Friday January 27 2017  THREE LITTLE GIRLS

Another interesting day!  A very long day of driving.  Arrived at my destination in the Fort Worth area a short time after dark.  NO RAIN TODAY AND NO SNOW TODAY!  The morning temperature started out at 28 degrees and when I arrived in Fort Worth Texas it was 48 degrees.

Before I left home I noticed that the “chip” on the one and only credit card I use for every day purposes had worked itself loose.  Because of leaving earlier than planned I had no time to contact the credit card service. I did go to the bank that stands behind it but there was nothing that they could do since they don’t issue cards directly from the bank.

So, I decided to use the one and only other card we have for all my trip expenses.  In the last few days I have filled up with gas several times each day while on the road.  Earlier today my card was denied.  Over and over it was denied at the pump.  I called the number on the back of the card and was told that chances are it was flagged because of unusual pattern of use.  We usually only charged something on the card a couple of times of year so it would stay active in case we needed a back-up for some reason.  And that reason finally happened.  The woman (a real live person) I spoke with on the phone today made certain to attach a note to the account so that the charges will not be denied again.  I thought all was taken care of.  That is, until I needed the next tank of gasoline.  Again, it was denied.  So, I am stuck between a rock and hard place.  Perhaps another phone call will get things straightened out.  Oh how I dread that.  I only spent about 15 minutes on the phone waiting for my turn to talk to someone earlier today.  But the problem is that I do not have a spare 15 moments or more to talk on the phone to get this card situation straightened out.  And now I must do it all over again.  Oh well, at least I was able to fill up my gas tank one last time.   But that will only get me about 300 miles or so.

I left Fort Scott at about 9:00 a.m. this morning and arrived in Hurst at about 7:30 p.m.  I had a lot of stops, including the half hour layover regarding the card debacle.  I also found an Aldi’s Market and had the opportunity to stop and buy fruit and goat cheese.  Then I needed to stop and eat my picnic lunch, so I lost time there as well.  I am thankful for a day of protection, especially since I was driving in Texas.  And, I found a great way to combat the fast drivers in Texas.  It’s simple, I just drive as fast as the Texan’s do and I discovered I fit in quite nicely.  Thoroughfares through in the city limits have speed limits of 75 mpg. It reminded me of being in a hot-air balloon.  You move with the wind and therefore there is no breeze.  So be it is with the automobiles.   Just slip in a lane of traffic and go with the flow and you don’t feel the rushing.  It worked today.

My cousin Nora talked to me during my last 45 minutes of driving and guided me in; sort of like what a lighthouse does for ships.  Unfortunately my cell phone’s GPS would no longer work for me.  The Dallas/Fort Worth area is not made for sissies.  It is sort of like going on your own private “Lewis and Clark” expedition every time you get on the road.  You never know what is yet to come.

I had a nice visit with Nora and one of her sisters who was able to come over after dinner.  The three of us sat around and probably thought about how old the others looked.  It is interesting to see the aging process up close and personal to those we knew as infants and children.  There is a special comradery in such relationships.  We have known each other since infancy and understand so much about each other’s lives that it takes just a few words bring back a cascade of memories for all of us

AGE-OLD MEMORIES

Kathleen Martens

January 27, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

Cascade of memories flood our hearts

When three old ladies become little girls.

As we now sit in staid stance

Our memories around us swirl.

Memories of childhood antics,

Splashing the bathtub water!

At their house it was me in trouble

And I wasn’t even their daughter.

Sunburns and magic sheets on the line,

And planes flying in for a landing

And we each knew our own place

And we learned not to be demanding.

Oh such fun were those days,

Summertime in each other’s beds.

Trips to the beach and camping out,

And the delicious food my aunt fed.

Boyfriend’s and letters galore,

Church camp and frilly lace.

Little memories wiggles loose

And take up center space.

And I’ll be gone the morrow

But my little girl still dances inside.

It does an old heart good like medicine

When  in age-old memories we abide.

Thank You God that I have lived long enough to become an old lady and look back and reminisce.

Thank You for your daily protection.

Lord, I am so thankful for the reunion of us three “girls”.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.