“Wild Toad Ride”
February 27, 2007
Today I went on a “Wild Toad Ride” with a girl friend…and her two children!
Now that was an adventure…we went to Jacksonville Florida which is about 1.5 hours drive each way, from our starting point.
We got back 6.5 hours later and didn’t stop for food or bathroom breaks…now don’t get me wrong I did squeeze one bathroom break in there! LOL
So, if you are doing the math…3 hour trip…which became a 6.5 hour trip…you probably have figured out…that it was the blonde leading the blonde!
We did get lost a few times…BUT we where listening to some great motivational tapes!
HOWEVER, unlike men we stopped for directions. Four times, if I can remember correctly. I still can’t figure out why the air conditioning man on top of a very low gas station wouldn’t answer our pleas of “hey, you on the roof…Hey Mister…we need directions…can you helpppppppp us????” LOL
…between the Old McDonald had a farm songs…the 100 bottles of choclate milk on the wall song and 4 chapters of the book “Think and Grow Rich” …which the children fell asleep on…so there is a good lesson parents…you want those kids out like a light…read adult educational or self improvement books to them and sub conciously they will learn something valuable and not even know it!
Well, I drove there and she drove back…thru the rain going 70 miles an hour…hense the reason…I call it the “Wild Toad Ride.” Thank goodness she is a good driver. I only had 3 mild heart attackes and I did offer to replace the front floor board that/where I pushed thru to the asphault…thinking there was a break down there.
Actually I had a good time and was able to see a good friend. BUT, now I know why Gods’ grand plan did not include me having children…I just don’t have the energy or the patience!
Mothers out there in the world, I SALUTE YOU…you are a better person then I could ever hope to be! I give you my respect on this one!
My suggestion is…children or not…never turn down a “Wild Toad Ride!” Momments and laughter with a friend, can never be replaced or equaled!
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How beautifully you said this Sharon! I never learned to drive a car, so I guess if I start learning - that will remind of Wild Toad at least in the beginning.
As for Napoleon Hill, do you know that Andrew Carnegie himself told him to write that book! And Hill was writing it for decades. I read it and it is great.
Andrew Carnegie donated one university library to the city where I live, Belgrade, Serbia, I am eternally grateful to him for that. I believe that the duty of rich people is to donate libraries worldwide. In such way they will spread the knowledge.
Andrew’s library brought me many moments of joy. But where are today’s big capitalists to build libraries, they cannot say they did have no example.
Andrew Carnegie had only 4 grades of primary school. But look how deep was his wisdom! He even wanted to put on his gravestone, “Here lies a man who knew how to put into his service more able men than he was himself.” What great wisdom expressed in humble way!
Oh Sharon that was fun! I just wish you could have met the crusty clerk at the last convenience store who gave me directions. That was rich… Se definately was not a cow , maybe just an unhappy Rhino.
Cheers sis
HEY girl…We did have some laughs, didn’t we…remember what your daughter said…sugar highs are great! LOL
Hello Deyan
What an exotic location you are from…
What great pleasure you have given me, knowing that I will be remembered when you start driving. LOL Road trips are great…you really must learn how to drive.
The atlas that I looked up said that there was only one road in your town. How different that is from here…there would be no polution in the air!
Thank you for your delightful comment.
Sharon
Well, I don’t know if you actually believe that every city has soul, but let me tell you - Belgrade certainly has soul, and you can feel it when you are strolling by the river, or when you visit Kalemegdan fortress where everything is green(fields), lightblue(sky) and gray (fortress).
During its history Belgrade was invaded by 40 foreign armies, and it has been 38 (yes, thirty eight) times completely destroyed and risen from the ashes again. Therefore unlike other european cities you cannot find building in Belgrade that is older than 250 years.
I saw my share of history when NATO forces bombed my beloved Belgrade in 1999. My country was bombed WITHOUT prior permission of UN Security Council, the only international body that can approve military intervention against any sovereign country. But my beautiful Belgrade survived that aggression, as it did many times in its history.
It is incorrectly written that there is just one road in that atlas. Unfortunately there are many more roads, and there is pollution. It is a city of 1.5 million inhabitants. Best thing is to download and install Google Earth; not only you have detailed photo of Belgrade from the air, but you can see many interesting cities in the world in great detail too.
