............ Good News, Too ......................

It's been a busy week for me, with one thing leading to another.

Monday, I had my semi-annual visit to my cardiologist's. (The mid-year one is with a Nurse Practitioner.) I drove down very early and got a spot in the parking structure right next to the office. I had breakfast, read the paper, and was in the office 1/2 hour before my appointment. Everything is good and they scheduled me for a bone density test. I asked, again, about the "live virus" vaccination situation with my Granddaughter. Turns out I still can't go near her but a BBQ in the back yard or a meal in a restaurant would be OK. That saves Father's Day for me.

Tuesday was very rainy. I ran some errands and went right back home.

Wednesday, I drove into Edison and had breakfast at IHOP with my Daughter and Granddaughter. We had a nice conversation and the baby slept the whole time.

Yesterday, I drove into Metuchen for the bone density test. I've been to this place before for other tests. They're very efficient and I was in and out in less then 15 minutes.

Today, I had to pick up a prescription and there was something I wanted to check out in the Menlo Park Mall - something I thought would be cute to give to my Son-in-law for his first Father's Day.

I left my apartment a little before 8. I stopped at Shoprite and bought the paper and a package of 6 knishes that was on sale. (I've had these before. 2 minutes in the microwave and they're ready. Makes a nice side dish.) I went back home to put the knishes in the refrigerator then drove down Main Street towards WalMart - that's where my pharmacy is.

I made a left onto Ford's Avenue and saw this guy up ahead.

There was no one else around.

Point, press, Flash.

I parked in the WalMart lot and went inside. There was a line at the pharmacy counter so I wandered into the toy section thinking, maybe, to pick up something for my Granddaughter. There was a young guy stocking shelves and he asked if I needed help. I said that I was only browsing and she's only 11 weeks old. He suggested that I try the Infants section. I thanked him and walked over there.  I picked up a couple of small things that I'd give to my Son-in-law. I figured that I'd still go to Menlo anyway. I got my meds and left.

I stopped at the nearby Dunkin' Donuts and had breakfast. I drove back to Ford's and headed towards Route 1. I passed this guy sitting on the side of a 7-11.

I was too close to the front of the store. I drove on.

I parked in the enclosed lot at the mall. I still had about 15 minutes before the stores would open so I went inside with the paper and my iced tea. I figured to just relax for a while and found a chair by the fountain with a table that I could put my drink on. Friday's paper has an Entertainment Section so, after I read the news and checked my lottery ticket (I lost), I read the movie reviews. Looks like Pixar has another hit on it's hands.

Just as I started the crossword puzzle, my phone rang. This very rarely happens. It was my cardiologist's office. Now I was worried because there was no reason I could think of for them to call me. I answered it.

It was the nurse that I'd talked with originally about the "live virus" situation. The nurse who - having checked with the Transplant coordinator, the Transplant Pharmacist, and one of the new doctors on staff - told me that I couldn't go near my Granddaughter for 4 weeks. She'd just heard from the Infectious Disease Specialist that she'd reached out to when I first asked, and she had to call me right away.

The recent vaccination my Granddaughter had was for the Rota Virus. According to the Specialist, as long as I don't change any diapers for 4 weeks I'll be OK (which is what the Pediatrician told my daughter). When it comes time for the Chicken Pox shot, I'll be OK unless the baby develops lesions. There is no problem with the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) at all. This is completely different from what they told me - and, I presume, everyone else in a similar situation. I thanked her for the follow-up and texted my daughter right away.

I was too keyed up to just sit there. I stopped at the store to check out the one thing I was interested in but it wasn't worth the $20 it was priced at and, besides, I'd picked up those things at WalMart. I went back to my car. As I started the engine, I saw this guy.

I was in too good a mood and he was too far away. I drove out and turned on the radio.

This was a movie-perfect moment. The sun was shining. I had all 4 windows open and there was a nice breeze. Traffic was light. CBS-FM was on the radio (singers who are fathers is their weekend theme). I was feeling good.

At least until I came across this guy on New Dover Road.

I don't like bike riders (it's a personal thing). This guy decided to turn left into a side street when he was on the right side. I had to come to a complete stop while he did this.

At least it gave me the time to look around. It was him and I.

Point, press, Flash.

I continued on my drive home. I was still feeling great.

The old saying is that no news is good news. Well - sometimes - some news is good news, too.

Good News, Bad News ...............

