Riding
the rails
Or
Riding the Rails
Well, once again Rosy was late; she almost missed
the train again. I had such a good time
yesterday, I forgot to think about breakfast, so did everybody else... We rolled through Topeka sometime during the
night, and will soon be arriving in Jefferson City. Ernie says he doesn’t believe we will be here
long, and since he’s been here as a trucker, that he and Tall Dude will make a
quick run to a neighborhood store for some ‘grub’. That sounds good to me.
We got a couple of good chuckles last evening. The first one being Vince came through big
time. After our sandwiches we were
‘chewing the fat’ and mentioned how we wished we had some kind of cooking
device. Vince burped and says, “How
about a sterno stove?” Strange looks
went around the group…’do they even make them anymore?' Turns out they do. We fell all over each other in fits of
giggles…of all the contraptions we had thought about…the answer was right under
our noses. Over thought this for sure…while
they are out we’re hoping Ernie and Tall Dude find a Camping/Outdoor Supply
Store that sells Sterno Stoves. We will
all gladly chip in for this life saver.
Next, it looks as though spring and love is in the
air. Vince and Rosy are acting worse
than teenagers. She finds him and his
stories adorable, and he, like a high school ‘jock’, enjoys entertaining her
with them, and his antics. This morning
is a good example. Since most of us
crave coffee in the morning, and water is at a premium; Vince decides he can
solve the problem, and promptly puts some instant coffee in his mouth and
begins to chew. First a peculiar look
comes over his face, he chews and chews.
Then he starts to sputter and choke, coughs, bits of instant coffee
powder emits from his mouth…he coughs again, inhales deeply…covers his mouth,
and... if you’ve never seen instant coffee come out someone’s nostrils…I
guarantee it will have you on the floor.
Rosy, gives him a good whomp on the back, nearly knocking him over, and
somebody offers him some water. Whatever
coffee was left in his mouth was eventually swallowed, and it’s safe to say he
had his coffee fix for the morning.
Meantime, we are all in the throes of hysteria, great way to start the
day. It can only get better from here.
Ernie was right, we were not to be in Jefferson City
very long; so his suggestion that he and Tall Dude do the shopping, and look
for a Sterno Stove was a good one, but I was terrified that he and Tall Dude
would miss the train. While they were
gone, we took turns taking our dogs out to do their duty. It is quite tricky, looking as though you are
a citizen of Jefferson City just out for a morning stroll. For the most part there are few employees
around, unless there is activity in the vicinity of a train pulling in or
out. In our case today, there are people
around, so, looking as though you belong is very important.
I was delighted to see our male companions return,
and they were loaded with good stuff, food, post cards, a few small mementos, and
yes, they did find a one burner Sterno Stove.
Cost about fifty bucks, but we ladies figure it’s worth every
penny. We will be having some foods warm
from here on out. Now I know why it has
been so important to carry a book of matches wrapped in plastic in my purse all
these years, they will finally come in handy.
Looks like we are ready to roll, but before I sign
off, I have a confession to make…this train is not really going to Clarksville,
Indiana, but I like the song ‘Last Train to Clarksville’, and it was a great
way to get our excursion underway.
However, our next stop is Indianapolis and Ernie says that’s where he’s
getting off the train. That news was
very disappointing. He says, with the
Indy 500 coming up next month Indianapolis is a good place to get temporary
work, and goes there every year.
Bummer, wish now I would have put this vacation off
for another month, I’ve always wanted to be at an Indy 500. Boo, Hiss.
Could have made a ‘pit stop’ there for a week or so and then headed to
NYC. Oh, well that’s life.
Ernie will be missed, he’s been the cool, calm voice
of reason on this trip, but we all have destinations where we want to end
up. I asked Tall Dude if he was getting
off with Ernie, and he shook his head no adding “Don’t know how old you ladies
are, but kinda like lookin’ after ya.
Besides, I ain’t in no hurry, don’t got to be nowhere. An’ ain’t never been ta New York.”
Well, God bless him.
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