Now: Up to now, I have poked fun at things I saw in my travels in the four state areas but I have avoided Missouri. No longer can I look the other way. Friday, I had an appointment with my cardiologist in Springfield. I arrived a bit early and parked in the parking garage. I had a pleasant time with the Doctor although she was running somewhat behind. Any time spent with a Cardiologist is good if the ticker is still pumping! :-)

When I left I discovered a maintenance crew had poured fresh concrete to repair the parking deck BEHIND my truck! I was so stunned. I stood there in disbelief and then I began laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. At that point, I began looking for a hidden camera! I have been accused of pulling pranks on people in the past, totally undeserving of course, and thought someone might be trying to get even with me. :-) Then the realization struck that I had been blessed with a preview of the new Democratic health care overhaul.

Then: My first experience with driving was also when I was about six years old. My dad came home with a new pickup. At least it was new to us. It was much to long ago for me to remember what year it was but it was an old Ford truck with a four speed manual transmission. Having learned from some of my previous excursions, I FIRST asked if I could go play in the truck. My Dad gave his blessing since he had the key in his pocket. With the vivid imagination that only a six year old can have, I began my journey. Soon I was steering my 18 wheeler (Remember the imagination!) across the wide expanse of highways, bouncing over the rough road and passing slow vehicles. I soon tired of that and began to explore the equipment on the dashboard.

I pushed a shinny chrome button on the right side and the glove box opened. Empty. How disappointing. I moved to the left and adjusted the heater temperature and fan speed. I dialed the radio (Yes folks, you used to be able to do that.) frequency and volume. I am sure, in retrospect, my Dad appreciated that. HA I worked my way to the ignition switch but there was no key of course. I finally arrived at the far left side of the dash and found one last shinny chrome button similar to the glove box button. For those of you who are not aware of this fact, years ago you had to do TWO things to start a Ford. You turned the ignition switch to the "on" position and then you pushed the separate "STARTER" button.

Since nothing else I had pushed, pulled or turned had done anything I bravely pushed this most enticing button. The engine roared to life! Even without the key, the starter would operate. My Dad, to this day, still believes the "parking brake" is called the "emergency brake". There is no emergency so you do not use it. You park in first gear and exit the vehicle. As such, the starter button stuck, the brake was not set, and it was in gear. The truck lurched forward across the barn yard headed toward the milk barn with Richard Petty Jr. hanging on to the wheel. Fortunately, the starter button dislodged, the engine stopped and I avoided opening the first "drive thru" milk barn in the state of Missouri. It was many years, thankfully, before I tried my hand behind the wheel again.