I've come to realize that you only get so much good news before some bad news comes up and smacks you in the face.
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Last night was pretty hot and humid  so I decided to leave the window open along with using the fan. I don't usually since my bedroom window opens onto the front of the building and I'm on the first floor - and it was a Friday - and there's a bar across the street - but it turned out to be very quiet and I slept really well. That's the good news. The bad news was that I was up at 6:00 on a Saturday and couldn't get back to sleep.

You gotta make the best of things, so I finally got around to throwing out some cereal and snacks that I'd bought over the past year but never finished. Without even trying them, I figured they were all stale as hell. I also decided to swap out the water bottles I'd been refilling and carrying with me for a while now. I read somewhere that these tend to degrade over time so, you know, better to be safe then sorry.

That done, I had a few things I wanted to get done today so I headed up to Wegman's. I drink seltzer at home and, as I was running low, I needed to restock. (I'd already checked Shoprite and Pathmark but they had nothing on sale.) I took Main Street. Up ahead I saw this guy on my left.

It was still early and there was no one else around.

Point, press, Flash.

I pulled into the Wegman's lot. Bad news - their seltzer was not on sale. Good news - their sparkling water was. I picked up a 12-pack of Tangerine/Lime and drove back home. I put a couple of cans in the refrigerator and went back out.

I headed towards Dunkin' Donuts. I took Rahway  and turned left onto Freeman. As I approached the train track underpass I saw this woman.

Deja Vu. This was almost exactly like my first Event all those years ago except I was not on foot this time. And I was driving right past her.
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I had breakfast, picked up the paper, and headed to the Menlo Park Mall. (I call this my Saturday routine.) I got the chair to the right of the charger station, put my iced tea down, and opened the paper. I didn't win the Mega Millions. While I was reading the funnies, I was startled by a tap on the back.

"Hey, Grandpa, how're you doin'?"
"Shit! You scared the crap outa me, Doyle!"
"Oh .. sorry .... didn't realize you're so skittish."

We shook hands and he pulled over one of the other nearby chairs.

"It's not that .. it's just .. I wasn't expecting it. You took me by surprise. You haven't been around for a while, you know."
"Yeah ... well ... stuff's been happening. What with the problems with the TSA, the increase in our terrorist watch, and now the hacking of the federal computers, we've been jumping from place to place for months."

My turn to apologize.
"Sorry. I guess I should've been paying more attention to that stuff but I've been preoccupied lately."
"The granddaughter, right? How's she doin'?. I'm guessing you got pictures."

I showed him the ones I had stored in my phone while I told him about it.
"She's a real cutie, alright. She's starting to sleep better at night so she's awake more during the day, more alert. I got to babysit for her last Wednesday for a few hours and it was great."
"Sounds like you're enjoying it. I bet you're looking forward to Father's Day."

I paused and took a deep breathe.
"The babysitting on Wednesday was the good news. The bad news is that, on Thursday, she was at her Pediatrician's and he gave her a shot - a "live virus" shot."
"What's bad about that? You're not one of those anti-vaccers are you?"
"No. No. I'm not. But the week before, my daughter asked me to get the TDAP shot for Whooping Cough. To protect the baby, you know? So, I checked with my cardiologist. They OK'd the shot for me but told me that if the baby gets a "live virus" vaccine I can't go near her for a month. I can't even go into her house."

Doyle paused and sat back. Then he leaned forward.
"WOW. That sucks. But I don't understand. What does that mean, Denny? Why?"
"They tell me that after the shot she starts to shed the virus and that, since my immune system is compromised, I'm very susceptible."

We were both quiet for a few minutes. I broke it.

"Listen, Doyle, forget about it. We'll deal with it - it's just that it's happening now. Anyway, how's the .. ah .. search for Gordon?"
He looked relieved that I changed the subject. "Good news and bad news there, Denny. The good news is that he hasn't been active in months. Which is really good because we've cut back pretty hard on the staffing.  The bad news is that he's found a new way to taunt us. He's been unmasking his tracker signal for 5 or 10 minutes every couple of days or so, and he's been bouncing up and down the Mid-Atlantic area."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, one day we'll get a signal that puts him in Newark, Delaware then - 2 or 3 days later - a blip in Reading, Pennsylvania. Then outside D. C.. Then up near Blauvelt, New York...."
"Wait! You said Blauvelt, New York? .. When was that?"
He told me.
"We buried my aunt that day, up in Blauvelt."

Another pause as he took that in. He stood up.

"Seems he might still be interested in you after all, Denny. I have to get back to the office with this."

I stood, too. We shook hands. He put his other hand on my shoulder.

