for this book - on and off - for years. I also wound up picking up two other books - both being additions to different series' that I read years ago. I paid $1.50 a piece but, to me, the Sabatini is priceless.

Definitely feeling better.

Now all I wanted was to head home and start reading. I took the same route back. That's when I saw this guy rooting around in the back of his car.

Sometimes it's just that easy.

Point, press, Flash.

Smiling now.

I kept to my route, still heading home. I came to a corner where I usually make a left turn but I was singing along to the song on the radio and decided to keep going forward.

I made the left turn several blocks later and drove through a development I was unfamiliar with. I figured to go a few blocks then take another left and, hopefully, come out on the street I intended to be on earlier. That's when I saw this guy coming towards me.

A bike rider. Just like this morning. Only this time I could do something.

Point, press, Flash.

I made the left and did find the street I was looking for. I headed for home.

There had been some disruptions but, all in all, I was feeling great. I was back in ...

a good mood.