Polite Conversations

Today I walked the dogs at the open space near our house. It has been so dry and windy; wildfires have been springing up here and there across the state. The wind calmed down a bit and we strolled down winding paths here and there. Much sniffing was accomplished.

Back at the main trail, an older fellow on a bicycle pedaled slowly towards me. He wanted to know about the dogs: whether they were male or female, their ages, breeds. Tonka pushed forward to get a scratch; Daisy held back.

He said he had just returned from a trip to the grocery store on his bike. Up the big hill. He was tired. It's been cold. He needs to do this more often. He's 72, going on 73. His birthday is in May. Told me that, twice. I said I just turned sixty. He said sixty is pretty good; seventy is a lot harder. I told him sixty was good, so far.

Then..........

Him: Are you a Christian?
Me: [silence...thinking, where did this come from?] Not really.
Him: You must have been a Christian at some point. [why, because I'm a blonde?]
Me: When I was a kid, yes.
Him: What kind?
Me: [what kind? really?] Episcopal
Him: Well, Jesus loves you [there seemed to be an implied, "anyway" here].
Me: I'm sure he does.
Him: You should read his word.
Me: [silence]
Him: I pray every day and you should too.
Me: [silence]
Him: We need to pray for our country. Things are so bad. The world is dangerous. Our leaders don't even try to work together for our country.
Me: No, they don't. And it's going to get worse with that new guy in charge.

Our polite conversation ended abruptly at this point.

Him: [takes to the pedals] Goodbye.
Me: You have a good day.
Him: [silence]

Our lovely walk resumed. I did not look back.