I'll Take This Every Time ......

I started the month with a positive attitude but it hasn't been easy trying to get back to some semblance of normal. It's bad enough that we're all still coping with the Pandemic but then Mother Nature decided to bless us with a massive snow storm.

I had an appointment with my Radiologist on Monday, February 1st which they cancelled. Then I had an appointment at the Dermatologist in Clark on the 2nd which also got cancelled. All I could do was keep looking out the window and shaking my head.

By  the 3rd, the streets had been plowed and the sidewalk had been cleared. I grabbed my shovel and went to dig out/clean off my car.

One look and I knew that wasn't going to happen.

I went back inside, logged into my laptop and checked out a local Woodbridge page on Facebook. I found a guy who would take care of my car. He came around 6 PM with 2 other guys and had me taken care of in 20 minutes.

The best $50 I've ever spent.

Every day since then has been cold and cloudy with snow, rain, or a mixture of both. I was reluctant to move the car because I didn't want to lose the spot but I really needed to pick up some stuff.

I went out on Friday the 5th and gingerly drove through the back streets until I got to Rahway which was much clearer. I stopped at Dunkin's for a hot coffee and noticed this guy.

It was very cold but he didn't seem to mind. He was just sitting there checking his phone without a mask on. Unfortunately, we were out in the open. I went in, got my coffee, and left.

 Tuesday the 9th, a friend drove me up to Clark for the Mohs process. It's a way of dealing with a carcinoma on the side of my face that my regular Dermatologist couldn't handle. I found out that it would take 4 to 6 hours with repeated injections of a local anesthetic and might still require surgery and a  plastic surgeon. After that, I'd have to have radiation. I decided to postpone the treatment and wait and see what my Radiologist had to say.

Another stretch of bad weather kept me home more often then not for the next week or so. I did take quick trips to pick up food but I was never out long. All the parking lots were bracketed by large walls of snow...

and there were very few people out walking, jogging, etc., except for a few annoyed looking individuals I saw walking their dogs. I spent a lot of  the time reading, doing crossword puzzles, snacking, and napping.

Wednesday the 17th I went to the Radiologist. He agreed that his was the best course of action but wanted me to get a CT scan of my face and neck first. We scheduled it for the upcoming Monday at RWJ in Rahway. 

The next day, Friday the 18th, I stopped at Dunkin's again and  noticed this red car.

This time it was a couple of guys just having their breakfast but inside like normal people.  I bought my coffee and a Blueberry Muffin, toasted, with butter.

Sunday the 20th was different. the sun was shining and it felt warmer. I couldn't wait to get outside. I drove around slowly, listening to the radio and just enjoying the day. I still didn't come across anyone but I did notice that some people still hadn't dug out their cars since the beginning of the month.

I'm guessing they're gonna have some real problems when the cars are finally clear.

That Monday, the 22, I drove up to Rahway for my 12:30 CT Scan. It wasn't as sunny but it was still warm.  On the way up I noticed this guy.

I had to smile. Here was another guy who couldn't wait to get out of the house.

Tuesday the 23rd I drove over to the Convention Center in Edison to get my 1st Covid shot.

There was a long line but it moved quickly and I was out in just under an hour including the mandatory 15 minute wait period. It had rained a little while I was inside but it was nicer now.

Wednesday the 24th I was back at the radiologist. He said that the CT scan was clean which meant the carcinoma was localized and we agreed that I'd come back the following Wednesday to start the process.

Thursday the 25th was another beautiful, sunny day and I started seeing others out and about.

Today is another crisp, clear, sunny day. I was going to do my wash but put it off until tomorrow. Instead, I decided to hit a few supermarkets to stock up on a few items. I took my time, heading down Main Street to Wegman's for their yogurt special. Up ahead I saw this guy crossing the street.

He didn't seem to be in any hurry. He wasn't wearing a mask but he was too far away for me to do anything. I dropped the yogurt off at my place then headed up Rahway towards ShopRite. I saw this guy heading towards me.

