Can You Hear This?

All my friends with teenagers and young 2o-somethings express their worry and concern that their near grown boys and girls will exercise good judgement and not take off on any tangents. Understandable to me as I am approaching that age with my own son.

What I have to worry about at this point, however, is quite different. My folks going off on some tangent. I’ll give you an example and, believe it or not, this is the gospel truth!

My mother, her sister, and one of their life-long friends decided, when the powerball lottery in Florida reached some triple digit number, that they just had to buy some tickets. (One way of “planning” for retirement but I can’t recommend it as sound financial strategy.)

So they get off to an early start one morning. They drive south, stopping at any outlet strip or roadside attraction that caught their eye, from SC to somewhere on the GA/FL state line. They find the ubiquitous convenience store which proclaims to have sold “the most” winning tickets of anywhere around those parts and buy their tickets.

Did I mention the plan was to drive to the state line and drive back in the same day? Well, of course, with all the visits to the various shopping meccas and attractions along the way, it’s fairly late at this point and they are a little tired from their adventure.

Despite the fact they are in a location that in southern-speak can only be referred to as a “wide spot in the road” (meaning so small it probably doesn’t even boast a traffic light, let alone a Wal-Mart), they decide to spend the night. The next challenge they quickly discover is finding a place, other than the side of the road, where they can spend the night in at least “Motel 6″ comfort.

After additional driving of some distance, they arrive at a slightly wider spot in the road that has accommodations that do not completely offend their “delicate” sensibilities. Then they make another discovery, while they planned this to be only a day trip, each, without the others knowledge, had set off somewhat “prepared”.

Into their oversized handbags (which would double as an overnight bag for most people), one had packed a toothbrush and toothpaste, one had packed a stick of deodorant, and another had some hairspray. Being classic southern ladies they had each packed the one and only true essential, their make-up. I also believe one or two manage to have a pair of clean undies tucked away too!

By this time in their adventure, the availability of shops, limited in number to begin with, where they might purchase additional essentials are closing up. As luck would have it they happened on a TG&Y just before it closed up for the night where they managed to purchase additional toothbrushes, a couple of combs, and a three-pack of brief undies, which they split up amongst themselves as needed.

Being considerate as all southern women are raised to be, they each made a phone call to their respective husbands explaining their decision to “stay over”. This was news was no surprise to the men as they have had years of experience where these women are concerned……you just never knew what they might do!

There they were the next morning, dressed and refreshed, having shared the necessities they packed and all having clean underwear. They decide, since they’re so close anyway, to just drive on over the Charleston for the day. Charleston is in the opposite corner of SC from their homes, but they just can’t pass up the opportunity to visit, don’t ya know!

As could be expected, in their travels that day, they visited and shopped ’til they were ready to drop. Unfortunately, they were still about 300-400 miles from home. That being the case, there was nothing to do but find accommodations once more to “stay over”.

By this time, the men, having figured as late afternoon approached and there was no word from the ladies, that dinner would be whatever they could scrap up, wisely decided to get together and dine out. They each had a message waiting when they got home (they didn’t all carry cell phones at that time) letting them know not “to wait up”.

I never did get a clear picture of how they addressed their lack of additional clothing or sleeping apparel, but I do know they each dutifully washed out their undies so they would be fresh for the next day!

So, on the third day, after driving a couple thousand miles, they returned home. They were late to be sure and had all manner of treasures they had collected along the way, save the winning lottery ticket.

The moral of the story……………..young ‘uns aren’t only ones who will “road trip” at the drop of a hat. Better watch those retirees!