It would really take too long listing all that has been eventful on this trip from California to Maine.

Road trips always stimulate the visuals in one's travels. The scenery is oohed and aahed countless times. To convey the imagery only by verbal description, most times, it becomes syrupy with repetitive adjectives. There is a time to stop comparing the fall colors in this town to that in the next and next. Time to stop complaining of the traffic and road conditions in Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, etc.

However, sitting idly, drinking a beverage, watching and listening to people … that is what makes my day.

The following wonderful people, out of many, who confided more than could ever be listed here, are my offering.

Farrah, 35 , day manager at a local suites motel, Wichita, KS; both mother and father died in their 50’s of lung cancer that was pinpointed to their having been heavy smokers for over 40 years. Farrah also smokes.

Attended college 2 years, got pregnant, quit school, had another child, then took another one in when that child’s mother left the state to find better work … that was a year ago... still has child. Lives with boy friend. No health insurance. Struggling to keep life together.

 Queanna, but just plain “Q” to her friends, is employed by the Corner Coffee Shop, Ferguson, Missouri.

Now Q resembles Dionne Warwick. That is, when Dionne was younger, Q is 25. Her facial structure, especially her high cheek bones, and smile are stunning.

The deep ebony skin shines like polished ironwood. Her brushed shoulder length hair, with handful strands dyed deep magenta, is only one of her attention grabbers.

What a smile … close lipped ... one that does not show teeth … a smile that brings attention to her eyes … there she takes you in. Into her world. A world of easy and slow conversation, a world of excellent elocution spoken softly and with feeling. Whoever becomes involved with this intelligent beauty will always be counting their lucky stars.

Now, would you like to meet people, with interesting lives? Well you can ... just get off your duff and amble to someplace where you have to engage in conversation.

It just comes naturally, when they find out you are really listening to them.