Monday, September 20, 2010

Surprises


I just love surprises, of any description. To me some of the best times in life are those which are not planned or anticipated. Unless we're talking about finding a caterpillar on one's pillow, which is exactly what happened to me last night. No lie.

Over a week ago, I went to Mobjack to photograph some churches, an old school and a wharf. Along the way were many unexpected scenes starving for attention, including this building which sits right next to the Bohannon post office.

Since traffic is nonexistent light in this neck of the woods, I pulled over across the road and started taking pictures. This window was particularly charming; the curtains, unexpected.

Someone who's been here a while can tell me what this place was, but I'm going to guess a filling station or a store. Maybe both. Maybe neither.

Regardless, it was an unexpected gift on my photographic journey.





Just like Friday last, when I was supposed to go to the library to do some research. The sunshine was brilliant, as it was in the shots above, so I never made it to the library just had to sneak in a few pictures. Except I wasn't sure where to go. I never am.

So I just drove on through the Court House and arbitrarily made a left at the Convalescent Center where I'll be living in a few short years. The road took me past the Tabernacle and then twisted this way and that.

All of a sudden, while debating which way to turn at an intersection, I noticed a man working on a tractor in the field and recognized him as Mr. C., someone I've loved from afar known for decades.

He jumped over the ditch as I came to a stop in the middle of the road. Leaning in to my open passenger-side window he began a conversation which lasted a good ten minutes. No, it was a great ten minutes. We talked. We laughed. We reminisced. And then we laughed some more. I could have stayed there in the middle of the road all day long. Talking and laughing.

Although I could write a book on our conversation, and maybe I will some day, my favorite part went like so:

Mr. C: Where are you headed this fine mornin'?

CBW: I don't know exactly. Wherever the wind blows me.

Mr. C: That's the very best place to go.

Indeed it is.

I'm almost always very pleasantly surprised.


9 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

That really is the best place to go. Words of wisdom.

Kay,
Alberta, Canada

Country Girl said...

I just finished reading Eat, Pray, Love and the last of it took place in Bali. Apparently, whenever you are met by someone from Bali, you are asked three questions: Where are you headed? Where are you coming from? Are you married?

I don't know why I mentioned this other than Mr. C's question reminding me of it.

Hope you have a wonderful week, my friend.

Mental P Mama said...

The wind always knows the best places to go....

deborah said...

A lovely day you had!
The people and places, delightful!
Have a great week..

Daryl said...

I like wandering aimlessly .. love it when you do too

WV foryomp .. I already have a mp, so I guess its foryo ..

big hair envy said...

I love surprises! There are so few in life, that we must appreciate each and every one:)

Diane said...

I love that no matter where you go in Mathews, it's always just the right place!

And I love the Tabernacle!

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

And the wind is never wrong...right?

Shelley Jaffe said...

I do believe that there really is nothing quite so lovely as a good chat and laugh. Throw in the impromptu factor, and the enjoyment increases exponentially.

Maybe one year, we'll just have a MeanderFest - of course, we'll all have to travel in the same vehicle, or we'll all wander off in completely different directions!!