Making a list; checking it over and over and over
Dotty's in Corning tonight, home of her parents and the parents' of BrilliantEditor. It's always strange to come home, even when you come home on an average of once a month.
I was walking the dogs when two people who used to live in Corning drove by. They moved to Texas at some time when I was in college. Despite the physical distance, they never lost touch with this town.
Yeah, that sounds sweet and nice. It sounds quaint and homey. It is, actually. Keep in mind, though, that most things in this world cut in both directions. So while they didn't lose touch with the town, they also didn't lose touch with the rumor/gossip circle that has a lively business throughout the quaint little town. Furthermore, the business they ran in the rumor/gossip circle was as pervasive and powerful as a chain store in a small town. In an unusual economic turn, however, their chain store led to a richer business for those hometown establlishments that used to exist without such expertise.
So these folks were driving by, saw me walking the dogs, stopped the car next to me, and opened the window to say hello. We said our good afternoons and made the obligatory comments about the dogs, and then it happened.
The driver leaned over and asked, "So your mother-in-law is in the hospital, your husband is on his way to San Francisco, you're here with your father-in-law, and your parents aren't home?" And I said, "Um, yeah, well, BrilliantEditor might be flying into San Francisco, but he's not staying there. He's going to Sebastopol."
And then I explained that I'm a genius because, at times in the past, I suggested that BrilliantEditor have a big sleep over with his co-workers. I even suggested a location.
Of course, one of the activities at this shindig is an overnight at my suggested location!
The passenger in the car said that I should ask for consulting fees. I said that I expected the request would be returned with a large smiley face and a note that said, "You're just full of comical ideas! Keep them coming!"
But how strange is it that people who haven't lived here for at least seven years come back and know everyone's business just like they did before they left?
I believe it's very, very strange. I admire it in a way—the tenacity it takes to maintain all of the necessary connections. Wow.
Nevertheless, I believe I will always be surprised and possibly unnerved when a car pulls up and lists my planned activities for the day.
I only made the plans today.
Posted by dotty at October 7, 2003 09:37 PM