ShortHand Publishing - January 2005 Memo

January 2005 Memo

“Thankful to be Alive!”

I don’t often give our memos a sub title, matter of fact I don’t think I ever have. However, I think this one deserves a title. Here is the reason why …

Imagine if you will … you’re driving on a 2-lane Hwy towards the Village where you live, you are approximately six cars lengths behind another vehicle. You’re travelling at 70 –80 k’s; you see a full-size pick-up truck on a side road, waiting to turn onto the Highway. As soon as the car ahead is past the side street, the pick-up truck pulls onto the highway, just ahead of you and the two vehicles are now trying to merge into the same lane!

First of all you cannot believe anyone could be that dense. When he doesn’t stop, your foot comes off the gas and you hit the horn without letting up. He continues coming onto the highway right toward you. You look to see if there’s anywhere you can go in order to avoid being hit. I might add the pick-up is much larger than the car you’re driving.

You’ve now driven onto the shoulder of the road, which doesn’t seem nearly wide enough, and you realize once the truck hits you the force will push your car right off the road and down, at least ten feet. By now of course you’re applying the brakes in order to lessen the inevitable impact. The roads are wet and you’re praying they’re not slippery.

At this point you’re experiencing tunnel vision – you’re intently focused on the hood of your car, which is now perfectly aligned with the truck’s bed, which is getting closer and closer. You’re wondering about the severity of the impact.

At this point you can’t even look over at your 84 year-old Mother in the passenger seat, you need to see the impact. You need to be braced for the impending jolt. It doesn’t come … you’re waiting … waiting … but the two vehicles do not connect regardless of the fact the truck is now literally inches from your car.

Without warning the truck speeds a head – you’re much too close to the edge of the shoulder. You take your hand off the horn … it’s over … you can breathe again.

Unfortunately, I don’t have to imagine this scenario, because it happened to us December 23^rd at 12:20 p.m. coming back from Vernon. It boggles the mind just how dim-witted some drivers are. I’ve heard people comment on the crazy drivers, blaming it on the fact everyone is so stressed. Having an accident wouldn’t add to their stress level?

For crying out loud, have we gone so far that we just don’t care about anything or anyone? I’m thankful for our guardian angles who protected us. No doubt they’ll be asking the Master (in charge of all btw) for a transfer!

What do I have to say to the driver of truck? Nothing! It’s because of drivers like this that I think twice about heading out on roads that are iffy. (not that the roads were this day) People who know me, might now better understand why I say, “It’s not me I’m worried about … it’s the other drivers.”

One has to wonder what if anything was going through the mind of the person behind the wheel of the truck. You hear so much now-a-days about stolen vehicles and the accidents they cause. I can better understand how that happens now.

But enough of that … onto happier things.

During the first week of 2005 we had snow for 3 straight days – about a foot in total. Add that to what we already had, and it made for interesting shoveling. Just as last year, we had no place to put any more snow. Finally on the 9^th we caught a break and even enjoyed sunshine!

It doesn’t take much sunshine to warm up our sunroom enough so we can sit there and enjoy the scenery. I must say the mountains are beautiful covered in a blanket of white.

Being as the sunroom has a glass roof we were able to watch the snow slide off as the sun warmed up the room. Just before a large chunk of snow would fall, we’d hear a loud crack as it broke away. Sometimes this cracking was so loud we’d jump as we weren’t expecting it to be that loud. It didn’t take very long before the entire roof was clear of snow.

Because we get so much snow here, it’s becoming a bit of problem for Mom, who will be 85 years-old next month. It’s getting more difficult for her to lift the snow and throw it off to the side. Thus, we had a problem. Our answer? The Toro Electric Shovel! Yes, that’s right an electric shovel! This little shovel is just wonderful. It’s small, not very heavy but throws the snow 15 feet. It’s like a mini snow thrower, or as I know them, snow blower.

So now, I shovel the snow to one side of the driveway then Mom comes along with the electric shovel and poof! The snow’s all gone. No lifting, no stress.

The shovel didn’t cost all that much considering we can now take care of own driveway. No need to hire some young fellow to do it for us. A few people I’ve talked to have heard of this handy little prize but many haven’t. So I thought I’d share this with you all just in case.

I was going to include a picture of it in action but when I went out with my camera, the batteries were dead. Since then, it hasn’t snowed. But if we get anymore snow I will snap a shot or two. What I did get a picture of was what the Village left in our driveway after they cleaned our street. This is my Mom (85 next month) who had to "clean up after them." Isn't that special? I sent a copy of the picture to our local newspaper, we'll see if they print it!

My reading this month has included a wonderful book by Tina McAllister entitled, “Gina Agnes.” You can read my review here.. I’ve now started book one in a series by Terri Blackstock, be sure to check my review of “Cape Refuge” next month.

Also next month I’m going to have a special feature called, “Customer of the Month.” I’ve had a wonderful experience this month and will share it with you all in my next memo, pictures and all! So stay tuned for that.

On the writing front, I’m still working on the second edit of “Too Many Speed Bumps: A Journey of Healing.” This is of course the follow up to “Too Much for One Lifetime: How to Remain Positive Despite Physical Disabilities & Other Life Challenges.”

There always seems to be so much to do, sometimes I feel as though I’m getting nowhere. But rest assured, the book will be out this year!!

Well this does it for another month. So until next time, be well and read much! J