Howya Doin'?

We all ask it and often as not respond with the same question, the standard, "fine," being taken for granted.

Not everyone takes the easy way out; I stopped by a Marsh supermarket for some hearty stew supplies and the checker was a man in late middle age who appeared to have been hit by a stroke or, more likely, one of the similar ills to which the flesh is heir. He'd mastered it, though, and while his mobility was limited and his speech a little slurred, he had a cheerful twinkle in his eyes and was moving groceries along quite briskly.

When my selections and I moved up opposite him, he smiled and asked, "How are you this evening?"

I'm conventional: "Very well. And how are you?"

His smile grew broad as he replied, "Unstoppable!"

I'd allow as how he was just that, too.

On reflection, it'd be a darned fine goal for the rest of us.