Those 70ish Girls

Something happened to me today that has never happened before. Maybe it was a good thing…, Maybe not.

Growing up in Murdo, I never found myself in a situation where I felt real fear of another person. In the first place it would have been strange not to know someone living in Murdo or at least heard about any new folks. Well, there were the tourists, but you could spot them a mile away.

I had to mail a Christmas gift today so prepared to stand in a long line, I drove over to the PO around three o’clock. There were only four or five people in line in front of me. I was thinking about all the things I had to do and trying to decide when I was going to do them.

A man walked in and normally I wouldn’t have paid any attention, except he didn’t go to the back of the line, which was behind me. Instead, he kind of walked around, I guess you might say he paced around. He was of average height, probably in his mid thirty’s, and average to slim build. He seemed rather nervous, and as I was trying to size him up without staring, I noticed his jacket was protruding in front. It was really noticeable. It almost looked like he had a basketball under there. Or could it be something more sinister?

No one else seemed to be paying any attention to him, so I felt it was my duty to watch in case he made any sudden moves. All kinds of things went through my mind. If this guy was someone who wanted to do us in, I needed to be prepared. I don’t know why, but it never occurred to me to leave. I guess I thought it was my moral obligation to remain watchful, since no one else seemed to pick on the little subtleties he was exhibiting.

Then I started to worry a little. Not so much about what he might do to us, but I was trying to remember if I made my bed. I was wishing I had picked up the house a little before I left. I mean if something happened to me, throngs of people would be coming to my house. They would be bringing hot dishes to Kip. Oh, man…my refrigerator was full of leftovers that I should have thrown out days ago. The only bright side was the fact that I hadn’t done all the mundane things, because now it seemed it would have been a waste of time. I really did want to mail my package, though.

Then I heard, “Mam, Mam!!” It was my turn. The basketball man was standing over by the mail boxes, so I took my eyes off of him for just a minute or two to while the post office person took my package. She said, “It will be there by Tuesday.” I wondered if the mail would still go out…

While I was contemplating all of this, the half door to the side of the mail boxes came open. The clerk stuck his head out and said, “I’m sorry sir…I just got back from lunch. The basketball guy reached in his pocket and I held my breath. He pulled out a notice that he had a package to pick up, which he did and then he left.

As I drove home, I convinced myself that it is always a good thing to be aware of your surroundings. Maybe he just had a few too many Christmas cookies under his jacket. Oh, I forgot to tell you, as I saw him get into the car, he pulled out a pair of huge gloves from his front pocket and threw them in the seat beside him when he got in.

I’m sure glad this story had a happy ending, because when I got home, the mailman had delivered the best packages ever. I have incorporated the contents into my Beastertown Christmas display. I’m still smiling and having fun with them.

I am so glad I lived to tell this story, and I’m especially happy the mail came. Thank you my photographic drawer, (Sherri). You must have sensed I needed to be reminded of how much you and all those I have come to know and love through the Murdo Girl blog mean to me. I will keep the card forever and read it often.

 

 

 

 

Nothing like a water tower and a crown to cheer a girl up. Right Queen E?