Yesterday, I donned many layers of protection against the severe wind chill. My face was covered with a balaclava, my legs sheathed with wind pants, my hands protected by biking gloves overlayered with mittens.
I set off on bicycle for the video store near the town square -- the same town square where the fifteen-foot casting of the mysterious Chief Wausaneta stands. I parked my bike and entered the store. My helmet sat on my head and the balaclava covered all but my eyes.
My glasses began to fog, but I could see two little blonde moppets -- girls perhaps three and four. They took one look at one me and the older girl shrieked, "It's a space alien!" The two quickly ducked behind their momma. She chuckled.
I stripped off helmet, balaclava and mittens, and began to look more like a human being. The girls peeked from behind their mother and I heard their whispered speculations as to whether or not I was a space alien. I smiled and they hid behind their momma. Momma and I smiled at each other.
I am sure that no one in LeRoy is accustomed to a grown man -- a large grown man -- swathed in clothing and a helmet, riding a bicycle in the frigid cold.
I rented a video, donned by balaclava, helmet and mittens, and left. It was "Alien Species."Copyright Bud Polk, 1997
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