Click to enlarge Kathy Williams

For three weeks I have suppressed my inclination to travel on the right side of the road. In New Zealand, right side is not the correct side. This applies to roadways as well as to grocery shopping aisles, sidewalks, basically every mode of transport.

Although the Kiwis seem almost unfailingly gracious to strangers, visitors and other guests, I got more than a few exasperated looks. Mostly I noticed them in grocery stores, in markets as I pushed my new grandson, Henry, and the bumper crop of grand nephews and third cousins I've acquired in the past few years in the land down under.

Most of us have probably felt at one time or another that there should be mirrors around corners in grocery stores so we don't smash into someone admiring products on an endcap display. But if they (or I, actually) are stationed in the wrong side of my path, I must pay attention or apologize.

I seldom pushed Henry in his pram on the sidewalks because I was not trustworthy when it came to watching for oncoming traffic. Cars and trucks move swiftly in Nelson, with few traffic lights to slow them down and many traffic circles.

Twice, my daughter Laurel, with Henry swaddled against her chest, pulled me back from near death as I looked left in right-bound traffic and started across.

I noticed at the airports coming home that more seasoned travelers walk in the center of the aisle. I always thought that was the passing lane.

I made it to work without incident. So now I'm ready to try the real test: Grocery store, here I come.

Happy birthday Tuesday to Leila Bellows, Enga Ailce Dawson, Cassandra Edwards, Jimarius Brown and Catherine Shires, all of Denison; Ari Simone Washington, Alissa Moore and twins, Nick and Nicole Douglas, all of Sherman; La Verle Mathis of Whitewright; Troy Moore and Kathy Tolbert, both of Howe; Elsie Lawhorn of Bells; Paige McCarter of Savoy; Gladys Wilson of Whitemound; Madison Jeter of Rock Hill, S.C.; Everett Reynolds of Van Alstyne.

Happy anniversary Tuesday to Pat and Betty Maynard of Whitesboro, 52 years; Geary and Sandra Northern of Bells, 36 years; Jimmy and Cindy Belcher of Sherman, 31 years; Aaron and Tina Crawford of Sherman, 24 years; Gary and Linda Jay of Sherman.