Another no-masker but this time I could act.

Point, press, Flash.

I continued on my way thinking "Was this how it's gonna be? I know that most people found masks have been helpful during the cold weather we had but will they stop now that it's getting warmer?" I hope not.  I picked up some sale items and went home.

Sure, I'm looking at about 8 weeks of radiation treatment, my 2nd Covid shot, and some blood work coming up. Nothing I haven't done before and nothing that starts for at least 5 more days.

Sure there are other things that are still up in the air. I haven't heard from Doyle or Murphy; Jones hasn't contacted me or sent Welles to tell me anything; and, as far as I know, Gordon is still out there.

None of that matters. 

The sun is out, the air is warm, the snow is melting, the radio station is playing some great tunes from back in the day, and people are outside again - including me. 

I'll take this every time.

 Some Days You're Not Happy, Some Days You Are ............

I've been thinking back over the last few months and I've realized something - I let it get to me. Maybe it was the Pandemic. Maybe it was the Political Situation. Maybe it was my Personal Situation. Maybe it was Seasonal Affectedness Disorder. Whatever it was, I let it get to me.

I was staying home more. I wasn't reading as much but was doing a lot of Crossword Puzzles just to keep my mind occupied. I was napping more in the afternoons which kept me up late at night. 

I wasn't being me and I wasn't happy. That had to change.

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It's a New Year and, although I don't usually make Resolutions, I did decide to get things back to normal. First thing, I put the small, bronze "NOW" coin in a drawer so I wouldn't obsess over it. Secondly, I mapped out how my month would go taking into account the several Medical Appointments I had. Then I got about doing things.

These started right away on Monday, January the 4th with a visit to my Dermatologist. It was flurrying a little as I left my place.

It was annoying, but not enough to cause a problem. At the Doctor's, he explained that the skin cancer on my right jaw (that I thought he'd taken care of) was worse then he thought. He had to slice in again and, this time, put in stitches. I wasn't happy but I wasn't gonna let it get to me.

The next day I had a haircut scheduled for 8:30 at my guy's on Main Street. I took a quick run afterwards to ShopRite then dropped off my car at the mechanics. The brake Light had been coming on even though they felt good but I didn't want to take any chances. I got it back 2 days later and it cost me $570. I wasn't happy but I'd gotten the $600 Stimulus Money so it didn't hurt too bad.

Monday the 11th, I was back at the mechanic. While I was driving around I found my foot going all the way down to the floor board before it would stop. He looked under the hood and said there was a leak. He then put it up on a lift inside the garage to show me better.

I could see what and where the problem was and left it. He had it ready later on and I walked back up. Another $115. Again, not happy but at least I wouldn't have to worry.

Thursday the 14th, I was back at the Dermatologist's to have the stitches removed. He told me that it would required more extensive work and that I'd have to get someone to drive me to their Medical Building in Clarke to do what's called a Mohs Procedure. We scheduled it for Tuesday, February 2nd. I was annoyed again but what could I do.

Tuesday the 19th, I drove down to New Brunswick for Blood Work. I was in and out quickly, the sun was shining, the car was running smoothly, and I was feeling good. I decided to treat myself.

I stopped at Denny's to get their Senior Omelet for Take Out. It wasn't as good as I remembered but what ever is? I was happy.

Monday the 25th, I had a follow-up with the Gastroenterologist. On my way there, I noticed that even the side streets had the tell-tale lines visible.

They had been brined in preparation for the predicted snow storm the following day. The doctor said everything was going well and to come back in 6 months.

That next day, I had a 9:15 appointment with the Radiologist and drove up to Rahway. They took some blood to check me PSA Level as a follow-up to the treatment last year for Prostate Cancer. I went home but wasn't there long. I had a 1:30 appointment with the Urologist in Edison. By then, it was snowing but not heavily.

He didn't have to do the PSA Test since I'd had it done already but he did do the Prostate Exam. He had a scrip called in to my Pharmacy to help with some discomfort I've been experiencing. Not happy but I was expecting it.

