Tragedy averted! We live at the end of a long cul de sac miles from town.

[Buzz Clik]

"Hey! Who is that sneaking around the house?"

I look out a window into the dark night. A shadowy figure has just pulled a menacing object from the back of a track and is looking around nervously.

"Aren't you going to do something?"

I throw open our front door and walk out. The man is startled. He turns around. The truck is a small Budget truck, maybe 12 feet long. From the echos of the sounds of his movements, the truck must be nearly empty. As I approach, I simply say, "Hi!"

"It finally stopped raining," he says nervously. An isolated home in Texas. Judging by the averages, both of us are probably packing. I can only guess why he's nervous. He extends a long, narrow cardboard box toward me. "Here you go."

As I get closer, I see he's wearing FedEx logo on his shirt and hat. It's too dark to see much else. "Truck is broken. That's why we're running late. Have a good evening." I take the package. He climbs in the truck and drives away.

Dead men tell no tales, but this guy will be talking to his pals about the creepy bastard at the end of the lane who came rolling out -- completely unarmed -- to claim his package. Nah. Probably not. He just wants to get home and have dinner.

[Brickbat]

1. I've lived in the boonies for the past 15 years, and some of the creepiest guys who come to the door

are FedEx subcontractors -- the ones who get a magnet to stick to their scabby little trucks. I hate it when I order something and FedEx is the only shipping option.

A couple years ago one delivered a box to the door. After I took it from him he hesitated and seemed to be sizing me up. But when you're on someone's property in the woods, you never know what she might have in her hand behind the door. Best just to tip your hat and keep moving.

[leftstreet]

2. Yard lights. Get some n/t

[Buzz Clik]

3. Yard lights, under-eaves lights, porch lights, spot light on the garage.

I have them all. He probably could have found the package more easily if I had them burning.

[rightsideout]

4. FedEx uses alot of rental trucks

FedEx often uses rental trucks in our area. I live in a cul de sac too. But they deliver during the day not at night.

A couple years ago a furniture company was delivering a bed to our County's Homeland Security Director's home. The guy flipped out and shot one of the delivery guys for apparently carrying parts of the bed to the wrong room. He had accused the guy of trying to steal which wasn't true when all the evidence was layed out.