When I contacted Mel Anderson for an interview, I was surprised by his invitation to “come-on up to the house.”

We were still strangers. His invitation tossed me backwards in time to an era when people trusted strangers. A time before neutral meeting grounds (aka coffee shops). Days when dusty travelers were invited inside for a hot meal and conversation. A time when kindness didn’t have to be earned, it was given freely.
 “Oh. Sure.” I replied with short sentences trying to right my balance. I recovered with “That would be very nice. Thank you.”