This morning it was cold but sunny and I was feeling good. I stopped for gas at a Quick Chek in Avenel.

I went to Walmart's Pharmacy to pick up the scrip that was ready. I stopped at McDonald's for Pancakes to bring home for breakfast.

The new owners of my building have a couple of crews working and it's noisy in the Living Room. The Bedroom, however, is quiet and I've been stretched out after breakfast watching reruns of "Blue Bloods" on TV. I'm happy.

That's how it goes I guess. Some days you're not happy, some days you are.

 All I Can Do .........

Since I had the conversation with Murph I've been staying close to home. If Doyle had nothing to do with the "NOW" disc, who did? At first, I was thinking it might be Jones trying to motivate me but one night I realized that there was someone else in this game - a forgotten player - Gordon. I spent the rest of the night turning that over and over in my head.  Gordon wanted me back too although I don't know his reasons. it did made a strange sort of sense though. 

I spent most of the next few days staying close to home trying to figure things out but got nowhere. Then I  had places I needed to be and put the problem on hold.

Wednesday the 9th, I had a 9:45 appointment with my dermatologist. I had the time so I took the long way and came across this guy. 

I thought I could see a mask so I passed on. At the dermatologist's, the recent removal site looked good but the previous one was infected. I got several shots of lidocaine before he sliced it open. Then a bandage, some ointment, and a follow up in January.

Friday the 11th, I had a 2:00 with my gastroenterologist. I've been having some issues lately and he wound up scheduling a colonoscopy for the 17th. I had a Covid test taken with results due before the procedure.

The weekend was quiet and I ran whatever errands I had quickly.

Wednesday the 16th, I drove down to RWJ New Brunswick. I had blood work scheduled for 8 AM and a visit with the cardiologist for 9. Things went quickly and I was in my car just leaving the parking garage when the phone rang. The Covid test was negative but the colonoscopy was being rescheduled for the 29th due to the pending snow storm. I would also have to redo the Covid test on the 24th. I also got a call later from the cardiologist because my tach level was low and I should increase the dose of a particular immunosuppressant then go back for more blood work on the 22nd.

This time the weather people got it right. we got about 6 inches that night and I stayed in the next day.

Friday the 18th, the sidewalks had been shoveled and the plows had gone through several times. I went out and checked on my car. she was plowed in tight and it felt like all ice. I cleaned her off anyway and then walked to the nearby Walgreens. On the way, I saw this. shovel.

I decided to wait a few days before digging out.

By Sunday, it had warmed up and a lot of the ice had melted. I went back out to the car with my shovel but stopped.

The guy behind me had pulled out and I was able to back out from where I was then park across the street.

What I thought was going to take a long time and a lot of effort turned out to be really easy. Sometimes you get lucky.

On the 22nd, I went back down to RWJ for the follow-up blood work. The door connecting the parking lot to the building was closed and I had to walk outside and use the front entrance.

They were expecting me so I was in and out quickly.

Today I went back for the second Covid test. They use a spit test rather then the nose swab which isn't as uncomfortable but takes me longer because of the dry-mouth condition that I deal with.  On the way out of the lot  I stopped before leaving because I got a call from my cardiologist. My level was good now but they're concerned about my blood pressure and cholesterol. They called in a couple of scrips to my pharmacy and set me up for another follow up blood test in January.

As I sat there listening to this, I noticed this guy heading towards me.

No mask but we were out in the open and I couldn't do anything.

I drove home.

Tomorrow is Christmas and I'll be with family and try to forget the stuff I'm going to have to deal with starting next week. I'll take them as they come and I'll cope with them. 

It's all I can do.

Now ...... What?

 I puzzled over the small, bronze-colored "NOW" disk that I got - I assumed - from Doyle for a few days but I had appointments to keep and errands to run. I decided to put it into the fob pocket on my jeans and carry it with me. I don't know why but I figured why not?

