West Cocoa Chat

First, thanks for the kind comments and emails yesterday. I needed some “pumping up” and you guys came through for me and I appreciate it. As my “program note” said we’re now returning to our “regularly scheduled programming.” I thought since I spoke of “age” yesterday that I would push us into the weekend with the funniest incident that I’ve been associated with when it comes to “age.”

Many moons ago, before children came along; we spend a week near Traveler’s Rest, S.C. with our good friends Bob and Shelby and Bob’s brother and sister-in-law, Naomi. We stayed in an “A-frame” cabin close to the N.C. border. As with most of my get-aways (Greg – remember the week in Fall Creek Falls) rain was involved which was causing us to go stir crazy. On one particular day, Garth, Naomi, Barb, and I decide to go for a little drive around the countryside. It was around 2:00 if I remember correctly. Bob and Shelby were cooking dinner and told us not to be gone too long. The cabin did not have a phone and this was before the day of cell phones.

To make a long story short we got lost. We ended up back at the cabin somewhere around 8pm. As we drove up to the cabin, Garth – Bob’s brother was sure that Bob would be somewhat mad. Knowing Bob like I do I knew his anger would be generated out of concern. We had been gone for almost 6 hours and there was no way for Bob or Shelby to track us down or to know if we had been in an accident.

So, as we were getting out of the van Garth uttered this famous line, “I know Bob is going to be mad. I’ll take care of him.” In my heart I knew #1 was true and #2 was a major “maybe.” We walked to the back of the cabin were there was an outside porch, grill, Bob and Shelby. The conversation started off with Garth launching a pre-empted strike. Garth explained how we had gotten lost, we were sorry; we tried to get back as quick as we could, and then the second famous line of that day:

“…..and besides, I’m 37 years old and I can take care of myself.”

Bob rose from his chair with fire in his eyes and said, “Garth, you’re not 37, you’re 33 years old!” I went down to my knees first in a fit of laughter and then fear as I realized I had been allowing a man to drive me all over North and South Carolina who didn’t know where he was going and, didn’t know how old he was – by 4 years!

So today my family lets all change our age and feel free to subtract 4 years or more.

Have a good weekend from this 45 year old.

// posted by cwinwc @ 3:21 AM