GOSH, I LOVE THIS TOWN

The day started out iffy. There had been a real down pour that was officially canceling my plans to attend the Chuck Wagon races in Clinton. It is a pretty big event that had drawn over 1000 horses this year. I had planned to post the pictures and I was rather excited to see something so original.

It was a pretty fierce storm with a lot of lightening so I had unplugged all electronics. My brother called from Ohio but I begged off talking on the phone because of the storm. Two minutes after we hung up, there was a scary BOOM, and I saw a light flash out of the corner of my eye in the house. Now lightening and I have met before and while I obviously survived and actually had a marvelous high for days, I really didn't want a repeat.


I checked my kitchen light and found it was out, probably the flash I saw. Then I checked my breakers and one was tripped which I reset. Everything seemed fine and in working order after I changed the light bulb. However my phones were unusable due to a loud roaring sound instead of a dial tone.


The storm calmed down a lot but I knew it would be a muddy track for the races and not a good day for that. Those plans canceled, I decided to drive to Missouri to get my lotto ticket which had just expired. I get 15 draws when I go so I don't have to go often and I usually pick one up for a friend while I am there. Mighty loves the trip so we looked forward to the scenic drive. We set out in a drizzle and the closer we got to Missouri, the nicer it got. It was a pleasant trip and the ride was beautiful.

It was afternoon when I returned. Going through the town closest to me on the return trip, I entered an intersection that has a yield, curving right turn lane at the stop light. The car ahead of me pulled through and I craned my head to the left to make sure it was clear when "THUNK." Instead of continuing through, the fellow ahead of me suddenly decided to stop though nothing was coming and I hit him.

Aw crap. When ever that happens, there is always that instant when you really wish you had a "do over." I was only going 5 miles per hour so no one was hurt and we pulled into a restaurant parking lot to get off the highway.

Now in some parts of the country, this is cause for practicing your blue vocabulary, middle finger dexterity and elevating your blood pressure. True, there was only minor damage but there is that ugly deductible to be met and raised insurance rates which is never pleasant. It could easily have been a situation for tempers.

Damage was minimal, he lost a light and I got a dent in my bumper. Important thing was, all necks and backs were fine. It took a while before the police arrived so we chatted. Turns out we were coming from the same place and he laughingly said, we should have ridden together. We did the "do you know?" routine but had no common friends. They were "lived all their lives in same town" locals and I am still a newbie. In no time however, we were laughing and enjoying each other.

Our accident was written up and it was time to part. They opened their arms and it was hugs all around with "call me" requests. We all agreed it was so nice to have met, just not so nice the way we did. They were a very delightful couple and while I hate the accident, I am glad to have met them.

I have lived in areas where this would not have played out the same way. There would have been accusations and finger pointing though not on my behalf as I am an admitted wuss and it was my fault, I hit him. The civility displayed is why I love this town. There is a gentleness coupled with plain old fashioned good manners here. Such a joy.

One more instance of why I love this town. When I got home the friend that I got the Lotto ticket for called and when I told her what happened with the lightening strike, she relayed the fact that she knew of someone that the same thing had happened to, lights, breakers and etc. She said they did nothing and their house burned to the ground about 3 days after the strike, from a short I would suppose.

Well now, that bit of information will keep you awake, so I called an electrician who had done work for me before, at about 7:30 Saturday night. I talked to his girl friend and she said he would be over after church on Sunday. I was thrilled, it being Labor Day weekend and all. They left a little while ago after testing my outlets and breaker wiring. He found no problems. The other reason I love this town?? Quick service ---on a holiday and---- no charge.

Had all this occurred in your area, would the results have been the same? Do you have similar stories?? In our screwed up world today, good people deserve a shout out. They so outnumber the idiots.