Ridiculous

-

Every once in awhile a certain Mellencamp line pops into my head. It’s from the song ‘Between A Laugh & A Tear.’

(Just a tremendous song).

And it’s not my favorite line from the song:

“I know there’s a balance, I see it when I swing past.”

It’s the other line:

“Sometimes life is too ridiculous to live.”

A truly cynical line…

…but it pops into my head on days like yesterday.

I woke up considering what the day might look like. I had a 70-minute trip to Salamanca and then a few sites in downtown Buffalo.

Kathy was scheduled for a medical procedure so I was also tasked with checking in on my Mom…

…back to North Collins.

A lot of miles and fighting time because I needed to be home early enough to help around the house.

“No stress about it,” I lectured myself.

And off I went!

The Salamanca and back trip went all right, but then a hard rain landed as I visited the Buffalo sites. 

“All done with procedure,” Kathy texted, “Back home.”

I checked the time…

…tight!

Needed everything to break right.

Turned the car on and the dashboard lit up.

“Low tire pressure!”

Now what?

(Driving on construction sites is a hazard to car tires. I most likely caught a nail).

I got out to see which tire was low. 

Wasn’t much of a mystery. 

A complete blow out!

I hustled back into the site and found an air compressor. One of the workers came out with me. We put the air in and…

…I’d like to say I drove away…

…I didn’t!

“Dude, not sure what you ran over, but that tire is cooked.”

I just stood there, babbling about Triple A.

“Let’s just put the spare on,” he said.

That’s when the Mellencamp line popped into my head.

I didn’t even bother with the time check. We worked together to change the tire. I headed home and swapped cars. I grabbed a couple of gifts for Mom, and made the 20-mile trip some 11 hours after my day started.

(I threw the ball for Ollie before leaving).

“You look tired,” Mom said.

I laughed.

“Between a laugh and a tear. You smile at the mirror as you walk by. Between a laugh and a tear, and there’s no reason to ever stop trying.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more