"Hang in there, Grandpa." He smiled.
"You too, Doyle." I smiled, too.

He walked away. I looked at my iced tea. The ice had melted. I looked at the paper but didn't feel like doing the crossword just now. There was still one more thing that I wanted to get done so I picked my stuff up and went back to the car.

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I read a lot, and I pick up a lot of books at library sales to feed my habit. Once in a while, I get a bug about a particular book that I've read already so I go right to my "stacks" - the shelves in my living room. Well, I got the itch to reread 2 different books and was frustrated when I couldn't find them at home. (It took me 2 days to go through everything.) My last errand today was to check out the used book stores that I frequent. I headed toward Metuchen. I parked on Library Street and saw this woman heading towards me.

It was pretty quiet back here, but I had something to do. I got out and walked up Main Street to the book store. I started here because he only charges $1.50 for paperbacks.

Bad news. He was on vacation. He would be open tomorrow for the Street Fair. I've been to that Fair. The parking is horrendous and I don't like crowds. I can't come on Monday because I have a doctor's appointment in New Brunswick. That means that I couldn't get back here till Tuesday. Anyone whose ever obsessed about anything knows that I can't wait that long.

I went back to my car and headed to Colonia. The used book store up there charges a percentage of the cover price but I was willing to pay. I had the radio on and the windows open. It was a nice ride on a pretty day. I could see this guy heading towards me.

I was focused on something else.

I pulled into the Foodtown parking lot and walked over to the book store. When I went in, the woman greeted me and asked if she could help. Normally, I beg off but this time I told her what I was looking for. She went right to where they were and pulled them out for me. Since these were older books and older, paperback editions, I wound up paying $1.25 each. I saved money. Good news.

I headed home and came up behind this guy on his bicycle.

He was sort of weaving back and forth and was slowing me down. I looked around as I got closer. We were the only ones around.

Point, press, Flash.

I stopped at Subways for something to eat and went home. I ate my lunch with a Tangerine/Lime sparkling water.

It's not easy but I'm started to accept the fact the you have to deal with whatever news you're given, good or bad.

Feeling Better .................

Last Friday, I started to feel ill while out to lunch. I went right home, of course, and stayed there for the next two days.

Yesterday, I was feeling a little better and I dragged myself out. I had to drive down to New Brunswick for blood work. I had the windows open -down and back - and the fresh air felt good. I beat the rain home and was definitely feeling better.

This morning, I was up early. Even though it was overcast and threatening, I decided to drive up Rahway to the Motor Vehicle office. My car was due for inspection. As soon as I pulled up, they called me over. It took less then 10 minutes and I didn't even have to get out of the car, just move to the passenger side.

I headed back down Rahway towards Avenel. I saw this guy just up ahead.

I drove on by. I was feeling too good.

I drove up through Avenel towards the Dunkin' Donuts on St. George but got stuck behind a school bus picking up some kids at a corner. This time it didn't bother me and I waited patiently. When the bus pulled away I went to proceed but a mini-van that had been sitting at the cross street - at a Stop Sign - shot across the intersection. I had to slam on my brakes to keep from hitting it, but I got a good look at the two people inside. I took a few deep breathes and drove on.

When I got to Dunkin' Donuts I saw the mini-van parked it the lot. I parked on the other side.

I went inside and saw the two people who'd been in the van eating at one of the side tables. I took my order to go and went back to the lot, making sure to keep the van between us. I pointed at the engine.

Point, press, Flash.

I figured they won't be driving through any Stop Signs any time soon.

I was feeling better. Even though it still looked threatening I didn't think it would rain. I opened the windows and drove up into Colonia. I like driving through here. It's a nice residential area. I was on Wood Avenue when I saw this woman up ahead.

She had a purposeful stride to her and I left her to it. I figured that she was feeling good.

I could feel the humidity start to build. I turned down Grove and stopped at the North Edison Library. They don't usually have anything of interest to me but I was passing by. No surprise here.

I got back on Grove, Took a right on Oak Tree, and a left onto Plainfield. Up ahead, I saw this guy on one of those riding mowers.

I don't like these guys. They have no regard for anyone parked nearby and the mowers are loud, give off smoke, and throw grass clippings - and pollen - everywhere. As I passed ...

Point, press, Flash.

I noticed immediately that I couldn't hear the mower anymore. I looked in the side mirror and saw the operator slumped over the wheel. I figured that the pulse took them both out. That made me feel good.

