Case in point: Europe in the late 80s. GIs were being stalked by terrorists, killed and their IDs were being stolen for the terrorists to get on base and plant bombs. So we were instructed to scan for the same face as we were moving around. I traveled with a gaggle from my squadron to Stockholm for a staff assistance visit and when we were walking around town I kept seeing the same face. He was an older guy and didn’t fit the profile and I finally figured out he was assigned by the Swedes to watch after us because there were a couple senior officers in our group. Sure enough, when we went to a restaurant for dinner he was two tables away sitting alone facing us. Later we were sitting at the airport to depart and I casually mentioned how it was funny the Swedes had assigned us a baby sitter and he wasn’t trying very hard to keep us from knowing and my CO and the rest of the gaggle freaked out because none of them had noticed. How could they miss it?!
Loved this. You’re a writer! 🏆 I think some of this can be passed down as well. Good & bad. Intuition? Who knows. But, I notice things on a regular. All things, good & bad, and I had a pretty great childhood. My mom was a little unpredictable & she was raised with a legitimate unhinged father. She was never abused physically, but watched her brothers get punched by her dad “ like a bar fight.”
He would knock his construction worker off a roof with a 2 X 4 if they stopped working. 🤦♀️
She saw this everyday. It becomes part of your DNA maybe? Anxiety, Fear, Love, & Security, at different levels, all make us stronger & more perceptive.
Thanks for sharing this. Your grandma was your Angel. 😇 It happens so often now, people aren’t even surprised. It’s usually drugs that cause it. Kids adapt the best they can. My daughter places kids that have no relatives in this scenario. There are many angels around, willing to take kids & care for them. 💕💕
In 2026, I expect just about anything, but whether I expect it or not, I should be caught off guard by a police car that's been riding behind me for at least a quarter mile.
incredibly good writing! you are a master of your subject! I love the way you write as an almost disinterested observer of phenomenon. no crybaby blaming bullshit. bravo!!!
Case in point: Europe in the late 80s. GIs were being stalked by terrorists, killed and their IDs were being stolen for the terrorists to get on base and plant bombs. So we were instructed to scan for the same face as we were moving around. I traveled with a gaggle from my squadron to Stockholm for a staff assistance visit and when we were walking around town I kept seeing the same face. He was an older guy and didn’t fit the profile and I finally figured out he was assigned by the Swedes to watch after us because there were a couple senior officers in our group. Sure enough, when we went to a restaurant for dinner he was two tables away sitting alone facing us. Later we were sitting at the airport to depart and I casually mentioned how it was funny the Swedes had assigned us a baby sitter and he wasn’t trying very hard to keep us from knowing and my CO and the rest of the gaggle freaked out because none of them had noticed. How could they miss it?!
You're welcome.
Loved this. You’re a writer! 🏆 I think some of this can be passed down as well. Good & bad. Intuition? Who knows. But, I notice things on a regular. All things, good & bad, and I had a pretty great childhood. My mom was a little unpredictable & she was raised with a legitimate unhinged father. She was never abused physically, but watched her brothers get punched by her dad “ like a bar fight.”
He would knock his construction worker off a roof with a 2 X 4 if they stopped working. 🤦♀️
She saw this everyday. It becomes part of your DNA maybe? Anxiety, Fear, Love, & Security, at different levels, all make us stronger & more perceptive.
Thanks for sharing this. Your grandma was your Angel. 😇 It happens so often now, people aren’t even surprised. It’s usually drugs that cause it. Kids adapt the best they can. My daughter places kids that have no relatives in this scenario. There are many angels around, willing to take kids & care for them. 💕💕
Why is a cop car driving on a walking/bike path?
At what point should anyone on such a path expect a vehicle?
In 2026, I expect just about anything, but whether I expect it or not, I should be caught off guard by a police car that's been riding behind me for at least a quarter mile.
I never do this, but a lot of people have no audio situational awareness due to wireless ear buds.
Going out in public wearing a device which prevents one's ability to hear and be situationally aware?
That deserves a bit of mocking.
Seeing as the guy wasn't responding to the police PA?
I'm gonna assume the guy gad such earbuds.
Unless... there is a possibility the guy is deaf
In that case?
The cop is the moron for assuming everyone on a walking path can hear.
Some variables to consider.
you would make a great sailor!
incredibly good writing! you are a master of your subject! I love the way you write as an almost disinterested observer of phenomenon. no crybaby blaming bullshit. bravo!!!