A cool 23 degrees Fahrenheit, I scurried from my mini-van toward the small unheated building where people go to sit and bird watch at a local park. Two elderly gentlemen chatted on the sidewalk as I turned toward the courtyard. The one puffing on a stogie yelled to me, "You need a hat or your ears will freeze."
"I know." I grinned, kept my quick pace. I find it impossible to take offense at gruff grandfather types.
Moments later, I slipped into the empty room, settled in an icy chair and exhaled deeply. The enormous window displayed an abundance of wildlife. A pair of ducks swam in the tiny, heated pond, and several squirrels dashed here and there, nibbling on nuts and seeds as they went. The birds were spectacular: blue jays, cardinals, woodpeckers, sparrows, and chickadees rushed around, bandying for the best feeders. The woodchucks didn't appear, no doubt hibernating already.
Within a few minutes, the gentlemen entered and took two seats on the other side of the room.
I'm an eavesdropper. Can't help it, especially when there are only three people in a small, echoing room and I'm one of the three.
"Look at the ducks in there," one said with jolly awe. "It's duck season. Smart things. They're safer here."
"Duck season, huh? I read in the Blade that in Toledo alone hunters bagged 138,000 deer on opening day. 138,000. That's a lot of deer. Or maybe 38,000? I don't know."
"Yeah, Bob was driving the other day and one shot out in front of him."
"He hit it?"
"Nah, he missed. Lucky one, that Bob..."
A squirrel head popped up over the fence, distracting me from the entertaining conversation volley.
"My two daughters--they're gorgeous I tell ya--they could be models. In fact, Seventeen magazine came to Toledo--"
"There's modeling in Toledo?"
"Will you just listen?"
I missed this segment of the conversation too because three blue jays stormed a feeder. When the birds had settled, I realized I could still see my breath, so I stood and walked toward the door. As I passed the men, I wished them a good day.
"Same to you," Mr. Stogie replied in a kind tone. "You on your lunch break?"
I laughed--don't ask me why, I just laugh a lot. "I work from home."
"Nice to get out of the house then, eh?"
"Yeah, I stop by for a breath of fresh air and to see the fuzzy animals. Have a good one."
"You too." We nodded to each other, and I left.
I scurried back to my mini-van, my heart much fuller than when I arrived. Such a small and common scene in my life, but this one stood out. Maybe it's because Christmas is almost here, or because every headline lately centers around missing children, kidnapped girls, and other heinous crimes, but the two gentlemen reassured me that the world is full of good people.
Do you have places you go for a break? Are you like me, unable to resist chatting with people you haven't met?
Have a joyous weekend!