Thursday, October 29th, I had an appointment at my ENT's office for a Hearing Test. I knew what the outcome would be - I have a partial loss in my left ear so I overcompensate with my right. I went anyway. You never know. It was raining on and off, heavily at times, but I got a good spot in the back lot close to the door. On my way in, I noticed these window ornaments on both sides - 

Frogs. Perfect decorations for the weather. I got the expected results and, since I was in Edison and close by, I swung by Stop N Shop. They had the Shepard's Pie that I like so it was worth the detour.

Saturday the 31st was Halloween. It was sunny out, but pretty cold. On my way to my car I picked up this little beauty from off the curb.

How it got there and why it was with a rose I don't know but I think they look pretty cool together and, after all, it was Halloween. 

Sunday was the 1st of November and it was raining again. I was up early so I went to the 7:30 Mass. Afterwards, I stopped at Shoprite to get the paper and some other stuff. When I got back into my car, the lights on the white SUV across from me came on then blinked several times. 

I waited. Someone got out and walked over to me.

Wells.

He had a mask on but no hat and the rain was running down both sides of his face. He didn't seem to notice. I pulled up my mask and opened the window enough so we could hear each other.

"Wells! Good to see you. Looks like you've survived the Covid virus."

"Thank you, Mr. O'Neill. It was a rough couple of weeks but I've tested negative every day for the last week."

"Every day?"

"Yes. Department Regulations. Everyone gets tested daily."

"Even Jones?"

"Mr. Jones does not confide in me about his daily routine. He has, however, instructed me to tell you that he's glad to know that you are doing better and would like to know what you plan on doing ... now."

I was sort of expecting something like this but Wells' emphasis on "now" caught me off-guard. I could feel the brass coin in my pocket. I had to say something. 

"He'll be the first to know."

Then I grinned at him and shut the window. Wells didn't react but stared at me for a minute or two. Then he nodded, turned around, and walked back to his car.

Why did he say it like that? Was he trying to tell me something? Was I reading too much into this? I don't know and I wasn't gonna figure it out sitting here in the car. I drove home, ate breakfast, and read the Sunday paper.

The days were pretty similar for the next couple of weeks. I had no appointments to go to but I continued to go out every morning. The weather was still unsettled with rain on and off, mostly in the mornings. I was usually out in it and would get back as it cleared up.

The township continued on with it's business as usual regardless. From street sweeping - 

- to watering the plants on Main Street -

People continued to disregard the rules, walking around without masks - 

- or wearing them below their mouths like the guy I saw collecting for some charity by Wegmans - 

Wednesday the 18th, I had a follow-up at 9:30 with my Dermatologist. While I was warming up my car I saw this guy

Another one of those strange people that every neighborhood has. I could see a weird kind of mask hanging from around his neck. At least, I thought it was a mask. 

The doctor took one look at the spot on my face where he'd removed a cancerous growth and said it was infected - which is what I suspected. He sent a scrip for an antibiotic to my Pharmacist and scheduled another follow -up in 3 weeks.

Tuesday the 24rd started out with a bright, sunny morning. It was a personal Anniversary for me - the 12th year since I'd received my new heart - the heart that got me into this whole situation. I got some congratulatory calls/emails/texts which were appreciated but there was no plan for a celebration. Wanting to do something, I got in my car and just drove around. I wound up at my local Church and decided to stop in. 

I felt good driving home.

Thursday the 26th was Thanksgiving Day. Usually I travel with my NJ family to get together with our NY family somewhere. Not this year. We kept it local and we kept it small. And it was good.

Today is Saturday and I slept in slightly. I was still out by 8:30 and stopped at my local Dunkin's as usual. There were 2 older guys sitting maskless at a small table outside, chatting and drinking coffee. I picked up my iced coffee and bought a Coffee Roll to eat in the car. When I came out, I could clearly hear the 2 guys talking about the new Rain Garden being built by the Main Library.

I bought a few things at a few places then stopped at ShopRite to finish up. I even found something else to give to my Granddaughter for Christmas. Feeling good about that, I got back to my car and decided to check out that Rain Garden I'd heard about, made the turn towards the Library, and parked in their Lot. 

