One of my favorite things about living in a small town like Hanover is making fun of people who freak out about every little thing. This mainly takes the form of talking about safely walking through town at night as a miracle even though it is a common occurrence.

(I know bad things can and do happen, but they never do the way some Nervous Nellies like to pretend.)

Anyway, I did have a brush with danger a few years ago. And another one a week or so ago.

I knew I would be drinking that night as I enjoyed a show at The Church of Satire Comedy Club so I left my car at home. At the end of the night, I grabbed some carryout beer and headed home.

As I approached an alley headed toward my house, I heard a rustling in a nearby yard. I hesitated for a second and then saw something that scared me to my core. People were right. Hanover is dangerous at night.

I backed up with my hands in the air and shuffled away from the alley. Thankfully, my attacker understood that he had no quarrel with me and let me go on my way via another route.

The moral of the story is that walking home can stink sometimes.