Wednesday Randoms <3

It’s a rainy Wednesday on the Prairie and thus we shall enjoy some randoms.

Random #1

Four way stops are always a roll of the dice here in the Midwest. 

As far as I can tell the basic rules are:

• The larger the vehicle the more right of way they have.
• You will encounter at least one stand off a week where both drivers are waving for the other to go. Invariably, both finally attempt to go at the same time, apologetic waves are exchanged and the whole process starts over again. 
• Pick up trucks often like to race you to the stop sign, slam briefly on the brakes and then barrel on through. Not all, but a lot do this. 
• Quite a few drivers have trust issues and although they are already fully stopped as you approach your part of the transaction, they will continue to sit there for a sweet forever until you have fully braked and counted to three. Then they will make their turn. 
• Don’t confuse these types with the ones who will want to out-polite you. These are a different breed.

Good luck with your endeavors out there on the by-ways. 

I would be interested to hear your assessment of the stop sign protocol in your neck of the woods. 

Random #2

Joel had a living history project towards the end of the year. He was going to be Robert E. Lee. While I don’t agree with General Lee’s stand on slavery, our grandson was the cutest thing to ever jump out of the pages of history. 

I happened to be helping one day with homework while Rachel was chatting with him about his costume in another room. He was adamant that he needed a cowboy hat. She was certain they didn’t have one. 

The panic in this little rule-follower was escalating so I slid away from the 2nd grade math homework and entered the laundry room where he was near tears. 

I wrapped my arms around him and whispered that I knew where he could get a cowboy hat. 

Big eyes turned to me inquiring where…and I whispered a prayer of thanksgiving that I had not purged the one my father bought me five decades ago in Bozeman Montana. 

We were there on vacation and my dad is the original “Go big or go home” guy.

The Wally Byam Caravan Club was having their intentional rally on the outskirts of town that summer and he figured he needed a cowboy hat for the various ceremonies and events. 

He thought I needed one as well so he purchased a ridiculously expensive, legitimate suede one for me and another for himself. 

I remember leaving the store, both of us with these big western hats on our Kentucky heads, feeling as self-conscious as any greenhorns in the area. 

Another quality of my dad was being firmly based in reality and saying things succinctly and without flair. 

As we walked along he must have sensed my teenage embarrassment and so he just spoke to me without turning his head in my direction, “I feel as silly as you do, but we will get used to them.”

I have moved that hat all over the country and while it has been used for Halloween costumes and skits, it has never been worn by me as a real hat.

My dad was wrong, I never stopped feeling silly in it.

During a recent closet clean out, I picked it up and considered donating it. I had even dropped it in the bag of giveaways, but for some reason put it back. 

I am so very glad I did. 

Seeing that little grandson of ours in the hat my dad bought for me was priceless.

I felt like he was there, grinning and wiping tears away just like his daughter. 

And I am sure he would have agreed with me, on Joel…the hat does not look silly at all <3

Random #3

Speaking of hats, and cowboy hats in particular…I started following an author who is a storyteller extraordinaire. 

His name is Sean Dietrich and I could be his mom, by age and type.

He has an old soul and if you like the way I write, I am pretty sure you will love his work. He is way better than me, but it is the same vibe. 

He recently wrote a piece posted on social media under his name that has to do with his father and a cowboy hat, but a whole different story. 

I am highly recommending you check out his blog, books and follow him on social media. 

Here are the links:

https://seandietrich.com – his website

https://www.facebook.com/seandietrichwashere social media link

Random #4

I am knitting a new pair of socks. 

This is my second pair and the way the dye of the yarn makes a pattern is giving me all kinds of happy moments. 

And I think how our days kind of have various colors and moods that look fairly unremarkable and yet God knits them into the most beautiful stories. 

He is cool like that. 

Random #5

Last night I cleaned off our dining room table of the last of the school papers. 

Russ took my laptop, charger, keys and some materials to pass along to the next teacher that I had purchased. 

And I feel a huge sense of closure. 

Thanks for the love and prayers. 

Your words of encouragement have been an oasis. 

You are loved back. Dearly.