Chance encounters

Combo post, where I also show you my "plantio" - ha

While I was re-doing the pavers in the red rocks area, I also made a small plant patio (plantio) for the terra cotta pots I wanted to group together.

They get the perfect ratio of sun and shade here.  See that tall pretty pink bloom in the background?

I was walking into HEB and a woman rushed up to me with this potted plant saying "Look what I bought!" - just like she knew me. She took the plastic tag out of it to show me, and pointed down the sidewalk where they were displayed.  I thought, well, that's pretty, and I do have an empty pot.  So I walked down there and picked one out.  Immediately another lady came up to me asking where I found it. I pointed to the display and yet ANOTHER woman stopped me about it as I was walking away.  Weird.  Usually no one pays me any mind at HEB.

Its a Curcuma, a type of tropical lily, from the ginger family.  Apparently it loves the heat and will bloom all summer long, indoors or out. (the rocks at its base make it harder for the squirrels to dig)

Another person inside the store commented on it, as well as a woman in the parking lot.  I thought "do I look extra nice today? (I did not) Was it because I was smiling and looking people in the eye? (again, no)  Maybe I haven't been grocery shopping at the right time of day, because it felt very nice to have friendly interactions with strangers. It gave a little boost to my afternoon, frankly, and makes me think that I can reciprocate and will meet people.  Its not scary or terrible - it's doable.  I need to get out more often and initiate more chance encounters.  Life is not meant to be lived alone, they say.