

I was standing on the sidewalk taking my (very poor) photo across Highway 90 when I heard a chuckle behind me. Juila was putting out a display of merchandise to attract shoppers. She was curious about why I was taking a photo of the burger place and we began talking...for 25 minutes!



Our conversation was interrupted when the mailman arrived. "Sorry!" Julia apologized to the mailman as he headed inside. "You aren't going to get much cooling relief today. I just turned on the air-conditioner." I smiled to myself, wondering how many stories the mailman had heard. After he left, Julia turned her focus back to fixing up the display of used purses and shoes. She chuckled about how she liked to make it nice, so the sale items just spoke out to potential customers walking by. "You know you want to take me home!" She laughed as she did the voice for a flower vase. I asked if I could take her photo and she smiled, "Help yourself!"
Thanks, Julia. We stood their dripping in the humid morning sun, chatting beside the not so attractive highway, but it felt like we were two characters in small town Mayberry, just gossiping the day away. You were a delight as you recalled your favorite diners and shops and people. You didn't whine about how it used to be, you smiled with your memories and set up your display of goods with such pride. You reminded me that it's possible to enjoy the moment, even when the weather's not ideal and the scenery is far from perfect.