I stayed on Plainfield, made a right onto Rte. 27, a left onto Main, and another left onto Amboy. I stopped at Wegman's and picked up a bag of pre-made salad and some diced ham. I was figuring on making a ham salad for supper.

I headed home, feeling better.

Maintenance and Upkeep .................

The only thing I had planned for today was lunch with my daughter and granddaughter. I woke early and decided to take care of some minor maintenance on the car.

I will be the first to admit that I know nothing about cars but recently, I had an oil change done and they recommended that I add Washer Fluid and Coolant. I figured I could handle these.

The manual says that the coolant has to be mixed with water so I opened the trunk to take my gallon bottle back in the house but I got lucky.

Prediluted. What a great concept.

I popped the hood and added the fluids.

I figured that I was on a roll so I headed for the Wawa Station on Route 1 for gas and to check the pressure in my tires. $2.31 a gallon. Not bad. I moved to the air pump and came across this.

These Verizon idiots had parked in an area that's clearly marked for the air pump. I managed to squeeze in beside them and check out my tires - adding some air to the front ones. I got back in my car and before I pulled out lowered the passenger side window.

Point, press, Flash.

Now they'll be stuck there until they can get their engine running again.

Feeling good about the maintenance work I was doing I considered getting the car washed - it's been coated with pollen for a few days. I turned on the wipers but all they did was streak. Time to replace the blades.

I cut through a development and made a right onto St. George. As I came up to the Route 9 connection I noticed this minivan coming off the ramp. The ramp has it's own lane but it ends just past the next light so a driver needs to merge left. There's enough time to do this correctly but she just drifted to the left immediately. If I hadn't braked, she'd have hit me.

I leaned on the horn but she didn't pay me any attention. She made the right onto Remsen and so did I. She stayed on Remsen for several blocks - slowing a bit - and so did I. She made a right onto Avenel and so did I. She made a quick right onto Demorest and so did I. She made a quick right onto Lord. I drove by. I figured that I pushed things about as far as I could before she got the cops involved. I hope I shook her up.

I made a left onto West Smith then a right onto Route 9 and headed towards the Advanced Auto in Woodbridge. They share a large parking lot with Walmart. As I pulled in, I noticed this FedEx truck.

I stopped at Advanced Auto and bought some new wipers (they install for free). The truck was still parked there, taking up about 4 spaces. I know. There was a lot of room in the lot but these guys think they can park anywhere - just like those Verizon guys earlier. I circled around the lot and came up from the other side.

Point, press, Flash.

He'll be there for a while.

I drove down Amboy. The new wipers worked perfectly.

I stopped on a side street in Metuchen just across from the library. I had 15 minutes before they opened. I got my glass cleaner out of the trunk and did all the windows and lights. I even did the sun roof. The car was looking pretty good now so I decided to skip the wash.

I didn't find anything interesting in the library and I still had a couple of hours before lunch. I took a leisurely drive up through Edison into Colonia. It was a nice day - cool but breezy. I had the windows open and the radio on.

On the spur of the moment, I decided to get my haircut. A bit of personal upkeep, if you will. I drove into Woodbridge and parked in the Municipal Lot. I passed this guy looking in his engine.

I was tempted to do the guy thing and ask him what was wrong but, honestly, I couldn't have helped anyway.

I stopped at the Woodbridge Deli for sandwiches and drove to my daughters. We had a great lunch. Relationships need upkeep, too.

I drove home feeling good about my day and all the maintenance and upkeep I'd gotten done.

Compulsion ...............

The only thing I wanted to get done today was to stop at the library and print out my monthly checking account statement. I do this every month. I've been criticized for doing this since I can see it online but I like to balance my account and printing my statement helps me to do that. I guess you could call it a compulsion.

I left my house around 8:40 so I'd be at the library when they open at 9. I took Rahway to Freeman. Along the way I came up behind this woman.

It was tempting but the High School is just behind those trees and there was a lot of traffic. I drove on to the library.

I printed out my statement and, on my way out, stopped at their sales table. I picked up "Dune: House Atreides" and "Dune: House Corrino" by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson for $.50 a piece.  I've always liked the original "Dune" series by Frank Herbert and these were part of a prequel co-written by his son. There was just one problem.

These are part of a trilogy - actually, they are parts 1 and 3. Part 2 is missing.

Now, I haven't read either of the books I'd just bought but I knew that I needed to find a copy of part 2. I'm a collector. It's a compulsion.

I headed up St. George but got stuck at the railroad crossing.

