Chatty Cathy

I'm beginning to think that maybe some of the boys' tremendous verbosity has to do with their mother's strange habit of talking to strangers.  I could blame it on being a stay-at-home-mom, devoid of contact with the adult world, but the sad truth is that this has plagued me for years.  I admit to being rather shy when it comes to speaking in groups or with people I might see again (at least until I get to know them); complete strangers are a different matter altogether. 

Shortly after we were married, I stopped at a convenience store to get gas.  When I went in to pay, the cashier (an elderly man) and I struck up a conversation.  He asked me where I was from and went on to say, "I spent some time in Tazewell County."  Excited that anyone had heard of, much less been to my neck of the woods, I replied, "Did you like it there?"  He exclaimed, "Hell, no!  I was in prison!"  Flustered, I muttered something and left.  I should have learned my lesson living in NOVA. 

Back in the south, however, it's a common occurrence.  When we moved to Knoxville, I remember waiting in line in TJ Maxx and commented on something some one in front of me was purchasing.  Turns out it was a girl who had lived on the same hall with me in college.  Later that evening I ran into my college recruiter in Walgreens.

I've had all kinds of conversations throughout the Scenic City though they are generally mothers with kids.  One mom and I struck up a conversation in Home Goods.  She had just given birth to her 4th (a girl after 3 boys) and I was due in just a few weeks.  As we talked motherhood and babies and homeschooling, the boys discussed their collection of CARS vehicles.  For weeks afterwards Andrew asked when we could go play at their house.

Today our paths crossed again.  A simple comment about a clothing selection.  An innocent question about her two children in tow.  One thing led to another until I finally asked if we had had a conversation once before.  The lightbulb went off, and we caught up on the happenings of the last year.

I can't wait for my next trip out, just to see who I might meet!