No other comments yet? it is a scary world and on my morning walks sometimes I encounter some people that I can feel I need to distance myself from, it's a beach town, and I have my dog with me, and do have friends who have had close encounters of these kinds.
When I was about 10 a man called me over to his car to ask directions, he was exposing himself, and it has made me feel that if I hadn't gotten back on the bike and escaped he might have grabbed me. Close encounters... even after all these years, glad I confided in my Dad, and kept my distance. Thanks Fritzy for the reminder.

Shelter in Place Prayer during Covid 19 August 2020

May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at risk
May we who have no risk factors remember those who are vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health and making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips remember those who have no place to go.
May we who are losing their margin money in the tumult of the economic market remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for quarantine at home remember those who have no home.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our family, friends and neighbors.
Amen

From a rabbi in Washington state as pandemic began, read by Richard Address today... August...2020.

You did the right thing, Fritzy. But you will probably never know if the helpful stranger was a pastor, social worker or store manager whose experience has taught them how to quickly notice a person in distress and how to respond in an unthreatening way. The unrelaxed eyes may have been a continued concern for your safety. Please continue to be vigilant, but don’t overlook the possibility that you might have made a new friend.

When I was in my late twenties, living in a friendly mid-size town and raising my toddlers, there was a super-polite and helpful pre-teen kid, who used to stop by our house and ask if he could walk our dog for us, because he loved dogs but wasn't allowed to have one of his own. He would also leap in to help if he saw me bringing in the groceries from the car. He was unfailingly well-mannered and good-humored, to the point that I marveled at how how "well brought-up" he seemed to be.

This went on for a few years, as he grew into a teenager and rapidly shot up in height. One day, when he was still a young adolescent, he was standing in our kitchen chatting with me, when suddenly a chill went through me and a voice in my head said: "You're all alone in the house with him and he's bigger than you. Get out". The other part of my brain argued that this was ridiculous. I knew this kid! He was a good kid! But the chill persisted, so I made an excuse that I needed to see what my children were up to outside. I headed to the door. He left for home. After that I made sure to avoid close contact with him, even though I felt like an idiot.

Coincidentally, we moved away from that friendly little town a few months later. Shortly after we moved, I got a phone call from my next door neighbor. She told me that my friendly helper-kid had just been arrested and charged with the brutal rape and murder of a woman about my age, as he visited with her in her home.

So yes, I agree with you, Fritzy. Trust that chill when it hits you.

Thanks Fritzy for that reminder to BE ALERT! - and you will be safe.

I think Fritzy’s scary experience is even more relevant today, given the times. Last night I saw a piece on the number of assaults, robberies & murder climbing in cities like New York & Chicago since the pandemic began. And now, given that the extra unemployment payments have ended and evictions have begun... who knows what some will resort to, if they’re desperate enough.

I admit I feel safer given that I’m a man, but at the same time, I’m not a young man either. For the forseeable future, I’m not going out after dark.

Thank you for this post and the comments. My husband--a law enforcement officer in another life--calls it "situational awareness". Now that I'm old, I try to practice it whenever I'm out, which is almost never in these days of COVID-19.

I'm very appreciative that I do not "need" to be out in the world right now but still find it disconcerting that I'm taking my life (and possibly that of my 90 Y/O husband) in my hands going to the grocery store, gas station or pet food store. I've been using curbside pickup and delivery most of the time, but sometimes you just cannot get the items you need/want. Even with conscientious mask use, social distancing and handwashing, the risk is sill there.

The yin and yang of life presents itself in so many beautiful and ugly, uplifting and soul-searing, joyful and horrific ways, and this story and comments reminds me again of that sad fact and leaves me questioning, again, the very meaning of life. All these reminders of the need to be vigilant and trust but verify give me chills. Stranger danger is bad enough, but the fact is that most rapes and sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone the victim knows, trusts and often even loves. It's unfortunate that we have to keep our wits about us and our guard up everywhere almost all the time. Great job of generating discussion on this important topic Fritzy!

Walking home from the high school bus stop, I stepped right up to a car, thinking nothing of it, since we often had people asking for directions in our neighborhood . Until the guy pointed a gun at me. I bolted in front of the car for my back gate, just across the street. Another girl way across town had a worse experience than I did, which led to announcements and warnings at school the next day. Apparently the guy followed school buses.

But if you do get that sense that something is wrong, I say heed it!

BYW Fritzy, I’d love to hear of the origin of your name! Thank you for your piece, which obviously struck a chord!