Locks, Rocks and a Shock

Friday was a strange day. I can't quite put my finger on what was in the air, but I knew it was there. Before the afternoon was over, I even had proof.

I can hardly wait to share with you my next installment of downtown architecture. I have been quite busy shooting photos and gathering info this week. And it's amazing how you can be in an area your whole life and know so little about it. More to come soon.

I had an interesting message on my cell phone when I turned it on yesterday afternoon as I left work. "This is the Home Depot," it began. The connection was a little fuzzy so I barely heard the next part: "And we're a little concerned." My brain went racing. Did I order anything? I didn't think I had.

"Because we haven't seen you in 48 hours." Well, by then, I recognized the voice as none other than that of CD. So it was a good laugh. She, home entertaining a gaggle of 14-year-olds, and banished to her room to do so. She couldn't have known how prophetic she was. I was headed to Home Depot, and Lowe's, in just a few short hours!

Last night's trip was devoted to returning the full container of driveway seal, looking at new door hardware, and buying marble chips. We also looked at some shop mat tiles (to put in the carport) but man! I need something sturdy and cleanable. They're great and at $13 a piece I could have gotten the 6 or so I wanted to put down under the car to catch the occasional drips at a reasonable price. (The car is almost 17. Cut it some slack!) But the deal-breaker was the little stripping to put around it. It cost almost as much as each piece of tile! That's where I drew the line. We found another, much less expensive option. (Photos and an explanation to come in another post.)

OK. We've covered locks and rocks. Now the shock. The mother called me late yesterday afternoon: "You ready for this?" Anytime she poses a question in that tone I'm never sure if I am or not. OK. Try me.

"There's a package here from (a local florist)and a note I can't read," says she. "It's from some guy who says he's a friend of (one of the neighbors)and saw you sealing the driveway Saturday."

I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried! Am I on Candid Camera?! (Or, if you're under 35, am I being Punk'd?) It sure feels like it.

I've got 12 bags of marble chip in my trunk, so I need to go empty that out. Stay tuned for more on what the note said ...