The neighborhood phantom that NewMexiKen has mentioned previously still shows up in the evening from time-to-time, parks his car across the street (in front of the vacant house) and wanders off for 15-20 minutes or more.
He was here tonight early as I headed out to dinner and still here when I got home (much longer than his usual M.O.). He was walking up the street as I drove in and I’d have to say he looked away to avoid being seen directly in my headlights. I pulled in the garage, closed the garage door, and went through the house and quietly into my front courtyard where I doubted I could be seen. When he got near his car I spoke.
“Just curious, you’ve been parking there for off-and-on for some time now. What are you up to.”
“I like this neighborhood. I just like the way it smells. I like the smell of the flowers.”
Well, that solves that. Makes perfect sense to me.