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The best things in life are free
(by Jennifer Botkin Phillips - June 25, 2008)
When sitting on a sunny bench in Closter the other day waiting for a repair on my Jeep, the American Proverb, “The best things in life are free,” came to mind. Since I rarely find myself with idle time, when it does happen I’m initially stunned. However, acceptance gradually comes and then I get almost get giddy while figuring out how to fill the gift in my lap. Why don’t I do this more often? I mean, schedule free time like we schedule a lunch date. Why? Because I’m always on the run!
But, the air-conditioner in my Jeep had stopped working the week before and since my trusted mechanic’s shop was in Closter, I drove the 10-miles to see about getting it functioning again.
With the mechanic being barely one-half block from quaint downtown, I decided I’d rather wait for my Jeep while walking about town rather than hanging out at the shop. Heading down the slight slope of a hill to Main Street, I settled myself on a shady city bench. It was late morning and the temperature was pleasant; a respite from the higher temperature and unbearable humidity of recent weeks. Huge puffy clouds gently floated across a jewel blue sky creating an “all’s right with the world” feeling.
It became rather cool sitting under the shade tree and I was glad I wore my jean jacket. I was thoroughly enjoying the luxury of doing nothing. That is, until a flying feathered fowl of which I never saw delivered an unwelcome dropping that fell splat on the back of the bench next to where I was sitting.
Eek! It was the kind of serendipity I didn’t want repeated, and I promptly removed myself from my cozy, bench perch.
I crossed the street to walk down the other side to see what I could see all the while hoping the city birds would all stay in the vicinity I’d just left.
Coming upon another city bench in front of a Korean restaurant, with half sun, half shade, I parked myself there. Opening the book I’d brought, I tried to get back into the story. But, with the church bells ringing, which always gives me pause upon hearing, people coming and going, and the natural inclination to gaze upward at the forever-changing sky, I became caught up in the town’s pulse and was on the move again.
Once I reached the end of the block, I crossed the street at the beautiful gardens of Alice Barkely Square, where the big round-faced clock stood and began walking back up the other side of the street.
Passing The Red Maple Luncheonette, an intriguing name in itself, I couldn’t resist entering. It looked like one of the town’s claims to the olden days. Sure enough, upon talking with the wait staff, I learned it has been there for around six decades and still had regular customers.
After continuing down the brick lined walkway, I came to another city bench that looked to be the perfect spot to wait for my mechanic to call. It was in a full-sun next to a tree and across from two empty storefronts, a fairly low traffic zone. So, I sat down and made myself comfortable.
It was now about half past noon and the sun was getting warmer. Warm enough to take off my jean jacket. Laying it over the back of the bench and further feeling the suns rays, I began pondering the recent news heading that many of us aren’t getting enough of Vitamin D. And, that with just 15 minutes of sun every day, researchers are now saying that we can help create Vitamin D in our body to improve our health.
I may never get my 15 minutes of fame but I sure can get my 15 minutes of sun… and for free! Even while sitting on a city bench in Northern Bergen County. I don’t even have to go to the shore!
Sexagenarian that I may be, I pulled my just-below-the-knees skirt to just above my knees and immediately took a trip in my mind back to my days on Santa Monica Beach. As a young and uninformed mother, I slathered my body in baby oil and lay out for hours bathing in small material suits to get that coveted California golden tan. We girls had a saying in those days that tan flab is more attractive than white flab, so we were all about as golden as one could be.
Looking at my clock on my cell phone, I began timing my 15 minutes in the sun. The day before while up at DePiero’s I was sitting out at the lunch tables and pulled my pant legs up to my knees and rolled up the sleeves of my jean jacket. Feeling frivolous and silly, I called my friend Marie to tell her I was working on my 15 minutes in the sun, despite the mammoth clouds blocking it.
My fully clothed legs and arms exposure sunbathing ended with a cell phone call from my mechanic that my Jeep was ready.
The following day my friend Marie and I were talking and she told me that all you really need to get the Vitamin D absorption is to have your face and head exposed to the sun.
What? I didn’t have to make a spectacle of myself in a neighboring town?
Nonetheless, I wouldn’t trade the serenity and exhilaration I gained from relishing the sights and sounds from city benches for anything. Well, maybe the unwelcome deposits from the flying fowl.
Until next time… Top Blonde… on the run.
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