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It's a small world after all
Ten items or less
* Even if my family and I are out of town, we will see a familiar vehicle approaching and assume we know the people inside. When you are in a bigger city and you're waving frantically at the other vehicle just out of habit, they tend to look at your strangely.
Even so, it's still a small world out there.
Last week during a ski trip in Colorado, my husband and I were riding the ski lift and were nearly to the top. Stickers on the giant poles for the lifts is not uncommon; the "Arby hand" was stuck to many of the poles. But as I glanced at the last pole, the sticker looked particularly familiar.
It was blue and oval and had squiggle writing on it which said, "Bieroc Cafe ... Keeping Live Music Alive!"
You're never too far from home.
* Every four years, I giggle a little more as I listen to the radio and watch TV newscasts. It's because one of my favorite words reemerges into regular use: Gubernatorial. All it means is "of or relating to a governor," but it's never used regularly until the governor's race heats up.
Sure, the word looks innocent in its written form, but try saying it and you sound like a ... goober.
Perhaps, that is why you'll often hear broadcasters just try to avoid it all together by using other phrases such as "candidates for governors" or "the race for governor." Those phrases may be longer but they don't make your lips squinch up like you're trying to kiss someone. And furthermore, is it a coincidence that it sounds so similar to goober?
* While we're somewhat close to the subject of politics, legislators in Pierre, S.D., have passed a new drunk driving law. Now anyone in Pierre who decides to have a drink and then ride home -- on their horse or bicycle -- does not have to fear being arrested for driving under the influence.
The lawmakers have made horses and bikes exempt from the definition of a vehicle, figuring they are a little less lethal than a 2,000 pound vehicle.
My only question: Did anyone ask the horses if they wanted some sloppy, drunk person hopping on their back and weaving back home?
* I really feel for school administrators as they make out school schedules. It's hard enough to plan for the heat schedule at the beginning and end of the school year and snow days over the winter.
But how do they plan for above normal heat days in February like we had earlier this week?
* In last week's column, I noted the Olympic sports I was following and those I was avoiding, including curling.
I must amend my watch-list after some ribbing by curling fans -- all four of them.
With the remote control out of reach, a friend and I actually watching a entire three minutes of the curling final. We even found ourselves cheering for the team as they prepared to throw their last rock. They were going for the world record and we were going to be witnesses to this feat.
When they missed their shot by mere inches, my friend and I both moaned with disbelief. Of course, we wouldn't have known whether they made the world record or not without the commentary, but it was heartbreaking nonetheless.
* This last item is kind of personal. As everyone in McCook has likely noticed by now, the two Gas-n-Shops convenience stores have closed. After Casey's bought out Gas-n-Shops, it was likely that not all four stores would remain open. But McCook was hit especially hard, when you consider that McCook was home to 2 out of the 14 stores closed across the state. While you might say that there are plenty of other gas stations and convenience stores, it must be noted that there are no longer any 24-hour convenience stores open. Yes, you can get gas from a variety of different pay-at-the-pumps and Wal-Mart is open all night long if you are yearning for some fresh fruit and veggies. But at 2 a.m., you can no longer get a strawberry slushie or a made-from-powder cappuccino.
And while I'm not out at 2 a.m. very often, I liked having the option.