THE WELCOME MAT!

    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH., 2018
          THE WELCOME MAT

    Our visit to Vinalhaven Island,
  12 miles off the coast of the Maine
  mainland, has been even better than
  expected thus far.
    Some must have told them we were
  coming because the Welcome Mat had
  definitely been rolled out!
     The Ferry Boat voyage was smooth
  sailing and the attendants placed
  our car in a position to get off
  first.
     Our host, my old friend Bob,had
  already set out steaks for our
  dinner feast so we were off to a
  very good start!
     A neighbor, who none of us had
  met, stopped by. My first thought
  was that he had smelled the steak
  and wanted to see if there were any
  leftovers. Wrong!
     "Pete" as we've now come to
  know him, is building a new place
  next store and was concerned that
  a break in his circuit box might have
  caused us to lose his Internet service!
  We hadn't even know that his wireless
  network was there, let alone available
  to us. But it is! He just wants to be
  a good neighbor. And he is!!!!
        Our driving tour around the
  island took us to a secluded road
  leading to a Light house. We casually
  waved to the young woman and her Mom
  who were sitting on a plush sofa on the
  front lawn of their property. But they
  responded with a wave that beckoned us
  to come over. So we did!
        Catherine and her Mom , and
  their dog, were just anxious to say hello to
  passerby's like us. We chatted for nearly a
  half hour sharing stories about our families
  and travels. They just wanted to be friends.
  And, now they are!
        Back at my buddy's cottage I rushed
  out quickly after dinner hoping to catch
  a picture of the sunset. As I focused my
  camera I met Bobby who was taking his
  grand daughter's dog for a walk. We talked
  about the sunset and the Lobster boats in
  the distance. Turns out Bobby is a
  Lobster man. When I suggested I'd like to
  get a couple for tomorrow's dinner he
  said to stop by when we're set and he'll
  have them ready. And he will.
        These folks may not have a Welcome
  Mat on their doorstep, but they sure know
  how to welcome visitors! About now I'm
  hoping all their, and your, NEWS is good!