Monday Memories: Highway Rescue

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Blanche drives home after work one late afternoon.  The freeway is slow with traffic due to a heavy rainstorm.

As she approaches her exit, traffic has spread out a bit.  However, the rain has picked up in intensity.  The car’s wipers are working overtime now so she can see the highway a bit more clearly.

As she glances across the median, she notices a man pulled off on to the right shoulder.  He deposits a small kitten along the road and quickly drives away.

Blanche can’t believe it.  She pulls over to the right shoulder on her side of the freeway, and turns on the car’s emergency flashers.

Upon leaving her car, she pulls her large purse up over her head, checks for traffic, and hurries across the median to the marooned kitten.  The rain is drenching her clothing, and she can barely see her way.

Upon reaching the terrified little feline, she picks her up and stuffs the soaking wet kitten into her large purse.  She carefully and quickly makes it back across the freeway to her waiting car.

Once inside, she pulls the frightened kitten out of her bag, pats her on the head, and allows her to snuggle on her lap.  She is just a few minutes away from home.

When a rain-soaked Blanche walks into the kitchen with the dry kitten cuddled in her arms, her husband looks up from the stove (he is making dinner).  In a calm voice, he comments, “Well . . . at least one of you is dry.”

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This story is inspired by my sister-in-law’s actual rescue of a cat along a highway where she lives.  The cat now has a new home with her mother.  The picture above is actually one of my daughter’s cats.  She and her husband provide a home for three cats (two females and one male) rescued from shelters.

Gregory David Roberts Quote

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Sometimes we love with nothing more than hope.  Sometimes we cry with everything except tears.

From 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:  “ Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Hottest News

When one stops at this small town’s Conoco station, the news is the hottest brand going! (courtesy of Pinterest)

The fabric of a small town in strengthened by how people stay connected with one another.  Long before the Internet and cable, people actually talked face-to-face.

Billy owns and operates a small service station on the corner of Main Street and the highway which passes through town.  Years ago, he took over the operation from his father.  Assisting him a few hours each day is Duane, a retired highway patrol trooper.

Billy and Duane run a station without too many frills.  They stick pretty much to selling gas, changing worn-out batteries, rotating and balancing tires, and light service and maintenance of cars and trucks.

Anyone who just happens to drop in can usually find a seat on the generous and wide window ledge inside as well as a comfortable bench outside.

The “Conoco” station has been here for many years so everyone knows about Billy and his business.  People depend on him for many of their automotive needs, but the special folks drop in for an even more important reason.

Many people think the original CNN (Cable News Network) was founded in 1980 by media mogul Ted Turner.  Billy likes to think otherwise.

A small sign on the bulletin board identifies this station as a site for CNN.  For the “hottest brand going” in local news, one needs to stop by CNN (Conoco News Network), which is years older than the other CNN.       

Locals stop in to catch up on the latest news and more.  Sometimes a visitor just might hear a bit of innocent gossip or the sharing of a story or two (but watch out for the really “tall” tales).

On the busiest of days, Billy and Duane always have a free minute to share and gather news.  The day always goes faster with conversation while a car or truck goes up on the hoist every half hour.

Joe stops by this morning.  He is a colorful cowboy-type who worked on the big dam construction project back in the 1930s.  His stories are legendary.  But be warned, he just might take one on a hunt for pocket gophers.

Another regular happens to be Pete, a retired teacher.  Later in the morning, he stops by on his way to the post office.  In a small town, everything is within a short distance.

In the early afternoon, Flint rides up on his fine-looking quarter horse.  The duo has been out for a ride, and both need a quick water break.  Even at CNN, news can be delivered by “Pony Express.”

Flint and his horse rest a spell after their ride. (courtesy of Pinterest)

Curious Trivial Facts (12/4)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  We can all appreciate some of the lesser known facts from around the world.

The uniforms worn by The Beatles on the cover of the album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” were rental costumes.  The medals that adorn Paul’s and George’s jackets, however, were not only theirs, they were real.  Each of the Fab Four had been awarded MBE medals (Members of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II in 1965.

Prior to making it big as novelists, Harper Lee (TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD) wrote plane tickets as a reservations agent for Eastern Airlines, Kurt Vonnegut (SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE) wrote press releases for General Electric, and Amy Tan (THE JOY LUCK CLUB) wrote horoscopes.

These facts have been discovered in I NEVER KNEW THAT by David Hoffman (2009).

Louise Gluck Quotes

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The soul is silent.  If it speaks at all it speaks in dreams.

Some of us make our own light:  a silver leaf like a path no one can use.

American poet Louise Gluck (born 1943) is widely recognized for her unique style and poetic voice.  She has received numerous awards including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2020 and the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1993.

Weekend Hospitality

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Bed and Breakfast invites

Weekend relaxation

Away from city lights

Delightful plantation

 

Pace of life taking pause

Shangri-La’s sweet bouquet

Morning’s welcoming hosts

Breakfast’s homemade entrees

 

Warm hospitality

Conversation and more

Informal ambience

Window view of lakeshore

 

Scene repeating each day

Taken from writer’s prose

Like reading Hemingway

Fragrance of blooming rose

 

Enchanted visit ends

More memories to write

Return engagement booked

Weekend’s welcome starlight

 

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John Lubbock Quotes

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Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.

A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work.

Englishman John Lubbock (1834-1913) spent much of his life in the family banking enterprises.  However, he is well-known for his contributions to politics, science and philanthropic efforts.

Trust and Obey

From Matthew 28:19-20:  “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

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Forgettable years adding up

Spiritual health needs checkup

 

Winter’s never-ending season

Now asking, “What is life’s reason?”

 

Empty heart filling with sorrow

God not waiting for tomorrow

 

Lost on dusty shelf, answer speaks

Holy Bible verses now seek

 

God’s guiding hands open each page

Grace unlocking life’s gloomy cage

 

Gospels speak of Messiah’s love

Son journeys to earth from above

 

Jesus speaks truth with conviction

Mercy’s faith heals each affliction

 

Son of God tells of one to come

Spirit beating hope’s steady drum

 

Lord’s Advocate, incessant voice

Each day fills with His divine choice

 

Trust and obey our Triune God

Righteousness shatters sin’s facade

 

Unforgettable years beaming

Spiritual health now gleaming

 

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From 2 Corinthians 13:13:  “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.”

Henry Blackaby Quote

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Only He can guide you to invest your life in worthwhile ways.  The guidance will come as you “walk” with Him and listen to Him.

From Psalm 37:23-24:  “Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when He delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”