The Magic Furnace, or, People Reading is a Joke

I'm typing this on my laptop. Four guys are upstairs putting together my new office. I'm hiding downstairs at the kitchen table, trying not to cringe whenever I hear them bump something or say "Oops."

Earlier two other guys were here. They are the ones who do maintanence for us, cut the grass, trim the trees, etc. I'm hiring them to build a walking/jogging trail on the back part of our acreage. While here, we got to talking. They came inside to pick up some of my old office furniture, which I donated to them, and they of course saw the mountain of books on the floor, lining the walls, etc. Turns out these guys are big readers, too.

I was stunned. I never would have suspected they were even literate, let alone book worms. I don't mean that in any way as a negative comment. I like these guys. They are honest, dependable and talented. But both look and act like stereotypical Texas rednecks. They talk with a heavy southern accent, wear battle fatigue clothes, work outside all the time, chew tobacco, and never mention their interests. So how would I have guessed they liked to read books?

The taller of the two said his favorite books are on physics. He just finished a book called The Magic Furnace: The Search for the Origins of Atoms. He loaned it to his partner to read next. I haven't read the book but it's said to be about how we all started from star dust. Pretty deep.

Like everyone else, I often judge people based on a first impression. I've often been wrong, too. I need to remind myself to just look into people's eyes when I meet them, meet their spirit, and ask about their interests rather than guess at them.

I wonder how many people mis-judge me, too, based on a first impression?

joe
www.mrfire.com