All days should be this good
Robert Shearon

My wife and I were at the Expressions Art Show at the Governor's Mansion a couple of weeks ago.

Although we had plans for later in the evening, Shelia said she wanted to just ditch those plans and stay at the art show.

We've been married long enough that I knew not to argue.

"That's OK," I said, "But I have to sit down." I've got some back problems and I had been standing about as long as I was going to.

She said this sounded like an excellent plan and shepherded us to the buffet line where we picked over the tasty offerings. Then she handed me her plate and told me to find us a place to sit.

Obediently, I shuffled off.

There were some empty chairs, but only at tables where other people were sitting.

I wandered around the room, hoping someone would get up and leave an empty table.

Seeming to sense my distress, a woman seated by herself at a table asked if we would like to join her and her husband. Apparently she figured out my wife was fetching drinks, as was her husband.

I thanked her profusely and sat down. Ahhh. Relief.

We chatted for a few minutes as we awaited our spouses. I learned that she was Debbie Austin, a Birch Tree employee, and her husband, Francis, was a teacher at a Christian school.

Our spouses returned about the same time and we all got to visit for a few minutes before the Austins went back to the show.

Shelia and I headed the other way and checked out the parts of the building that were open to us. Pretty impressive.

As we approached our car, we noticed the Lexus parked behind us, which was parked with its lights on when we arrived, still had its lights on.

I checked and the car's engine was running and the GPS was lit up. But no one was inside.

I found that really odd. The driver must get his gas on the cheap.

All in all, it was a good time. Got to say "hi" to the governor and his wife, look at some neat art, make some new friends and eat some great food. All my days should be that good.

--- Robert Shearon is a staff writer for the Saline County Voice.