Okay, here I go, back down the yellow brick rage road. What is wrong with people? When did we become a culture of, “get out of my way, I am more important than you?”
Last week I was on my way to a much-needed haircut. I entered the left-hand turn lane and was sitting behind another car waiting for a green light. The turn arrow lights green. Nothing happens. The car in front of me just sits there. The windows are tinted so dark I cannot see who is in this car or what they are doing. Sadly, my first thought was, “Isn’t that illegal?” instead of “Are they okay?” Now, I am not a honker. I give myself plenty of time to get where I’m going. But I admit that I was nanoseconds away from tapping my horn when the car behind me decided to play a rock concert on his. As my life flashed before me, the driver in front opens his door, slowly gets out, and turned toward us. My first thought? I am dead meat. Thankfully, he merely proceeded to delight us with a double-fisted middle-finger bird salute. This is why I don’t honk. Too many people these days are two tacos short of a combo plate. As their door opened, I expected an AK47 to be pointed at my head. And I wasn’t the person who honked. How unbelievably sad is that? Do any of you remember Sunday drives as a kid? After church and Sunday dinner, we would often hop in the old Bonneville boat and just go for a ride around town or through the country. My parents were anxious to see new housing developments, wave to neighbors enjoying their yards, and would most likely end with an ice cream cone from Bert T. Owens – the best ice cream ever. Sometimes that drive would take us to a local park, Shadyside, or Mounds State Park for some hiking fun. Never, not ever, did I have a concern that being in public or waving to people might put us in harm. Never, not ever, did I dream that someday I would have to be cautious in my interactions with others. On that haircut day, I told my stylist that I was glad I was old. Watching us implode as a society is gut-wrenching. He started to belly laugh saying he had never heard someone say they were happy to be old. But, in many ways, it is true. I am old and please, no lectures. I value every moment I have left in this lifetime. I have loved and lost, laughed and cried, and worked hard and played hard. And until now, I have never lived in fear. It is frightfully sad this is a reality for those who will continue on. But we have to keep smiling, right? And no, do not think I’m a little Miss Goody Two-shoes. I just wait for the right time to blow my cork. Once home, door closed and locked, I gave my own expletive deleted concert in honor of that jackass. Ah, but that is fodder for yet another rant.
Share your thoughts! Click the word Comments below and tell me what you think!
14 Comments
Jacque Stratman @Sassy Sentiments
7/14/2023 05:23:59 am
Gosh, Thanks, Marilyn! I am far from a real hero, and I hate that others have to live with these thoughts too. But... I am honored to be in such good company!
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Lisa
7/13/2023 08:15:22 am
DITTO!!!!! ❤️
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Jacque Stratman @Sassy Sentiments
7/14/2023 05:25:07 am
And I figured I was the only one who thought this... Thanks, Lisa! Votes of confidence make my day!
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Nyman
7/13/2023 09:25:29 am
Your blogs keep getting better. Somehow you always manage to share my thoughts as well as your own. Love you. Keep up the good work
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Jacque Stratman @Sassy Sentiments
7/14/2023 05:27:31 am
And here I thought I was alone! Life just isn't all sunshine and lollipops all the time, huh? And thank you, truly. I am touched by your support...!
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RLH
7/13/2023 02:33:00 pm
Out of curiosity, I did a search for a pix of (little) Miss Goody Two-Shoes. You are correct! It wasn't you...much to my surprise, of course....
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Jacque Stratman @Sassy Sentiments
7/14/2023 05:28:31 am
Only you, RAN....... ***harharsnort***
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Diana Witt
7/13/2023 02:56:22 pm
I FEEL THE SAME WAY. GLAD THAT I AM OLD.
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Jacque Stratman @Sassy Sentiments
7/14/2023 05:33:24 am
I welcome the company, Diana! But you know, I'd bet my parents and my grandparents thought the same thing as life around them changed. It will be just "life as they know it" for those who continue. But I still think it's sad that they won't know the innocence that we enjoyed... Thanks.
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Dale Conrad
7/13/2023 04:47:35 pm
You hit the nail on the head, it's so sad to be in fear of someone else triggering to explode....
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Jacque Stratman @Sassy Sentiments
7/14/2023 05:37:02 am
Thanks. Times change, I guess, and generations adjust. I'm just glad I was blessed with good times, not fearful times!
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Yes, life has certainly changed and not for the better. So many people are complete idiot's. Children are not taught to respect anyone or anything. Scary to think kids of today are our leaders of tomorrow.
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Jacque Stratman @Sassy Sentiments
7/15/2023 07:49:25 am
I've said all of this a gazillion times before too! I am not a parent, and while most believe because of that I don't have the right to comment, I rather think there are not any bad children, there are only bad parents. There is a time when kids become adults and have to take accountability, but they still have to be taught to understand. But YES! Hang in! Life is still a grand adventure!
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AuthorJacque Jarrett Stratman |