Ralph & Hazel

Every morning on my way to work, snow, rain, or shine, there is an older couple walking their dog down Columbia Ave. I have affectionately named him Ralph and her Afton. The dog's name is Hazel. . .one of those little yappy canines that I avoid at all costs. Ralph is balding with a little belly and Afton is super skinny with big hair. Without fail, they are holding hands. . .sometime talking and sometimes walking in silence. I have had some serious conversations lately with friends about our "deal breakers"--those circumstances that might cause a relationship to end immediately. I have some very specific DB. For example, I can't be with anyone who wears socks with sandals and if they even think about blowing their nose in the shower, I'll puke (added that for you C & RL)! I don't want to be with someone who isn't thoughtful and I certainly have issued with back hair. . .though there is a possibility for me to overlook this if other allowances are granted (don't really want to get into that). Anyway, I drove past my friends this morning and decided that instead of deal breakers, I should definitely be focussing on looking for deal makers. Ralph probably never offers to do the dishes and I bet Afton does her share of nagging. Maybe he buys her power tools for her birthday and she won't let him have a gun in the house. The funny thing is that when I see them walking, none of those things seem to matter. They're happy and I'm pretty sure they really love eachother--even though Ralph insists on letting Hazel sleep with them. I guess I'm just saying that I should look for the good things. . .like I'm sure Ralph always helps Afton put on her coat and she boils eggs for him every morning--even though the smell makes her sick. I bet he lets her put her cold feet on his side of the bed at night and she always calls him "honey" and "sweetheart." Isn't that what I should be looking for? You should know this isn't a picture of Ralph and Afton. . .it's actually a picture I took of a couple when I was visiting London. Aren't they great? Just didn't want Ralph and Afton to think I'm a stalker. The last time I pulled over and tried to take a picture of them, Ralph yelled "attack" and Hazel about jumped through my car window.