To be honest, there isn't much there yet, just a dredged out section of the slope leading down to the High School Parking Lot. It's covered by some kind of netting which, I think, is supposed to keep the seeds from washing away. What is there is an interesting Butterfly Statue that I wanted to get a closer look at. I turned the car off, got out, and made my way down the slope. It was slow going because of the slippery, muddy ground.

It's very colorful and covered by what appears to be recyclable material. Very apropos I thought. As I was turning to walk back up, a voice called out from the Lot.

"Be careful where you're walking, Mr. O'Neill. It looks pretty tricky."

I looked up and saw an older man standing by my car. He was one of those guys I'd seen at Dunkin's earlier. He seemed a bit nervous.

"Do I know you?" I called back.

"No. But we have a mutual friend who asked me to look out for you."

"Who?"

"Doyle."

"Doyle? You know Doyle?"

"Yeah. We used to work together. That was a long time ago."

I had reached the Lot by now and saw that he was pretty imposing looking though definitely older then me.

"You worked with Doyle in the DHS?"

"No. I retired before that happened. I knew him when we were Feds together." He paused, lowered his head, nodded to himself, and spoke again.

"He sent me a package with a letter asking me to keep track of you and make sure you were alright."

"I don't understand. A package? Keep track of me?"

He smiled. "Yeah. He sent me a hand-held unit so I could monitor your implant. That Tracker thing. I figured why not. It wasn't like I had to interfere with whatever you do. Looks like I was wrong."

"You were one of those guys outside of Dunkin's this morning, weren't you? That wasn't just a coincidence, was it?"

"No. I was pretty sure you'd be there, if not today then tomorrow or the next day. I was willing to go back until you showed up." 

"Why?'

'Doyle called me Friday and wanted me to give you a message." He paused again, looking skeptical.

"What? what was the message?"

"Well, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me but he specifically said "Tell him I didn't send anything. I didn't send 'NOW'. Does that make any sense to you?"

It was my turn to pause and I leaned against my car, pulling the brass coin from my pocket. He'd said "I didn't send 'NOW'." But who did? And Why?  Too many questions and no answers. I looked back at the man. 

"No, it doesn't make sense but I understand what he's referring to. Thanks Mr. .. I'm sorry, I don't know your name."

"You can call me Murph. Everybody does." He said with a smile.

I smiled back. "OK then. Thanks, Murph. So - what happens now?"

"I continue to keep my eye on the monitor, I owe Doyle that much. And I'll try to stay out of your way."

"Thanks. Is there a way for you to get in touch with Doyle?"

"No. It looks like he used a drop phone. I'm in the dark there."

'How about a way for me to get in touch with you?"

Hw thought that over for a bit. "I think, for now, I'll keep my distance. I don't like getting involved with things I don't know anything about. Fact is, I'm not too happy about being here now but, like I said, I owe Doyle."

He sort of shook himself as if he were cold, adjusted his cap, mask, and coat and looked towards the High School. He waved and I heard a car start up. That's when I noticed that mine was the only one in this Lot.

"Time for me to go, Mr. O'Neill. Take care of yourself." 

"Denny. Call me Denny."

"Denny it is then." He said with a quick laugh. 'See you when I see you." He tipped his cap slightly, turned, and walked down to the waiting car.

I watched him as he got in and drove away. It was starting to cloud over. An apt simile for what was happening to me, I thought. I looked at the coin, turning it over and over in my hand. I believed what Murph said. Doyle didn't send this. But if he didn't, then who did? And how did he know about it? And was Wells' reference to the word "now" the other day some kind of hint. Did he know what this was all about? I didn't know and I didn't know how to find out.

All I can think about is NOW ... What?

 NOW ..............

I'd slept well for the first time in weeks and on Monday the 28th I started to drive down to New Brunswick. I had a Covid Test scheduled for 8AM prior to a medical procedure on Wednesday. I didn't get far. The police were out early redirecting traffic to accommodate the construction going on all over Woodbridge.

