This blog will be a little different than my usual ones but since I write about connecting dots, this one fits right in.
I love trains, so I am on one now to visit a friend and my sister. Walking, buses, and trains are my primary means of transportation. I take Uber, as needed, since I have not owned a car since 2013.
Today I am sitting in coach but I do like business class due to a few advantages. One reason being, it is close to the cafe car! Today, no cafe car for me. I already had my coffee!
I met my friend, with whom I am visiting today, on this very train. We started talking in the station on one of my trips at least 4 years ago. She would come to the city to visit her daughter. That day she was heading home as I was heading to NJ to visit my son. We made a connection and talked the whole time. We have visited several times, even once in the Outer Banks. This is my second trip to her neck of the woods. We have met each other's dynamic children! Yes, we are joyful parents of adults who are now as old as we are. (See below to figure that math.)
The ride is lovely from the city east to NYC. I disembark about half way for this journey. I love the city but the rural communities have a peaceful ambiance from my window view. This train goes right past my sister's street in our city and around the world famous Horseshoe Curve near Altoona, Pa as part of this journey. Man can accomplish herculian tasks! Read about or ask your AI friend about that labor intensive project.
After a wicked night of storms, the day is gloriously sunny! The train actually stops at towns which experienced some damage last night. As we travel east, there maybe more clouds.
I already spoke with Jeff in the station as we waited to board. He lives in the city too but is going home to visit family who still live in one of the smaller towns along the way. He was a coal miner, but work is unsteady, so he changed jobs. We all adapt don't we? We got alot in to talk about in a short time. He is 60, I told him I had 10 plus years on him. He complimented me. I said I am 39 in Jack Benny years! This is his first train ride.
A family of four are going to NYC for the weekend. The young adults know now, but it is a surprise trip too see the Broadway show, Wicked. Everyone in that family talked!
The couple seated near me allowed me to take a picture of the back of the man's shirt. It is a favorite place of my son's! I hope I can upload it! They are headed to Philly.
In my city, nebby means nosey. But none of us were being nebby (Yes, an old lady, who judged me by the color of my skin, called me that one day. We were at a bus stop. I bought myself a Nebby mug.) On this train ride, we were making connections and helping each other.
The train is sold out, so a women is seated next to me. She got on at our first stop. We laughed. She reached for a seatbelt. I could relate, for some reason, I reached to buckle up today. There are no seatbelts on trains. We are both on our phones and she is knitting also. She gets off a stop before I do.
How do I know so much about the people?
We all asked simple questions. Is this a line? Is it for coach? Is this the end of line? Is this seat taken? Friendly people make life sweeter.
A family with kids just boarded. The mom asked if someone would trade seats. The person said yes. The train is packed. The little girl is asking her mom many questions!
Even the conductor has to ask questions of course! The conductor thanked the person who moved.
There is a certain level of trust too on a train as we leave our bags to hit the restroom or bounce our way to the cafe car! Sometimes, we have to ask if "I can scoot past you?" to get to the aisle, if in a window seat.
ASK.. it does a lot for your a spirit! You never know if you don't ask!
I met a stranger on this train one day who is now a dear friend. We talked in the station. She asked as we boarded, Do you mind if I sit with you? Thank goodness, I responded, Yes!
My friend will be meeting me today at her station!
Love,
Marian
September 4, 2026
