Sometimes....

Do you ever have days when you shouldn't go out? When you just dislike humanity en masse? I had one of those yesterday. My son, who is fourteen and growing like a weed, was down to three pairs of pants that fit, so I took him shopping yesterday. He hates shopping for clothes (a trait we share), but he went without complaint. We went to Conway (yes, the same Conway of Chris Allen fame for those of you who do American Idol), and there's one exit there that gets heaps of traffic. I pulled into the left lane to get out of people's way coming onto I-40, and in a solid mile to the next exit, they wouldn't let me get back over. A big truck sped up and blocked me. I couldn't slow down and get in behind him because another big truck was on my bumper, so I missed my exit and had to drive several miles out of my way to the next exit to circle back. I probably could have floored it and forced my way through, but I had my child in the car. Oh, man, it's a good thing John was asleep because I haven't cussed that much in a very long while. I was so mad I coulda died. Then we get to the shopping center, and there are people walking down the middle of the street (not on the sidewalk beside the street) so that we have to wait for them, others who step out in front of moving cars without looking right or left, just expecting those cars to stop, a girl so busy messing with her baby's hat that she very nearly dropped her, and it struck me how many rude, stupid people there are. I don't do well in groups, especially groups of stupid, and it was days like yesterday that made me appreciate why some people go Emily Dickinson, but I finally calmed down. We had a smart cashier at the consignment store (you can just tell) and a very sweet waitress at the restaurant, so I only half-hated humanity by the time I drove home. So, today, I though I'd remind myself (and you if you care to look) that humanity still has its moments....

I also want to remind people about AlecBell's trip. If you'd like a downloadable version of his series of readings about Winston Churchill (how often do you get film of a poet reading his work? Now really?), there's still time to sponsor his trip to the states. See his journal for details.

Hope you all have a lovely week, and thanks for dropping by!

Love,
C.