Shooting the Breeze'!

A dozen or so 'wise old birds' gathered at the usual watering place to brush up on safety techniques and learn anew the ways to avoid crashes. A couple of highlights would include the discussion that ensued about the many ways that life has changed since we were kids. It got me thinking about my childhood and playing in the park with friends and other kids from the surrounding neighborhood. There were the usual swings, slides, a huge sandbox, basketball courts, and tennis courts which were purposefully turned into ice skating rinks in the winter. I can vividly recall the smell of smouldering mittens as we huddled around that warm barrel of fire. I'm thinking that would never exist in today's litigious society. The pavilion type clubhouse was the center of attention in the summer when the talent show was organized to present to an audience of our siblings and parents. We also wove baskets and created colorful lanyards. I also remember taking tap dancing lessons for a bit. Lots of fun stuff to do.

There was a very tall iron maypole with about six chain link individual 'hands-on' bars. Everyone would grab one and begin to run in a circle and then as our feet came off the ground...we were flying. I haven't seen a maypole in 50 years!!

The strange thing within its borders was a real air plane that we climbed all over the wings, the engine areas, etc. It was like an old blue war plane. I can't imagine how it came to rest there, and now as I think about it, I am shaking my head and thinking it was relatively strange as I see it now.

One of the participants in the driving class whose name was Elsie raised her hand and shared...

"Speaking of seeing, my sister took her husband and his brand new glasses back to 'Lens Crafters' and began to complain. "

The clerk asked what the problem was, and her sister answered,

"These are brand new glasses and he still doesn't see things the way I do!!"

The twenty three of us laughed together as we shared the homemade brownies that were brought in on the second day by a very thoughtful baker among them.

I had to ask Leonard how tall he was because at 87 he was still a very tall glass of water!

"I am 6ft. 3 in. tall. I was 6 ft. 7in. tall but I have shrunk over the years!"

I wonder if I will see Leonard in three years for the next driver safety class. He would be 90 then and probably still sporting that very friendly smile and genuine sincerity in his eyes.The paperwork is done, and mailed to the two places that process the receipts.

The next class is the next two Saturday mornings from 9:30-12:30 at the local firehouse. It will include people who work during the week and have trouble finding a class to fit their working schedule.

Most likely there will be a different perspective to 'aggressive driving' and occasional 'road rage' that might occur getting to and from their jobs. There are 30 people signed up so far. Quite a robust flock that will gather together to 'shoot the breeze' while saving money on their car insurance. Better yet is that they may be saving lives...their own and possibly others, too.