Adventureful

This afternoon Hubby Tony was doing some volunteer work. While he was gone I took a walk, part of which involved swinging by the grocery store to pick up a couple of things Tony needed to cook dinner. As I left the house with my day pack I didn't know that my walk would turn into quite the adventure.  

The adventure started in the subdivision next to mine. In the middle of a block I saw a colorful cardboard box on top of a pole. On the side of the box was a hand written sign that advertised free comics.

Even though I was on the other side of the street I crossed over to see what was going on. Inside the box was another sign, and two stacks of copied, hand-drawn, hand-stapled comic 'books' weighed down with plastic shoe box lids.

Each stack had a different title. If I had to guess, by the quality of the plot, writing, and illustrations the author was a boy and around 8 years old.

I like to encourage young creativity. When my boys were that age they would have been excited if someone picked up something they put out, so I chose a copy of Banana Man vs Mr. Pancake, slid it into my back pack, and kept walking. I'd only gone a couple of blocks when it occurred to me that the author might enjoy a thank you note. I didn't have anything to write on or with, but figured I could probably find what I needed at the grocery store.

Ten minutes later I passed the house of the person who sometimes puts out free flowers. I crossed the road again to see what was there. The other times I've found blooms there the table was unattended. Today the homeowner and a couple of friends were hanging out there. I was going to take one bunch of pink mums, but a bunch of dark pink mini mums also wanted to come home with me. The long. wet flowers wouldn't fit into my day pack without getting the comic book wet, so I carried the two bunches in my hand and continued toward the store.

Shortly before entering I realized the flower packaging had SKUs on them, which might cause the cashier to think I was stealing when I checked out. I stopped by the self-serve stand and explained the issue, but the associate didn't seem to be at all concerned. 

I only needed four things so I didn't bother to get a cart. It was a little difficult to carry everything, but I managed. After making my purchase I walked over to cafe area and reorganized my things-purchased items in the day pack and the flowers in the grocery bag. Because the flowers still wouldn't fit in the day pack I had to cradle them in the crook of my arm like a beauty pageant bouquet.

The cafe tables had napkin dispensers. I borrowed a pen from someone sitting at one of the tables and write out a couple of words.

On the way back home I stopped by the comics box again and slid my note underneath the plastic lids so it wouldn't blow away. I wish I could be there to see what happened when the author (or his parents) brought everything in for the day.

Five years ago: He's Deciding To Hang It Up