For the record, the General rode into town with me to the doctor’s appointment. I enjoy her company and the constant remarks she makes about my driving may or may not offend, but it makes me a little uncomfortable for her to tag along to the doctor’s office. It isn’t so much an invasion of privacy as it is the sense that I needed a second set of ears. Okay, so I can’t hear it thunder, but I read lips pretty well. I didn’t need her participation. Thankfully she opted to stay in the car rather than come inside.
As it turned out, it was a really good thing that she came along with me. I’d have been in a heap of trouble had she not done so. For starters, I forget my wallet. The same is true of my money clip and pocket full of change. What was I thinking? Obviously, I wasn’t.
Once I made the discovery of the error of my ways, I tried doubly hard to obey all traffic rules. Can you imagine being pulled over and not having a driver’s license with you? I’d have heard about it until my last day. Thankfully, that didn’t happen.
So I’m headed to Oklahoma this morning. I have the privilege to meet with a group of child care administrator’s on Thursday. Actually, the invitation shouldn’t have required much work on my part. For starters, I know the topic like the back of my hand. In addition, I’ve made a similar address to administrators in two or three other states. It was well received. So why change it?
That is really a good question. Why have I spent hours reframing what I want to share? Honestly, sometimes I question my sanity. Without fail, I always over-think every opportunity to speak and somehow find myself starting from scratch every time. Seriously, if I’d just remember to breath, this would be so much simpler.
Seldom do I drive anywhere that takes over three hours. Every time I’ve driven to Oklahoma, I always tell myself: “Never again!” For starters, it takes forever and a day to get there. Secondly, once you get there, you have to drive back. What was I thinking when I made these plans?
Truth be told, it was the possibility of a back roads adventure with the top down that caused me to throw caution to the wind. The General isn’t along for the ride this time. That means I have to be doubly careful because the instant messenger and alarm system won’t be riding shotgun. The bright side is that I can listen to the sound system as loudly as I want. Do you have any idea how infrequently that happens?
Somehow I find that a little refreshing. Why invest in a sound system if cranky folks won’t allow you to enjoy it? I’m not suggesting the General is cranky, but she draws a line in the sand when it comes to loud music. She is not a fan. Consequently, she is more than a little controlling in that area.
Somehow I sense that Mother Nature is going to rain on my parade today. That being said, I’m taking the Miata anyway. So, I’ll break a few rules and keep the rain out, but eventually the sun has to shine. I’ll take the first opportunity to let my hair blow in the wind.
The other nice thing about a long trip is the opportunity to simply become lost in thought. Seriously, the General has a way of interrupting my thought processes and trumping my thoughts with hers. For the next couple or three days, I’m left to my own resourcefulness. Sometime solitude is good for a brief fix. I wouldn’t want to do it often. I am far too people needy for that, but a day or two works well for me.
I even made a list of things I needed to remember to pack last night. Consequently, there was no time like the present. Consequently, the suitcase is packed and I’m ready to roll.
If I get to Oklahoma and discover I need to buy dress shoes because I left mine at home, then maybe I needed a new pair. Only time will tell.
All My Best!
Don