Now I got it. You love chaos. You are bored with seaside calm and a rare visitor. California doesn't have wild bulls running down your street does it.... tsk. Call the mayor and have it arranged. Maybe a carnival parade in front of your door, or marching bands at 6 am and 7. My excitement is the placement of one thread over another, over and over for yards and yards. YOU are my excitement. Keep writing )))))
Lovely suggestions, Kate, but I my goal now is to WRITE adventures. From the comfort of my cozy little home. You keep weaving, spinning, making lace, girl. That is your heaven.
". . and the steering wheel is left seriously unattended" - Nothing like going from the bucolic countryside to a ride through Hell. One's thoughts turn religious. Did you stay religious afterwords? : )
No, James Ron, religion only pops out in me in times of sheer terror. A holdover from my latent childhood catholicism -- I haven't been able to purge all of it. But you know as well as I do, that most of the fun of traveling is encountering the unexpected, meeting the challenge of the unknown. Thanks for always standing behind my work and propping me up. It is an honor, coming from such a fine writer as yourself.
Was reading your lines to my wife whose family are Sicilian. She's like yep! These were her grandfather's and mom's oft dialogue! Self driving cars, maybe?! A very funny piece, Sharron!
Thank you, Ron. It took a while for me to understand my Italian in-laws. I always thought they were fighting, but found out that that is just how some Italians relate to each other - I loved them all dearly.
You have a pretty darned good memory, Linda. I originally posted this last January and it was written in the first person. I changed it to "she" and liked the distant POV better.
I had to read this little gem of an adventure twice to soak up all the nuances! And got to laugh twice as much, especially at this line: "the driver needs his hands to talk." These 7 words totally capture the moment and the culture -- amazing!!
The man and the woman were such characters, but it was hard to picture them without any hints about their age or looks. I got the impression they were middle-aged and well-dressed (since at the end there's mention of stiletto boots and romantic dinner), but was really curious to know something about how they appeared at first impression when getting into their car.
Ha ha ha - I guess the hitch-hiker got the view from the back seat! I had them pictured as married in their 30s, trendy and stylish ( they are, after all, Italian!)
Very funny and realistic story. There are/were many Italians in my life including my wife and I've been told more than once, it's not an angry conversation, it's just a conversation with passion.
"For all she knows they were simply trying to decide which restaurant was the best choice for tonight’s romantic dinner." Haha, such passion for everyday life! This is great Sharron. Glad she survived to tell about it.
Thank you, Rebecca. I KNOW you have tons of stories to read (not to mention waking up each morning to a gadzillion email comments to respond to), so I am honored you make time to read my efforts. Happy New Day to you.
Now I got it. You love chaos. You are bored with seaside calm and a rare visitor. California doesn't have wild bulls running down your street does it.... tsk. Call the mayor and have it arranged. Maybe a carnival parade in front of your door, or marching bands at 6 am and 7. My excitement is the placement of one thread over another, over and over for yards and yards. YOU are my excitement. Keep writing )))))
Lovely suggestions, Kate, but I my goal now is to WRITE adventures. From the comfort of my cozy little home. You keep weaving, spinning, making lace, girl. That is your heaven.
". . and the steering wheel is left seriously unattended" - Nothing like going from the bucolic countryside to a ride through Hell. One's thoughts turn religious. Did you stay religious afterwords? : )
I sure like the way you write.
No, James Ron, religion only pops out in me in times of sheer terror. A holdover from my latent childhood catholicism -- I haven't been able to purge all of it. But you know as well as I do, that most of the fun of traveling is encountering the unexpected, meeting the challenge of the unknown. Thanks for always standing behind my work and propping me up. It is an honor, coming from such a fine writer as yourself.
Thank you, Sharron. Such a nice thing to say. You've always been so supportive, and inspiring. The honor is mine! : )
“Beretta” “stiletto”
Nice touch Sharron!
When do you open your travel guide service? I want to be your first customer!
Ha ha ha! Now wouldn't we have fun! Nah, I am sure my kind of travel would be much too tame for the likes of T Dalton Wolf... Fun thought, though.
Tame for T. Dalton, maybe, but not for little old John😊
Ha ha ha! Your alter ego. Let's see a photo of little old John, then, please.
I’m bound to post one someday
You've probably noticed my own Substack icon is a painting, too. Shy!
🫣
Was reading your lines to my wife whose family are Sicilian. She's like yep! These were her grandfather's and mom's oft dialogue! Self driving cars, maybe?! A very funny piece, Sharron!
Thank you, Ron. It took a while for me to understand my Italian in-laws. I always thought they were fighting, but found out that that is just how some Italians relate to each other - I loved them all dearly.
Too funny!!!
True story. Not even embellished. Thanks for reading it, Janice!
This is so great. So so true.
Gotta be ready for anything or your trip is ruined. It is all learning, all adventure. Thank you Leslierose
I think you may have posted this before but in a different tense? It certainly catches the craziness of the adventurous ride, any which way!
You have a pretty darned good memory, Linda. I originally posted this last January and it was written in the first person. I changed it to "she" and liked the distant POV better.
I wish there was a "laughter" emoji on Substack. Thank you, Sharron.
Thanks, Sue. Glad it made you smile.
I had to read this little gem of an adventure twice to soak up all the nuances! And got to laugh twice as much, especially at this line: "the driver needs his hands to talk." These 7 words totally capture the moment and the culture -- amazing!!
The man and the woman were such characters, but it was hard to picture them without any hints about their age or looks. I got the impression they were middle-aged and well-dressed (since at the end there's mention of stiletto boots and romantic dinner), but was really curious to know something about how they appeared at first impression when getting into their car.
Ha ha ha - I guess the hitch-hiker got the view from the back seat! I had them pictured as married in their 30s, trendy and stylish ( they are, after all, Italian!)
Very funny and realistic story. There are/were many Italians in my life including my wife and I've been told more than once, it's not an angry conversation, it's just a conversation with passion.
Yes! Takes a little while to get the hang of it.
The build up was wonderful in this piece
Thank you, Linda, for stopping by to read some 🍁Leaves! I'm glad this story made you laugh!
"For all she knows they were simply trying to decide which restaurant was the best choice for tonight’s romantic dinner." Haha, such passion for everyday life! This is great Sharron. Glad she survived to tell about it.
She was, too! Prayer works in Italy sometimes?
Now that is traveling!
A wild half-hour, that's for sure! Thanks, Mark!
Such energy, such craziness - another wonderful story, Sharron! You transport me with your tales of life in far-flung places. Thank you.
Thank you, Rebecca. I KNOW you have tons of stories to read (not to mention waking up each morning to a gadzillion email comments to respond to), so I am honored you make time to read my efforts. Happy New Day to you.
'Happy New Day' - Sharron, now I KNOW I love you! 🥰