I spent a great deal of time this summer and fall walking through my subdivision. I found that if you do it often enough, you begin to notice some things. And with those observations, come questions.  Well, at least I have questions.

• For example, I'd see a dog in a window of a home. How long had the pet been part of the family? Was it young or old? Is it the most important member of the household? What does that dog think of me?
  
• The OU banner hanging from the side of the garage. Is it school pride or does the homeowner want to just tease the UT fans in the neighborhood? Did he actually go to OU? Does he have neighbors that don't like him simply because of the banner?
  
• The container of Round Up that had been on the side lawn for three weeks. Does the owner of the lawn ever take a look around?  How long will it remain there?  Didn't he use the weed killer to make his lawn look better in the first place? Didn't the weeds look better than the container?
  
• The clouds in the sky that turn orange as the sun goes down. It's majestic. Completely majestic. Why had I never noticed them before?
  
• The chalk drawing on the sidewalk. Was the child giggling when he/she did the work of art or simply bored? Did her parents praise her? When's the last time I held a piece of chalk?
  
• The customized sign professionally placed into the brick by a front door that reads "Absolutely No Solicitors". Are the people in the home angry? Do they generally hate people other that solicitors? What happens when someone doesn't read the sign and rings the door bell to sell something?
• The tire marks on the roadway by the stop sign. Who was in such a hurry and why? Was it some kid jacking around?
• The faded boarding pass to Chicago that was blown against a fence. What in the heck did that man do in Chicago? Who missed him while he was away? Was he happy to go? Does he travel often?
  
• The folks that are getting a pool installed. Did they expect everyday to be a party? Would it be used? Why do we like water so much?
  
• The "For Sale" sign in the yard with the agent's name on it. Why were the people moving? How many times had the agent shown the house? Did she enjoy that job? Is there something bad about the house that the seller won't disclose?
  
• The teenage couple sitting by each other on the drive way engrossed in a conversation. What were they talking about? Were they boyfriend/girlfriend?  Why did they pick the drive way to have the conversation? Was there anything more important to them than each other?
  
• The man who looks like he was arriving home from work at 8:00 p.m. Does he always get home that late? Is it worth it? What job does he have?
• The house with the ski boat in the drive way. Was it worth the investment? Does it get used enough? Again, why do we love the water so much?
  
• The lady walking her dog carrying plastic baggies so she can pick up the dog's poop. Who is in charge on this planet?
• The jet plane in the sky going into DFW Airport. Where was it coming from? Is anyone looking down in my general direction at that moment? Why do I always think its full of people coming home?
  
• The flower beds that are immaculate and the flower beds that are neglected. Why? Is it called a  flower bed even if it has no flowers in it?
  
• The Kerry/Edwards sign that was placed inside a window of a home. Why inside? Was it being stolen if placed on the lawn? Why do I think the people in the home might be rebels?
• The "Disabled Vet" license plate on the car in the drive way. What war? How? To what extent are you disabled?
  
• The tiny scooter on the front lawn. Will the kid get in trouble for leaving it there? How long had it been there? Did the now disabled vet at one time play on a scooter as a child?
  
• The house with the cracks in bricks. Why do I fear foundation trouble so much?
  
• The home security sticker on a front window. Does that really deter a burglar? Does the home really have an activated system? How could anyone break into a stranger's home anyway?
• The car with the dented right quarter panel. Why hasn't it been fixed? Is there an insurance problem? Did they have insurance? What was the accident like? Did somebody get yelled at?
  
• The football in the yard. Is there anything more fun than throwing a football? Why do I always feel the need to "drop back" before I throw one?
• All the mailboxes. How in the world is all the mail delivered every day? Will home delivery some day come to an end? Do people still write letters?
  
• The water running down the curb from a forgotten water sprinkler. Don't we waste a lot of water on lawns? Why do we treat water like there is an endless supply? Don't we love water?
  
• The same water that then runs into a storm sewer. What's down there? Where does that water go?
• My feet. I couldn't walk a year ago because of a torn Achilles Tendon. Now I can walk. Why do we take our health for granted? What would life be like if I couldn't walk? Is there someone in this neighborhood that can't walk?
• The train horn in the background. Where is the train going?  For that matter, where do all trains go?
• A stop sign. Everyone respects a stop sign, don't they?
  
• Trash set out to be picked up. Where does all the trash go?  When's the last time I went to a dump yard?
  
• A satellite dish. So many houses have satellite dishes. How do they work? Who came up with the idea to put a satellite in orbit in the first place? How many satellites are up there?
• A couple walking and pushing a baby stroller. Why is that so peaceful? Why does it look so perfect?
  


And then I'm back at home. And I want a drink of water.