During these stressful, frightening times, I'm learning to take solace from small things

[Siwsan]

I love talking to people, while waiting in line at the store. It drives some of my family and friends a little crazy, but that doesn't stop me.

Today, the woman in front of me shared that she also believes that if candy has a fruit filling it can be qualified as health food, and the man behind me also still uses a flip phone because, like me, he prefers to keep things simple.

Perhaps I am weird, but it is kind of comforting to know how much I have in common with complete strangers.

[uppityperson]

1. It helps remind everyone that it's not "us vs Them"

[Siwsan]

3. Exactly. We all need to talk, a whole lot more

A smile to strangers I pass in the aisle rarely goes unacknowledged.

[flamingdem]

7. +1

So true.

[oldandhappy]

2. agree with #1 -- gives us a together feeling

[NRaleighLiberal]

4. indeed. I've had a nice day - agreed to two gardening seminars next year -

emails followed by phone calls. Finished my first blog for Mother Earth News website. Documenting seeds from a tomato breeding project I lead, and received lots of seeds in the mail that will find themselves in seed catalogs next year. Just walked the dogs - it is a lovely warm evening, just after a good rain.

I wake up each morning by feeding the dogs and cats, making coffee and breakfast - my wife joins me, and I read the daily entry from Hal Borland's superb Book of Days - entries each day about the world, about nature, that makes us think and discuss stuff. Then I journal for 20 minutes or so - as part of my post book release stress reliever, trying to capture what a unique year it has been.

My happiest days are when nothing of great note happens - just comfy routines with my best friend - my wife of 36 years - surrounded by our dogs and cats, dipping in and out of our hobbies, cooking something good - maybe watching a good movie.

[RKP5637]

5. Where I live it's easy to talk to people in line, wherever. People just seem

happy and friendly. Even at the car place the other day Fox News was on and people were talking about what a disservice crap on Fox News does. Fox was trashing Obama over the terrorist stuff. And this is not an overly democratic area.

[Old Codger]

6. You bet

Although I do not use a flip phone anymore I love to engage with strangers while in line like that, always surprised at the amount of agreement i see...good way to pass time in line also...

[RKP5637]

8. Exactly! Once people start conversing they find they have a lot of common ground. I always stay

away from religion and politics. I'm never out to change someone, I just want to get along.

[trof]

9. The older I get, the more I like to talk...to anyone.

Age has made me a lot less inhibited.
Maybe it's the dementia.

I'm kidding.

I used to be terrified of public speaking.
Now?
meh

[smirkymonkey]

10. Nice post! I can be a bit reserved, mostly because I live in a large

city, but I always feel great when I make contact with strangers. It makes me feel more connected to the rest of humanity and reminds me that we are not all that different when it comes right down to it.

[monmouth4]

11. Thank goodness I'm not alone. I love talking to people, especially the stock people in the store.

I've been going there for 13 years and know them all. I had gone up north for a week or more and they were all glad to see me back, thought I had been ill, etc. It's a nice feeling..

[KamaAina]

12. It would drive me crazy too

if I were in line behind you.

[Siwsan]

13. Even if I was wearing a "Bernie" button???

[KamaAina]

14. Are you female?

That might be the winning combination.

[Siwsan]

15. Bingo!

I've converted my entire family into the fans of Bernie Sanders world.