Last but not the least, there is a chinese proverb that says one picture is saying more than thousand words. Good, now it is time for me to shut my big mouth, and offer you link for photos of Belgrade - to enjoy in silence.
http://www.pbase.com/vmarinkovic/belgrade
Enjoy!
Joy & Gratitude,
Dejan
My Dear Deyan
I am afraid that you misunderstood me…about your Belgrade.
I do not relish large cities anymore, I love the smaller quaint cities and villages. Which is where I thought you lived. Even though it is by the shore…there was only one listing for a hotel.
I apologize if I offend you in any way, it was not my intent.
In truth your city is larger than I thought and very cosmopolitan…but now, what I seek is a smaller quieter life. I have lived in the large cities, here in Eastern America. But now I prefer the country life.
Your area is lovely and one thing that I regret is not being well traveled…but alas, work and family always came first. Perhaps the future will change that!
Home is always always best…as in the “Wizard of OZ” movie…”there is no place like home!” You home is lovely and perhaps one day, God willing, I will be able to go there and possibly meet the “word charmer”, Deyan.
Souls are every where…especially old souls, in cities, animals, people…it is really a small world.
I hate war! I am a peace lover! If men could have children they would not have wars…your Belgrade is strong and I believe that your city and it’s soul will forever endure.
Your friend,
Sharon
Dear Sharon,
You did not offend me in any way. On the contrary I think that you are great person. Like you, I also like cities that are smaller, and that do not have air pollution. It is because I am much into everyday jogging over the year, when it is not winter, so I would also like to have more clean air. Like Henry David Thoreau, I am lover of Nature!
I did not mean to say that you think Belgrade is soulless city or something. It is just that I wrote essay years ago where I address people with words “I don’t know if you actually believe that every city has soul, but let me tell you - Belgrade certainly has” and I am using that sentence always ever since like a figure of speech. So perhaps, hence the misunderstanding. And I am not of those people who think their hometown is the best in the world. I like to meet new places and new cultures.
I heard once that there are 11 Belgrades in the world. There are several Belgrade towns in the USA. Like Belgrade in Maine, Nebraska, Montana, Minessota, Missouri, and that one in North Carolina which is near the sea shore.
Belgrade in which I live is not in USA, but in southeastern Europe, on Balkans. Serbia is part of former Yugoslavia. And, yes, you are always very welcome to come here to visit
Forgive me if I caused any misunderstanding. English is not my native language, and there is a lot that I should learn more about the language and communication. I find that your blog is one of the most beautiful, and most promising here on Wordpress. I am so happy that I found your site, and be sure that I will be regular visitor in the future.
Math is simple ->
Dejan + Sharon = friends forever!
Greetings from Serbia!
I am so glad that we are now in complete understanding…perhaps we should start an admiration club…we could be the first two members!
It ia almost 4am here and I think I will c
all it a day. Why aren’t there enough hours in a day???
Be well, my new friend.
Smiles,
Sharon
Have you watch the movie Dead Poets’ Society? I always liked to be member of some club that respects poetry. Also I admire society that Transcendentalists from XIX century formed in Boston, America. Ralph Waldo Emerson is by far my favourite philosopher, of all world philosophers.
Keep smiling,
Dejan
Hello Deyan
Yes dear, I saw that movie…but it was a sad movie for me. Thinking outside the box should be a prerequisite all colleges! Name the course “Thinking Outside the Box 101″ .
My Mother was a great poetry lover. And Ralph Waldo Emerson was one of her favorites. I always knew when she was reading a poetry book as she would get this far away look on her face.
Perhaps you should start your own poetry club/society.
Keep me abreast on that!
Remember, a small seed can make a tree [just another positive thought/action]! LOL
Good site!!!
Personally, I wondered how this all came about. I am in the air conditioning industry and maybe just dont get it. I enjoyed visiting though!! Have a great weekend!
Hello Oldsmar
Thank you for the visit.
I hope you will come back often and post lots.
I know where Oldsmar is as I used to live in Tampa…I image it has really grown as it is such a nice area…way back then, even.
Can’t believe that you have never been on a wild toad ride with one of your friends…LOL
Have a good 4th of July…don”t eat too much watermelon or BBQ.
Smiles and world peace,
~The Baby Boomer Queen~