I had to take a less direct route but managed to get back to Main Street near Amboy Avenue and had a straight run from there. It was a Drive-through in the parking lot of the closed school across from the hospital. I found it easily enough and pulled in. No one was ahead of me. The nurse asked me the usual questions then handed me the nasal swab to do myself, which was interesting. I was in and out quickly, no pun intended, then drove home.

Tuesday the 29th I went to my 9:00 Therapy session at JFK in Edison. Afterwards, I headed down James Street to my 10:00 appointment with my Dermatologist. It's less then 5 minutes but I had to wait in my car until they called me. I finally got around to fixing the minutes on the clock in my car.

Of course, I'm gonna have to do the hour in a few days.

Wednesday the 30th my ex-wife drove me down to RWJ in New Brunswick for the medical procedure I mentioned - a Heart Catheterization. She dropped me off at 8:15 AM and picked me up around 7:30 PM. The procedure only took about 1/2 an hour. The rest of the time I spent on my back waiting for them to decide when the opening they made into one of the arteries in my groin was healed. At least they let me pick from a menu for dinner.

October started quietly. I went out every day to run errands and ordered all my Christmas presents online.

The 6th was a Tuesday and I drove to my weekly 9:00 Therapy session. I was planning on getting there early and eating breakfast in the car. That didn't happen. As I made the turn onto James Street this guy pulled out from a local parking lot. 

What should've taken 10 minutes turned into 20. I got there on time but breakfast had to wait.

There were only a couple of other appointments on my calendar and they were pretty well spread out over the rest of the month. Regardless of the weather, I went out. I used to like just staying home but now I needed to get out. Mask on and socially distanced, I needed to get out.

Friday the 9th, I stopped by my local Church. 

I said a few prayers and lit a candle. I figured it couldn't hurt.

While driving around on Monday I passed this guy.

Another person out without a mask. I kept driving. I was tempted but I didn't.

Tuesday I took Rahway to Main on my way to Therapy. I had a few bills to mail and I prefer to drop them off at the Post Office. There have been instances of "fishing" in the area and I didn't want to take any chances. As I passed the construction going on where the strip mall with my favorite bagel place was I noticed this woman.

I've seen her on and off over the years. I understand that she's homeless and has taken up staying on this bench which is diagonally across from the Municipal Building where the Police Station is. She's supposed to be harmless but I've also heard that she can be nasty. As I passed, I noticed that she was wearing a mask. I dropped off my bills and went to Therapy.

The next day I had an appointment with my ENT at 11:20. I thought that my earache was back. He checked me out, including scoping my throat, and said that there was no sign of an infection and he said that it could be TMD. He asked me to get a CT scan of my neck and to come back for a Hearing Test. I was able to schedule the scan for the next day at 9:30.

Thursday the 15th,I drove up to RWJ in Rahway for the scan. It was a nice, sunny morning but when I parked in the lot I noticed this woman.

It looked like she had all of her possessions in the cart. I couldn't help noticing that she was wearing a mask just like the woman on Main Street the other day.

Things were pretty quiet, again, for the next several days but the weather changed - it was getting cooler and clouding over.

My Therapy session was cancelled for Tuesday the 20th but I did have a follow-up with the Dermatologist. I took the back roads to get there and, at one point, saw this woman coming in my direction.

Again, no mask. But the area was too wide open.

Friday the 23rd, I was on my way up to the Library. I don't have a printer at home so I go there to use theirs. I stopped at the light at Richie Sambora Way and saw this guy.

I've seen him before also. I call him the Umbrella Man because he's always carrying one. And he had a mask, too. I wondered why those people I saw who are without had masks and those that are  "with" don't. 

I went to Mass on Sunday the 25th. I hadn't been there in months and it was interesting. The pews were marked where people could sit and the Priest and Deacon went around with Communion. They didn't have Altar Servers but they did have a small choir which was nice. On my way back home I was on Main Street when I had to stop.

