So we all go to work somewhere everyday, right?

I pull up to mine a few days ago, and the main streets are fenced off. First Thought: "What's up?" Second Thought: "No cars allowed? No business." It's hot as hell and twice as humid, but I decide to walk up the street a few blocks to try and find someone with The Answer. Don't we all?

As it turns out, a man went up to the front doors of a bank two blocks away - they have him on video tape - left a wrapped box at the front door - and RAN.

The System kicks in.

Three hours later, the streets are allowed to reopen. Three hours of guaranteed empty stores for all of us along our valuable main drag.

Ugh.

Fortunately, a woman came in later who was behaving with such a quiet, thorough enthusiasm, I felt a little relief. Eventually I told her ("Kim") she held "The Record" for the month of July - if not longer - for Dedicated Browsing in FUTURES." She was looking under and over. THAT is thorough. (Most people only look at what is presented from waist to eye height.)

The bank didn't blow up. Since we heard Nada on the Fada*, we're assuming everything was a good dud.

Kim continued to be a welcome visitor, and did what few customers do - provided me with lots of feedback, especially about my web site. In fact, she was visiting the storefront because of Digital-FUTURES.

When I hear that, I often question folks for a minute ("Do you think my photos are representing the real things in a reasonable way?" etc.), but she began offering thoughts freely, which were very welcome (especially because she was encouraging - I mean, let's face it, everyone with a small business takes a battering from various angles every day, so encouragement is a breath of fresh air).

On my site, Kim looks over all my inventory, but also reads what I write on this "News and Opinions" page.

Now, I must tell you, I doubted anyone read this stuff. My site counter has never indicated this is a Point of Destination. THEN it dawned on me - jeez I'm slow sometimes - (please palm-pound your forehead as I did) that my site counter records only the entry and exit pages...not what falls in the middle of a surfin' safari. Very few people go to an antique/design/art site anyhow for the mumblings of the owner. Duh.

I mean, DUH.

So, I want to thank Kim, and anyone else reading what I write, and say I appreciate it. My "philosophy" on laying words in a line is: I say what's on my mind and spend little time pondering their effect. I'm crude that way. I'll try harder from now on (but please, do not hit me with grammar corrections-n-junk like that... I'll get all paranoid-n-stuff, and start stealing parts of famous novels just to slow your commatic-criticisms).

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(* Nada is Spanish for "nothing". Fada was a brand of radio.)