The Wisconsin Trip – Part One

I told you, last week, that I’d do my best to have this article posted at the appropriate date and time.  So, here goes.

I may have told you that I would be traveling to Wisconsin to be caregiver to Daughter #3 while she recovers from knee replacement surgery. – I can’t remember if I’ve told you – I’m old!  An event occurred that appears to me to be what is currently being called a “God Wink.”  At least, that what it is called in Hallmark movies.  And.  you know that I watch a lot of Hallmark programming.

A God Wink is an event that happens when every thing comes together to make something work.  With nothing to explain the happening.  I was preparing to leave home, get into the car, and travel north and east through Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin to arrive at my daughter’s home in time for her scheduled surgery.  Rita, the person who has kindly been helping me with household work had carried most of the boxes of stuff that I planned to take to Wisconsin.  There were, however, a few last boxes to be taken to the car, and Rita was not at my home at the time.  Some of the boxes were heavy – certainly, heavier than I should be picking up, carrying to the door, down the steps, to be heaved into the car.  When I actually got them into my car, I could leave my city and start my travel.

I remember standing in my living room, wondering how I was going to get the last of the boxes into my car, when my doorbell rang, and there stood a employee of the tree care company that takes excellent care of my trees.  The Davey Tree employee told me that when last they had trimmed my trees, he was sure that they had left a tool in my backyard.  That was probably two weeks ago; I had not seen the tool – but, then, I hadn’t really been in the backyard since that time.  I unlocked the gate, and there in its black case was the tool they had left.  He retrieved the case with the tool, and I told him that he was just in time.  A few more minutes, and I should have been on my way out of state.  Just in time!

About here, I thought to myself – I wonder if he would have time and be willing to heft those boxes from the house to my car.  I was already three hours late departing because I could not figure out how to get the boxes from my house to my car; and I needed to be in Kearney, NE, before dark.  I vacillated between I should ask him, or I should not.

Finally, I should ask him won, and I said, “If you have a little time, I could use your help.”  I explained the situation – about my back and all – and, he willingly agreed.  Into the house, we went and back out with all of the boxes to be stored safely in the car.

I thanked him, saying that because he had arrived on that particular day, at that particular time when I needed his help, it was like experiencing a “God Wink.”  His response was something like we both had this experience, so, maybe, it was just that.  For me, the questions were:  Why did it take two weeks for them to realize that the tool was missing?  Why had I been delayed for the amount of time so allow the Davey employee to arrive and help?  Arrive at just the right time – before I left – with enough time and willingness to help?  Why?

When the car was loaded, I put in Chere (the Russian tortoise who lives with me) and Lady Patricia (the miniature schnauzer who also lives with me), and off we went.  Even though I stopped only for gasoline and the necessary pit stops, I soon realized that I would not arrive in Kearney before the sun began to set and dusk settled in.  And driving at night is not something I do willingly, or ever.

I stopped at a rest stop, called the Best Western where I had planned to stay, and explained the situation.  They were very gracious about moving my reservation to the following night, and helped me make a new reservation at a Best Western closest to my current location near North Platte.

If there was a time that showed me that night time driving was no longer for me, it was driving that last piece of Interstate 80 to get to North Platte.  I was very, very careful, actually stayed well within the posted speed limits, and arrived in North Platte, safely.  Of course, I’ve never been in North Platte, and I didn’t know where the Best Western is located.  But, I do now.  After driving hither and yon, looking for the motel, following directions given to me by someone at the motel’s front desk, twice, I finally stopped on a street and asked a gentleman just getting out of his car.  “No, the motel is not on the north side of the Interstate.”  And, “No, it is not on the west side of the road, it is on the east side of the road.”  He gave directions carefully and accurately, street by street, that allowed me to drive into the motel parking lot.

It was not my first experience where I realized that it appears the people in Nebraska (and other mid-west states)¸do not have an understanding of East/West/North/South.  Rather, they seem to deal in right/left.  In my city, West is always toward the mountains; of course, in Nebraska, there is no mountain range for learning directions.  I remember a teacher friend, also from the mid-West, who said, “North is always in front of me.  And, I’m right 25% of the time.”

The motel was peaceful and quiet.  And, I was fully rested by the next morning.  Only to awake to fog!  Oh, my – another slow day.

Be safe and be well.

The Cranky Crone

Thoughtful comments are greatly appreciated.