Writing Prompt #2
- Jodie Lindsay Popma
- Apr 28
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 30
Communications 5022-01
February 9, 2025
What is a great conversation you have had recently with a friend, family member, teacher, classmate or stranger? - February 8, 2025
Have you ever experienced a Twilight Zone moment? An interaction with a person in which there was an immediate connection, and simultaneously felt a bit ‘off’?
I don’t remember her name, but we met at Dry Land Distillers a few years ago. Our Slow Food chapter collaborated to develop a beverage with locally sourced ingredients as a revenue share. Our non-profit would receive $2 from each purchase. It was quite the party; distillery events always are! The drink was a spiced pear ginger shrub; however, one could add a spirit of their choice.
Events like these bring people from across Boulder County together—whether they're discovering a new business, supporting local farmers, or learning about the Slow Food movement. I love how these gatherings spark thoughtful conversation, build meaningful connections, and strengthen our community.
As the evening wound down and guests left filled with joy, I met a woman who had just moved to Longmont. We had much in common, including work in nutrition, she was eager to find her community. I was excited to support her journey into Boulder County’s food and nutrition scene. We chatted for hours, and connected over topics like inflammatory foods, adaptogenic herbs and the dangers of sugar.
Our conversation expanded to include Slow Food team leads and Dry Land staff; she was the last customer in the distillery. While multitasking—cleaning and chatting—we wrapped up the night, proving that many hands make light work.
Before leaving, we exchanged information (though, I immediately lost hers, which is unlike me), something felt… off. Not in a bad way, just unusual. We all headed out, parting ways. On the drive home, reflecting on the success of our event and connections made, I mentioned to my husband, “That felt like a Twilight Zone episode—I bet we will never see her again.”
The next day, I stopped by the distillery to pick up a few forgotten items and chatted with the owner. He asked what I thought of the woman, and I simply said, “She was nice—but I bet we’ll never see her again.” It felt like she had appeared out of nowhere, only to vanish just as quickly. I was sad about this realization, because I was looking forward to connecting with her again.
Since then, I’ve paid close attention to interactions that feel both positive and strange. A similar thing happened in Niwot two years ago—at a bar. A woman who had just moved to 2nd Avenue marveled for an hour about how it felt like a Hallmark Movie town. This never crossed my mind but wholeheartedly agreed. Then, as my husband and I headed home, that same peculiar feeling crept in. I knew I would never see her again.
Some people pass through our lives like a scene from the Twilight Zone – strange, fleeting and undeniably bizarre.
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