by Lisa Sideris from the June 8, 2026 issue
Tagline
As Charlotte heads to a car show, she can't help feeling a little lonely--until a handsome man named Russ sparks something unexpected.
Off the Cuff Observations
I have to start by apologizing for my absence from the blog. I've been dealing with some health issues--mine and my 89 year old mother. She's still in the hospital and I would appreciate prayers and good thoughts.
Charlotte slowed to admire patches of colorful wildflowers on the surrounding hills... -- I live in Southern California and when the poppies are blooming, it's spectacular.
It's a car show! My husband is a member of the Sons of the American Legion and they have an annual car show that he volunteers to help with. Unfortunately, it's in July and it's always super hot but there are a lot of cool cars to see and admire and vote on.
Oh, dear. Is Gramps just sick or has he recently passed on?
"I'm hoping someone from the car show will stop, but it's still so early." -- Um. She's driving a '65 red Mustang, Russ... LOL Maybe he's just so dazzled by her that he's not putting two and two together.
Okay, Gramps is still alive. She talked about him in the present tense.
A small current zipped between them that could have shaken up a chemistry lab. -- I like how the author took the cliche of electricity and added a little personality to it, but are currents common in chem labs? I never took chemistry.
I love how persistent Russ was. It shows Charlotte just how interested he is in her.
Nice story!
Photo by Roberto via Flickr CC License