That homeless woman was up and moving. "Good for her" I thought although I had no idea where she was going.

The new Managers for my building have been making some big changes to the structure since they bought it, most of which I haven't had a problem with. But when I came home yesterday after being out for several hours I was met with this.

They're replacing the flooring and steps in the vestibule and I had to carry my bags up a board to get in. I felt like a tightrope walker.

They worked all night and when I left to go to my last Therapy session this morning they'd made great progress.

The board was gone by the time I got home.

I went back out around 5:00 to check my mail. I got 2 bills, 2 pieces that don't belong to me (if the

mailman doesn't recognize the addressee he leaves it in my box. 9 times out of 10 I throw it away), and a blank envelop. No name, no address, no stamp. I don't know how it got in my box but I could feel that there was something in it. I opened it and found this.

A small coin taped to an index card. The word "NOW" is stamped into it. The only other marking was the letter "D" written on the back.

"D"?

Doyle?

I didn't know. And I don't know what it means. Is he warning me about something? Is there something he wants me to do? Is there something I missed that I should be doing?

I don't know. All I know is that it must mean something. Whatever it is it's ...

NOW.

 Smell The Roses ......

By Saturday the 19th I was pretty stressed out. I felt like every doctor I deal with had something worrying to say or something they wanted me to do. I needed a break and, since the Covid test and catheterization had been postponed for a week, I was about to get one.

Tuesday the 22nd I had a Swallow Therapy session that went well. We agreed, again, to cancel the Friday session and meet up the following Tuesday. I now had 5 days to myself, unless something popped up unexpectedly. I called my Cardiologist's office and asked when I should get the flu shot. I usually wait until the end of October but I was concerned about the current situation. They said the sooner the better.

Wednesday, I headed out to get my shot and, on a whim, decided to swing by my barber. 

I just wanted to see if they were still taking reservations but I saw the Early man sitting at the desk. I parked, put on my mask, and walked in. He took me right away and I was done in 20 minutes. Feeling good, I drove to my Pharmacy and got the flu shot without a problem.

Thursday was pretty quiet but I did get some interesting mail.

Besides the invoice for my October rent I got my Mail-in Ballot for the upcoming Presidential Election. I wasn't going to mail it back but intended to wait until the Ballot Drop-box was put up in front of City Hall.

Friday I was out running errands and decided to swing by the Municipal Building.

The Ballot Box was out already.

Saturday I drove up early to drop off my Ballot. I knew there was a Farmer's Market that uses the Parking Lot on Saturdays so I wanted to get there before they opened at 9. I got a space and cast my vote. Walking back to my car I noticed this.

I didn't know that there was a Rain Garden there even though I'd passed by several days a week. It made me wonder what else I'd missed seeing in my own neighborhood.

This morning, I set out to drive around and see what was out there. I drove up Rahway Avenue and stopped at the Barron's Art Center, pulling into their lot.

They have this great, bronze statue of a Native American that I'd never really looked at before.

I turned onto Freeman Street and pulled over on the right.

There's a very well preserved, house that someone actually lives in that dates back to 1685. The house itself is pretty non-descript but they do have one of these outside.

If I'd had a horse I would've tied up here. A little further up Freeman I pulled over on the left to get a better view of this.

It was a small Lion's Head Water Fountain outside of a wall surrounding a house. It was badly overgrown but I was impressed by how good it looked.

I drove around for another hour or so and found several other Historical Markers and architectural features that I thought were interesting including one outside of the Knights of Columbus building on the corner of Main Street and Amboy Avenue. I had no idea that George Washington had ever been to Woodbridge.

On my way back home I was on Linden Avenue when I saw this and had to pull over.

I had heard about these Free Libraries that people put out in front of their own homes but I'd never seen one before. It made me realize that there really were good people in the world, some of whom live by me.

Back at home I was feeling relaxed. I know what was coming up next week but it didn't worry me anymore. I think that there's a real benefit in the old saying. 

From now on I will make the time to stop and smell the roses.