First, let me say that while there are most definitely small town politics here (just ask me some time about trying to get a sign put out on my shop and the b.s. I went through until I got creative with town history!) but this is more about the little things that make up adventure in a small rural community. Second: See, I told you I’d still be posting about reality. There’s just too much that happens in real life that is story, though not quite literature.
Just took a quick ride uptown to stop at the deli and the post office. Uh-oh. A mother turkey and five chicks trying to cross the road from the other direction, and ours is a swerving, wind-y, uphill, downhill road. I flashed my high beams at all traffic coming from the other direction, with visions of coming back in five minutes to what would look like a pillow fight in the middle of the road by the time I returned.
When I stopped at the post office, I found the "in town" slot covered. Went inside the main area to find out what was going on and was told that Burlington is no longer a central processing point. "But why?" I ask. "Everything goes to Hartford now," Joe said, "and goes through the biohazard checkpoint to make sure you’re not sending anything nasty through the mail." "Bummer," says I. "You guys were so great. I could mail something here at 4 pm and it would get delivered the next day if it was in-state. These are just invoices all going to Burlington customers." "We’re still great," he said, "just a little slower but a lot safer." I had to agree.
"Tell you what I’m going to do," Joe says. "Because I like you, I’m going to stamp them right now and hand it to the carrier and you’ll get same-day delivery." What a guy. Since my next thought was just to drive direct and stick them in the mailboxes.
This is what a small town can offer. I realize that he probably shouldn’t have done this, but I mean, c’mon. Joe lives two doors down from me.
Oh and the turkey family must have made it safely across the road.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology
How do you divide up your time?
Not quite sure what you are asking–if there is more to it than a straight question, but I would say that I respond to where I’m supposed to be and when, then wander through the rest.