When Monday rolls around, we are heading out for the
feedstore/town run. This routine with
its predictability is one of the constants that I truly appreciate about our
life. I just looked back, I’ve written about Mondays before.
here ...and here...
When the Spring planting season starts, I take on the task
of the town run alone. This leaves the
Boss to till and do prep work with the tractor. Then, we can work together when
I get home. The trip is almost always
the same. Feedstore, bank, Lowes,
groceries, farmstore, gas station…
A couple of weeks ago, I headed out fairly early. I had an extra
errand to run and it was imperative that I finish my stops quickly, get back,
unload and then the Boss and I were heading out together for another stop. Then, we would come back and get another big
planting job finished.
As I drove into town, I was enjoying the trip. It was quite warm, so I had the windows down
and the radio up. The neighboring
farmers were beginning to work outside, so there were new activities to observe
and plenty of folks to wave at.
I made great time on my trip, got everything I needed, a few
things I really wanted…and even found a couple of great deals! Then it happened…
As I loaded the groceries in the truck, I noticed that the
little “lock-doolie” on the passenger side was loose. It was actually falling off. It must be noted that the pick-up has more
than a few issues as it is 15 years old and has spent a good portion of that
time being a “farm truck”. The facts
that the dashboard is cracked and the gas gauge only works on occasion are just
two of its “quirks”. As I wiggled the
little thing back in place, I heard a clunk.
I didn’t give it much thought and swung the door shut with
the intention of walking around, hopping in the driver’s seat and finishing up
my trip. I had one final stop to make before I could head for home.
But, that clunk meant that the door locked…it meant both
doors locked. No worries…my keys are…my
keys are NOT in my pocket! My keys are…
+(2).JPG) |
| the disturbing sight...re-created for effect |
I had left the windows down slightly since I had purchased
some plants and wanted to allow them some air.
But, the window opening was too small for my arm. I walked back in the store, hoping for a
phone and maybe a hanger. The only
hanger was plastic and too flimsy and short to reach the “lock-doolie” that
started the whole thing. The phones in
the store couldn’t make outside calls…and I had no money for a payphone. I was getting more than a little perturbed.
I climbed up in the back of the truck, crawling over the
half ton of feed, hoping I could slip the blade of my Leatherman between the
back windows and pop the latch. That
didn’t work either, and I realized that my activity might be deemed “more than
slightly suspicious” by somebody.
I headed back into the store to find someone who could make
a phonecall for me. As an aside here, I
think this was the ONLY time I have ever been to town and seen NO ONE that I
know…no one that could help me with the current problem. Ordinarily, a trip to
town means I see half of my acquaintances and have to stop and talk for a
while.
The lady at the bank kindly called the Boss. I worried he wouldn’t answer his phone because
of the odd number. He answered, he
sighed deeply, yes,…he would head to town to rescue me. I thanked the bank lady
and she said, “hope your day gets better, sweetie!”
I went back outside and sat on the curb by the truck,
mourning the fact that my drink was inSIDE the truck and there was absolutely
no shade. I hoped the groceries would stay cold and the plants would not dry
out. The Boss arrived a short time later
and opened the door. That was SO anti-climactic! Now it was lunchtime, the rhythm of the day shot
to pieces, so he suggested we go out to eat.
He seemed to enjoy it, although I was too frustrated to appreciate it at
all.
Finally, we got the feed back home and unloaded. But, we had to go back to town for the other
errand. That meant that the rest of the “to-do” list for Monday would have to
be done on Tuesday, and some of Tuesday’s work would be moved to Wednesday….and
so on.
It took three days to get things back on track.
Lessons learned?
In the future, DO NOT worry about the “little lock doolie”
on the farm truck!
Keep keys in pocket!
….and hot Mountain Dew is not worth drinking.
**just a note…this week’s trip was successful AND
uneventful!
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