On Saturday, we drove across state lines to go to the Big City to look at some bathroom tile. There are several tile stores there, but only one was open on Saturday. Things close early around here. Many businesses aren’t open on Saturday. More aren’t open on Sunday. In the REALLY BIG CITY (hereinafter referred to as the RBC), you become accustomed to finding almost anything you want exactly when you want it. You become impatient. The pace here is slower, so you have to make careful plans and be patient if you want to get things done.

I called the tile shop before we left. There was no answer, but later, I received a call on my cell phone from the owner of the shop. He said the young woman who was working that day was busy with a customer, so the phone forwarded to his phone. He told us to come on by, take whatever samples we need, and if we have any questions, call him on his cell phone. It didn’t surprise me. They do things differently here.

We drove past the lumber mill on the way to the Big City. I turned to My Taller Half.

Fifty-three days.

No. Sixty-five at least.

We were both disgusted to see the sign read 4 Days without an Accident. We will never break triple digits again at this rate!

My Taller Half is always remarking on all the things that are left unsecured or marginally secured around here. If you left those riding lawn mowers outside in the RBC, someone with a big truck and some bolt cutters would make off with them in a heartbeat. He may be cynical, but he’s also right. If he sees a purse in a grocery cart unattended, he will confront the owner and tell her that she shouldn’t turn her back on the shopping cart with her purse sitting in it. It is liable to be stolen. Then he’ll help load their groceries and take the empty cart back to the store. I’ve told him that in the RBC, if a big man makes a comment like that, it might be taken as a veiled threat, and if he reached for their packages or the cart, it might turn ugly. The ladies here just smile and say, “Why, thank you so much!” They do things differently around here.

I first realized this the day I closed on this house. I walked over to introduce myself to my new neighbors. I gave them my cell phone number should anything odd happen at the house. They told me to let them know if there was anything they could do for me, I need only to call. They meant it.

A few weeks later, I had ordered something from CONGLOMO STORE that was supposed to arrive at the post office in Pixley on Saturday. It was a long weekend, and I was planning to spend it working on the house. I had a 6 ½ hour drive from my RBC to Pixley, and I expected the package to be waiting for me when I arrived. Instead, I received a call from my neighbors, who said the postal worker thought the house was empty so they took the package back to the post office. I pulled over at the next rest stop to call the Pixley Post Office. They were only open until 11:30 a.m. I couldn’t be there by then, and Monday was a federal holiday. I was almost in tears. They wouldn’t hold the package for my next scheduled visit in a month.

The woman at the post office took pity on me. Come to the post office between 9:00 and 11:30 on Monday… but don’t let anyone see you. The post office is officially closed, but I will be working, and if you come while I’m there, I will give you the package.

The post office opening on a federal holiday to help someone. This just does not happen in the RBC. Never! But they do things differently here. Here, people say “Yes, sir,” or “Yes, ma’am,” and “Have a blessed day.” Neighbors look after each other. Some people still leave doors unlocked during the day and leave their keys in their car. Can you imagine?

This morning, My Taller Half went by the bank to make a withdrawal, but while waiting in the drive-thru. he realized he had left his wallet at home. He had no ATM card and no ID. He told the young teller that he needed to go home and get them. (Home is about three minutes away.) The teller said, “That’s okay, Mr. A. I know who you are. I can give you money.”

She had seen him before in the bank, but she didn’t know him. They weren’t close friends or neighbors. He drove home and got his wallet. We understand that there are processes in place to keep employees safe and funds safe and mail safe. The rules can be inconvenient, but the intent is to protect people and things… and to protect businesses from lawsuits. One day, some of the vice from the RBC will hit here, and life will change forever.

But not today.