She was bending over the sidewalk

hacking away with a vengeance.

There had been an intermittent

light mist since sunrise, but if the rains continued and she ignored the

creeping zoysia tentacles, then she knew the grass would take over the

path.

She stopped chopping though

when I pulled into her drive and turned off my ignition. For a little

while she laid down her tools. Laid them down just long enough to give

me a leisurely walking tour of her yard and garden.

Three years it's been now.

Seems like only yesterday at times. At other times it's like I've been

a Meriwether County resident forever. Of course I know I'll probably never

really fit in since I have this tendency to be a bit of a hermit. Shucks,

I lived in Fayette County for 28 years and it was about 1990 or so before

I began to feel like I could ever really belong. Then we up and left.

Wanted more peace and quiet.

Had this undeniable urge to get