In The Neighborhood & Eventful Afternoon

 Rafters in Menard's Parking Lot

Just posting a few pics I took while running errands in Rice Lake - and on the way home.  

And by the way, the other day we had quite an eventful afternoon. Some construction workers pulled up into our driveway and asked if we'd lost a toddler. Seems that there was a toddler walking along the highway just a quarter of a mile from our house. We hopped into our pickup and drove down the road. There was a little guy, all alone, wandering down the road, just above the trout stream. We called the sheriff, looked around to see if there was a car down in the creek or anyone else nearby. Then we took him back to our house. 

As you come out the west drive of the Walmart parking lot:

A friendly reminder from the farmer across the street

I think this dairy barn has been abandoned for a while.

He didn't talk, except for 'dog,' which he said when Jazzie came to the door, barking. I gave him some water and cut up a hot dog in small pieces for him to eat in case he was hungry. Kids always like hot dogs? I put a pool of ketchup on his plate and a few chips. We sat at the kitchen counter. Eventually the sheriff's deputy showed up (As Mr. Cranberry always says, 'When seconds count, the police are just minutes away!')  Actually, it wasn't much of a wait, and he was a very nice deputy. He asked us a bunch of questions, asked if the child could stay with us a  while (of course!) and then was going to go door to door down the highway and see if he could find who this child belonged to.

Crossing the Red Cedar River

Pilings from the old bridge

In the meantime, little boy X ate a few pieces of hot dog, but preferred the ketchup, eating it with a spoon. He kept an eye on Jazzie and Misty, who by now were both at his feet. He must have dogs at his house, because he wasn't afraid of them.

In a very short time, the deputy was back. He came into the house and asked the little boy if his name was '_'.  The little guy just had a pleasant look on his face the whole time. Not scared, not bothered. Enjoying the ketchup.  The deputy told us that he had found the frantic mom hunting for her little boy.

The reunion was very tearful for everyone. It was impossible not to empathize with that mom who melted into tears and sobs when she saw her little boy, only 23 months, who had simply wandered away from home while she was taking the groceries out of the car and putting them away.

It happened just that fast. He had walked a half mile on a main highway and was found just above a 3' deep creek.

The story had a happy reunion ending, but could have had such a different outcome.  We praise God for keeping that little guy safe.

And all the time, little guy X just kept that pleasant look on his face. It was so cute! He had no idea of the distress he had caused his mother.

I'm glad to see that Reptile and Tina

are still getting along.

***

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Saturday's Critters