I took the day off from work today, as I am bumping my limit of paid vacation hours (actually, I exceeded it, and they told me I need to use it or lose it).
Anyway, that's not the point of this post. I am enjoying a bit of 'stay at home' time here. I am in my office at the computer, and I see this huge 4-door... Buick? slowly pull up outside, across the street, and stop. I normally do not pay too much attention to such things, because the lady across the street runs a day-care from her home, and the other neighbor across the street has friends to stop by, etc. - but I decided to take a look out the window, and make sure all was okay - especially since the dogs that are tied outside were going nuts barking!
I saw this elderly woman, stooped over from age (although when I saw her up close, she probably wasn't too much older than me - mid-50's perhaps), walking up to my neighbors door, with a black bible opened, and some sort of magazines in her hand.
Now, being an ex-JW, we all know who it was, right? Yuppers, a JW going to the neighbor's door. Or trying to Their dog was on a leash, but barking his little head off at this woman.
I quickly exited my mobile home, and was standing my driveway watching her, and her husband who was driving. (I'm ready to get their license number, too - just in case.)
She is halfway up the neighbor's sidewalk, but is stopped by the neighbor's barking chihuahua (who is friendly, and would lick you to death, but she doesn't know this). She sees me, and lamely says that she is trying to visit the neighbor, Sally (not her real name - I have changed so as to not violate board policy).
I say, "Oh, really?" with raised eyebrow, and cold tone to my voice. (Hell, I know who the woman is, and what she is there for.)
She walks over, stooped, and says, "Yes. Her daughter had run away, and ran through our parking lot at our kingdom hall, and I was stopping by to make sure things are alright."
Well, I know of the incident that she is talking about, and it happened several months ago... like 5 or 6 months. So, I say something like, "I see." Still looking warily at her (and making her nervous - I am a master at making folks uncomfortable.)
She continues, "Yes, I suppose things are alright now, (pant - puff) I was also going to leave these magazines with her." She opens the folded magazines to reveal... TADA!!! The Awake and Watchtower.
She then continues, "But the dog won't let me get to the door to see if Sally is home.", kinda with a half-laugh.
"Uh-huh." I reply, still glaring at her.
"Would you like them?" She offers them to me.
"No." I reply. "I know what they are. You do realize that there is a 'No solicitors' sign up front at the entrance, don't you?"
"Oh - we're not soliciting. I'm here to give Sally some information." (or somesuch - I don't remember, but it was the usual denial drival) she replies, already headed back to her car. (I think she may have smelled the 'demunz' on me...)
"Well, yes you are soliciting." I answer (yeah - it's a lame response - give me a break.)
"If I were soliciting, how would I know Sally's name?" she retorts over her shoulder - still walking back to her car, as fast as her legs could carry her stooped-over frame.
"If you know Sally lives there, how come the dog is barking at you?" I reply, as I start back up my sidewalk. (Yes, another lame response.)
They slowly pulled away, turned around at the corner cul-de-sac, and left the park.
I will tell my wife, when she gets back, and we will have to have a little 'enlightening' talk with Sally when she is at home in the evenings.
For those that may not be aware, there is a Kingdom Hall not too far from where I live. Yes, Sally's daughter, who is all of 14, ran away from home, but it's been like 5 or 6 months ago. She is now being home-schooled, and is doing better. Sally has not been associated with the JW's - other than her daughter running through their parking lot... and probably on a meeting night, where she evidently came into contact with some goody-two-shoes Jws.
When my wife and I talk to Sally, we will be sure to let her know of their ulterior motives, and the propaganda that they are spreading (like manure).
I know this wasn't much of a story to relate - I just felt that I had to document it. It kinda felt good being a jerk to the JWs, and making some poor lady squirm. Oh, and by the way... the woman wasn't too kind in her approach. In fact, she was kinda rude. Even if I wasn't aware of who they were, if she was trying to get someone interested... she needs to work on her 'personable' skills.
Regards,
Jim TX