Right after work I piled into the rental car and we were off. I'm lecturing next week in Missouri and we've decided to drive there. In the old days, PD (pre disability) we would have flown there, but now we'd rather drive. Yeah it takes 15 hours to get there but the extra times is more than compensated for by the lack of 'issue' that my disability makes when travelling by air. We just throw the chair in the back and for the majority of the time, I'm just 'Dave:Passenger'. That is so much better than 'Dave:WhyDoYouPeopleFly'.
We have Satellite radio in the car so we've been listening to this station that's playing Oscar nominated songs. Most of the movies we've seen and we've been playing 'guess the movie' and even 'sing a long'. A couple of times I've noticed people looking into the car at us, aghast, noticing a couple of old men carrying on like teenagers.
Well, that's not true. Teenagers are, or at least when we were teenagers, so earnest and things are so powerful and meaningful and you avoided doing anything that someone might have thought silly or 'fruity'. But that's the joy of being older, who gives a hoot about any of that, singing along with Barbara on 'Evergreen' or shouting 'Opa' from Melina Mecuri (sp?) as she sings the Greek song from Never on Sunday - that's just fun.
At one point I reached into the back seat to get some Louisiana Hot Sauce potato chips and noticed the wheelchair in the back seat. Joe uses the seat belt strap to secure it into place. I swear it was enjoying the ride. Like it was fun to be the passenger rather than the vehicle - well, I guess we all need time off.
Hey, isn't that the theme from ...
Where you lecturing in Missouri, Dave? I saw you last time you were here & I've been following your blog ever since! I can honestly say that experiencing your presentation changed the way I felt about my son's disability & made me more aware of & thankful for the people of different abilitles around me.
ReplyDeleteI love your ability to embrace life.
ReplyDelete1. It's "Mercouri." (Melina, that is.)
ReplyDelete2. Yes, it's long, but you'll be able to see spring seeping into the countryside up close, and teeny green shoots and buds (particularly after this winter's storms) are awesome.
3. I take it you'll be breaking the trip for sleep and rejuvenation--
Wait, you're already on the road.
Never mind.
Suelle, I'm in Columbia and Saint Louis, are either of those places near you?
ReplyDeleteI'm in St. Louis! When & where will you be here? You can email me at suelle10 at yahoo.com if you like, or just steer me to a website that might have that info. Thanks Dave!
ReplyDeleteLove the line about the chair "enjoying the ride"! I just found your Blog today and will be a regular follower. Peace ~ Jo
ReplyDeleteReminds me of a trip I took with a friend. We sang and wore fake glasses and noses. Boy, did we get some funny looks - which only made us laugh harder!
ReplyDeleteHi Dave- Kind of a weird comment, but I am recently (since trip to New Orleans in 2008) a little bit obsessed with Louisiana Hot Sauce. It's the only kind I buy now. I was so excited to see that there is a potato chip with that flavoring. I don't believe they have them in CA, but saw that there is an online store. I swear, it's that little things that make me :). Are they as good as I imagine? Thanks for your wonderful blog. I so enjoy reading it each day!
ReplyDeleteKali, the lousiana hot sauce chips are awesome. They are thick cut ... if you'd like email us your address and we'll send you a bag. These are only available in canada as they are of the president's choice brand. (that will mean nothing to you as an American)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting thoughts. Charming blog.
ReplyDeleteAin't nothing like a 'sing along' while travelling in your car. Great Blog!
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