This gave me some time to leaf through part 1. This reinforced my need for part 2.

There were 2 stores I could get to that might have what I was looking for but they wouldn't be open until 10. I stopped for my lottery tickets, picked up the paper, and had breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts. I got back on St. George and drove up to Inman where I turned left and saw this woman coming towards me.

 

I didn't even consider it. I was focused on a used book store that I've been to before.

I stopped at the Book Trader but they didn't have what I was looking for.

Next stop - the used book store on Main Street in Metuchen. I drove down Inman to Grove. Just before I turned off to park behind the library I saw this guy.

He's kind of a regular around here and I've seen him in the library a couple of times. But I'm on a mission right now so I passed him by.

The used book store didn't have what I was looking for. I headed home. As I crossed the Edison/Woodbridge border I saw this guy.

So far, I've been frustrated in my search. I took it out now.

Point, press, Flash.

I got the parking spot right outside of my living room.

I logged on to my laptop, accessed my account with Better World Books, and ordered part 2 - "Dune: House Harkonnen".

I would have preferred to have the book in my hand but I settled for ordering it at a discount price. What can I say.

It's a compulsion.

The Little Things ..............

Over the last couple of weeks I've been thinking a lot about the little things. You know, how sometimes they can annoy us and at others they can make our day.
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Late last week, I was on my way home and stopped at the red light on Amboy and Main. A State Police SUV pulled up on my driver's side and lowered his passenger window. I had no choice but to lower my window, too.

"Do you know that your brake lights are out?" Of course, I had no idea.
"No, sir, I didn't."
"The right side and the center. Fix them." He raised his window. He was done.
If it had been a local cop, I might've gotten a ticket.

The next morning, I got up early to get the lights replaced. I had the manual and checked out how to do it, but I didn't have the right tools. I'd need to buy them and have them installed.

I stopped first at the Auto Zone near Shoprite. There was a young woman working inside who made no attempt to help me. I tried to figure out the parts book, but it was Greek to me. I left and drove up St. George's to the Advanced Auto near Dunkin' Donuts. One of the guys came right over and helped me find the bulbs. He couldn't install them - store policy - but he sent me to a garage who would.

Customer Service is such a small thing.

I turned right onto New Brunswick and then right onto East Inman. I saw this guy coming my way.

I passed him by as I headed for the garage.

There were two guys inside just sort of hanging around. It took one of them less then 10 minutes to put the bulbs in. When I asked how much I owed him, he told me to forget it - it wasn't any trouble. Maybe, he suggested, I'd remember them the next time I needed some work done. I drove away. Another small thing that made my day.

I stopped at a Hess Station and filled up. $2.09.

Saturday, I passed the same Hess Station. They were now $2.19. $.10 a gallon is a small thing but it was in my favor.

I picked up the paper, stopped at Dunkin' Donuts, and drove to the Menlo Park Mall to enjoy my ritual. I then drove through Edison into Iselin, heading for the Foodtown. I picked up something for supper and was walking back to my car when I heard this guy.

He was wearing headphones, walking around beside his minivan, and carrying on a loud, animated conversation with someone. I know, it's a small thing, but it annoys me. I drove away.

Sunday, I went to mass, had a nice breakfast, and just decided to drive around for a while since it was such a nice day. I was on New Dover Road when I came up on this guy.

Since we were just outside of St. Helen's Church I passed him by. Going to mass is a small thing  that gives comfort to a lot of people.

I stopped at a Wendy's for lunch. I'd been carrying around a gift card I'd gotten last year and I finally got a chance to use it. A small thing, but tasty.

Monday it rained. I was out for about an hour and a half. Nothing happened except that when I passed the Hess Station, they were up to $2.29.

Today, I had a couple of things I wanted to do. First on the agenda, an oil change at 8 Minute Oil on St. George's. From there, I stopped at Shoprite for my lottery tickets (as usual) and went to the nearby Taco Bell's for breakfast. This was because of another gift card I'd been carrying around. I had their new Bacon and Egg wrap meal. It wasn't bad but the bits of bacon kept falling out.

As I left, traffic at the exit was slowed due to the landscapers working there. I finally got to the exit and had to wait while this guy stood in the street to take pictures of their work.

I would have used the Flasher, but it was too open.

I stopped at my favorite Thrift Shop but didn't find anything. I stopped at the library in Metuchen and picked up copies of Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon" and Chandler's "The Big Sleep" for $.50 each. Small things that make me happy.

I headed Down Route 27 and then right on Gill Lane. This passes through a cemetery. I saw this young man up ahead.

