Misery loves company. Talk about something that frustrated YOU.--Al

-- Al Schroeder (al.schroeder@nashville.com), May 18, 2000

Answers

A number of years ago when I was young enough to put up with being in a worrisome situation it was necessary to play nursemaid. I nursed an old car on its very last legs from Denver to Tampa, in May, only being able to drive at a very slow speed. It was a year of flooding in the Mississippi valley and finding a place to cross the river was quite difficult. Managed to get across once, drove miles and miles in hub deep water going very slow to keep from drowning the engine out and had to return because the roads were barred further on to traffic. The further south I went the heat and the humidity began to harry me severely. Short on money the eating was sparse and motels out of the question. Trying to get to Tampa before I fell asleep over the wheel was one of the most difficult things I ever did. At one point I began to hallucinate seeing strange things ahead of my headlights. Once I took a wrong turn (they had them in those days too) ending up on a dirt road, finding a bare spot on the side I pulled up and went to sleep sitting up because the back of the car was loaded with possessions. That one sleep let me get to destination. Shortly after I arrived "Old Betsy" finally collapsed at the side of the road. I was fortunate, but frustrated with most everything about the trip. Learned a lesson in patience and endurance though.

-- Denver doug (ionoi@webtv.net), May 19, 2000.