Another Story from the Vault

This story is similar to my story yesterday, in that it involved an interaction on the highway with a complete stranger.  The differences might be very different, or they might not be that different.  It is weird...

So a few years later, things are very different for my life.  I lived in a different state and I was a bit older, maybe a year, maybe 2 years.  But I was driving from my state (I lived in a dry county) to the neighboring state to buy alcohol.  I was driving my black Camaro.  It was warm, but not hot and it was the weekend, probably Saturday and probably morning-ish. 

I had driven to Missouri to buy alcohol for a quiet evening with some friends.  I was now a widow, but seeing someone else.  I was young still, 28 or so.  After my late husband, SCG, passed away I wasted no time.  I wanted to quiet the quiet, sad loneliness.  So, I started dating within a year (big mistake) with someone I knew from a prior life (bigger mistake?).  I only explain this, because it makes a little sense understanding my thought process - well, I KNEW him.

Anyway, I was driving by myself.  I know this time I had the windows open because my car was black, it was sunny and even in the spring this car was hot!  Because I had no air conditioning in it and because when you drove anywhere, it would heat up and make the entire car hot!  Haha, the fun things we do when we are young.  But it was a Camaro!  Score!  Goodbye new import 4 cylinder with working AC and sunroof and automatic transmission.

OK, back to my story...so I had been to the store about 15-20 min from my house and was on my way back.  Well, I notice a motorcycle.  I don't know how...like if I came up behind him, or vice versa.  The motorcycle and I each see one another because one passes the other (I don't remember as clearly as the Alabama car/car story).  A LOT had happened in that year/year and a half.  So, the motorcycle rider is a male.  I don't remember if he wore a helmet, etc.  I also had a motorcycle then, but I was just learning and I had never ridden it on the highway.  So, I noticed motorcycles...and cars.  I was raised a tom-boy - more on that some day.

Anyway, the motorcycle rider is in front of me in the same lane.  We are on a 2 lane road, the main highway south from Missouri into Arkansas (540?).  He slows down, way down.  I move to the left lane and go around without fanfare.  He passed me again.  He gets over into the right lane in front of me again.  He slows down again. 

This goes on.  It turned from being amusing.  To being weird.  I was not in fear, but I was confused and not sure what do to.  He goes by one last time and I will never forget this - he hits the hood of my car with his hand!  Not hard, just smacks it.  While he is smiling and looking at me.  Well, that was really too much for me.  I just wanted to get home now.

So, I recalled the guy in the car in Alabama...and decided just what to do...

At the next exit, which would have been an exit to Rogers.  I let the guy get in front of me and I watch the timing with the exit...I pause...I slow...and just as he gets to the point where he could not take the exit, I go right quickly!  And I get the end of the off ramp, looking to see if I can see him up ahead and do not, and I turn left.  Just for good measure, I take a circuitous route home. 

I was not threatened or shook up.  Just weirded out.  And this was easily 25 years ago.  Today I would probably freak out.  I also just gave up my age.  Oh well.  I like the saying about having a past that is not so boring that you have some stories in your old age.  And I am quickly on my way to old age!

Let Go

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/?m=1
The other day on FB I saw a meme that said when we let go of all the things that are holding us back and making us sad, resentful, stuck in the past, anxious...we make room for more positive things.  This is a more abstract, psychological aspect of rightsizing, but just as important as physical right sizing. 
Went to hot yoga last night and tried this.  There are a couple of posses that just elude me.  Yoga poses can be like a golf swing, or learing to ride a motorcycle...there are numerous different stages that you have to remember to do all either simultaneously or as part of a sequence.  It is hard to remember all the things sometimes and you see the results accordingly.  Last night I was trying to get my folded leg around my standing leg as eagle pose and the instructor says "core, core, core" - like a lightbulb!  I did it!  Then I even did the other side.  He usu has to come over and move my foot around my standing leg.  When I start to learn something new, I can feel overwhelmed.  What I need to remember, is that eventually certain practices (motorcycle skill, golf, yoga, letting go and praying)...these all can develop into habits that become easier and eventually 2nd nature.
Have a wonderful Friday and I hope you can let something go that is not working for you and make room for something better.

Thoughts of Starting Over

More on looking for love...cont from 11.22.17 http://rightsizeandrethink.blogspot.com/2017/11/looking-for-love-is-like-gambling.html

 

3 years later as I was still reeling from my last relationship fiasco, I went on a motorcycle ride with some friends.  I had never ridden on a Harley Davidson and my friend offered to get me out in the sunshine and he said it would be fun.  So I went. 

 

The bikes were so large and shiney...and loud!  I rode with my friend and we all met up at a gas station to get started.  It was mid June and not too hot.  I wore the only leather jacket I had and some boots and borrowed a helmet.  It was early morning and the sun was out.  I knew several of the people riding and met a few I did not know.  There was a group of about 8 bikes.  My friend was towards the end of the group as we all pulled out, staggering side by side.  The feeling of the wind and the sun was amazing, the sound is one I will never forget.  As we accelerated up to speed to get on the highway, it was sheer adrenaline!  The way people looked at the bikes going by and little kids waived, it was like being in a parade - only I was on the float!  It was so much fun.  We actually went to see a friends' new grandbaby that day.  One of the guys in the group had a new grandbaby boy, so we tagged along to see the baby.  As we got on the elevator in our biker boots and gear, one of the guys joked "biker trash".  I felt like I belonged somewhere.  Like I was one of the group.  While we visited the new grandbaby, I talked music with one of  the guys who rode with us, whom I had met that morning.  I noticed him towards the front of the group as we rode, he had a big shiney green Harley with loud pipes.  I also noticed how handsome he was when he smiled.  As we talked, I could tell that he thought I was cute too.  It felt good to know that just because I had been involved in a horrible relationship with much dysfunction, I could still be attracted to someone.  That my life was not over.  It did not even occur to me that someone could be attracted to me.  It just felt good to know that I still had a lot of life left ahead of me.  I was the ripe old age of 38.  I felt like I could face my obstacles head on and look forward to whatever was still out there waiting for me.