“To ensure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness and maintain an interest in life.” Great philosophy, but I would add one thing: “sleep like a kitty.”

This morning I went to the bakery to pick up some gooey pecan rolls for a coworker’s birthday. Cross-stitching-golf-lover-guy was there again, complete with magnifying lamp and DMC floss. He was working on a new pattern (still golf), but his wardrobe had changed. The sweater vest and khakis from the last sighting were replaced by…a police uniform. Hmph. Whodathunkit. I had to wait in line for quite a while, so I got to watch him work. It was pretty fascinating. He was so careful, so focused on each and every stitch, checking and double checking his pattern. I couldn’t help but look at him a little differently. His choice of location was just as surprising, as was how seemingly unaware he was of how strange the whole thing looks. But his pride in his work was unmistakable — as was his joy. Maybe he does know how strange he looks. Maybe he just doesn’t care who’s watching. Cross stitching over coffee with his buddies at the local bakery makes him happy. So…

“Dear cross-stitching-golf-lover-guy: I’m really glad I saw you today. And I hope one day to be more like you.”

When I wasn’t watching golf-lover-guy, the little old white-haired man in line in front of me glanced at the package of sweets in my hands. He looked at me, nodded at the rolls and said, “Can I go home with you?” As soon as he said it, I think he realized that what had come out of his mouth didn’t necessarily reflect his actual train of thought. So without hesitation, I said, “You bet.”