I just kept going. It was a cemetery after all.

I stopped at the Verizon Store near the Woodbridge Center Mall. My phone is pretty old and I wanted to see what my options were. I've had some problems here in the past having to do with the plan I'm on and I was anticipating the same thing. It started out that way, but the young man quickly turned things around and showed me what I could do. I'll be going back next month.

Customer Service - just saying.

I stopped at Wegman's and got a prepackaged salad and a small container of chopped onions and celery. I cut through one of the business complexes to get back to Main Street, heading home.

I parked by my house and checked my emails before going in. I had one from my daughter. Another picture.

You see, the reason that little things have been on my mind recently is that back on April 5th ( Easter Sunday ) she gave birth to her first child - my first grandchild. She was born at 11:39 P. M., weighed 8 lbs., 9 oz., and measured 20 inches.

Since then, Doyle has called to congratulate me and I found a card from Gordon slipped under my door (although I'm not sure how he knew so quickly).

It's been 6 1/2 years since my transplant and things keep happening.

And the best ones have been the little things.

People Are Strange ......

It looks like my interrupted sleep pattern will continue for a few more days at least. My daughter says that the baby will probably hold out until her due date - which is Tuesday the 7th. This gives me some time to get one more thing taken care of.
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Today is Saturday and I was looking forward to my routine. I stopped at ShopRite to pick up a few things - mostly cleaning stuff, it is Spring, after all. On the way in, I passed their Dunkin' Donut outlet and thought that I'd get my breakfast to go.

I bought what I needed, took it out to my car, and went back in for a medium iced tea and a bagel with cream cheese. There was a woman with her daughter at the counter placing an order. The young girl was wearing pajama pants which has been the style for a number of years. I think that pajama pants are cute when kids wear them; okay when women wear them; and totally unacceptable for men. (I don't even like to wear sweat pants outside.)

This kid, however, was also wearing a robe with a combination of colors that clashed dramatically with the pants. It looked to me that the mother had things to do and dragged her daughter out of the house before she could get changed. Strange.

I left and wound up at the Dunkin' Donut shop on Avenel where I ate my breakfast at one of the tables. I then drove towards the Menlo Park Mall. I stopped at the light by the Metro Park train station and noticed that the car next to me was rocking. I looked over and saw the driver shaking her hands and nodding her head, obviously to whatever music she was listening to. Now, I sing along with the radio, too, and I like to bang on the steering wheel to the beat but this was just strange.

When the light changed, she went right and I went straight ahead.

I spent a very pleasant hour or so at the Mall, reading the paper and doing the crossword puzzle and browsing through Barnes & Noble's. Now it was time to take care of that one more thing.

I drove up towards JFK Hospital.

My daughter is going to be here for the delivery and, since that's coming up, I wanted to sort of map out my way there. I like to know where things are and how to get to them.

Of course, I've been to JFK before. I spent a week here when I was first diagnosed, and I had to come back weekly for out-patient testing for several months afterwards. I already knew about the parking situation but I wanted to find out where the Maternity Ward was. It didn't take me long.

I stopped at a Hess Station on 35 and filled up. $2.03 a gallon.

It was coming up on noon and I was getting hungry. I stopped at the Pathmark in Avenel. As I walked in I remembered that there was a Subway's inside.

They have a special going on - any 12-inch sub for $6. That's not a bad price. I went in, and there was 1 woman waiting and a young man being served.

He was having a turkey and parmesan on herb bread. He added lettuce and onions. When it came to condiments, he asked for mustard and then oil-and-vinegar. Mustard and oil-and-vinegar? That's too strange for me.

I left, stopped at a local deli for Boar's Head Bologna and a kaiser roll, and went home. I got a good spot right out in front of my living room window.

As I sat there finishing my iced tea, I thought back on the morning. Some people might think that my checking out the hospital was strange but it's something I do. It's a part of who I am. That's when I realized that I'd misjudged some people today. That every one else has things that are a part of them.

The mustard and oil-and-vinegar combination is a part of who that young man is.

"Car dancing" is a part of who that woman in the car is.

I was beginning to think that wearing a robe outside instead of a coat is a part of who that young girl is. And that she was lucky to have a mother who didn't stifle her creativity.

We all do things that we like to do - that we consider normal, but that others might think of as strange. We're all different. Every one of us has a quirk, an idiosyncrasy. They are what makes us "us".

And that's OK.

Like Morrison sings ... "People Are Strange".