Have you ever experienced an OFF day?
Yesterday was a day like that.
I woke up cross with the world,
knowing that a full day of computer work
was ahead of me.
It didn’t help that my husband
cheerfully announced
that he’d go for a hike,
‘It must be nice to be retired.’
was my crisp response.
Reluctantly I got ready,
comfy pants, cup of tea,
sit down at the desk
and open emails.
Only problems,
left and right,
misunderstandings and
rumors getting out of hand.
Where should I start?
Answering one by one,
I digest my mail,
venting in some,
setting records straight in others.
‘The world is a madhouse’,
I think to myself.
Trying to access the internet
is like trying to open
a can of something
with a nail – very slow going.
Patience is not my strong suit today,
– or ever.
The image of Guenter hiking our beautiful mountains
isn’t helping the drudgery either.
Nothing is working the way it should!
The internet, choir, or work.
Explicit words parade through my head,
lining up like pearls on a string,
just not as pretty.
I pay bills,
write paychecks,
order items for The store,
scratching little things off my list.
Internet is still shitty,
so It’s time to drive
to the post office, accountant,
bank, get gas, and
then – chill out!
I get into my warhorse, the Volvo,
thinking ‘Really should take the Toyota’,
but it’s his car, so I don’t.
Three things done,
I head to Fred Meyer
to drop off mail and fill up gas
before heading back home.
At the mailbox
I notice a strange smell,
‘Must have been the car that just
pulled out’, I think, and close the window.
Joining the line at the gas station
I see smoke billowing out
from under my hood
and the stench is nauseating.
‘Oh no, my car is on fire’, I think.
In one fluid movement
I am backing out of the queue
past honking drivers,
turn around, park, turn off the engine,
and get the hell out of the car.
Meanwhile, the menacing smoke
has attracted quite a few people.
A security guard yells into her walkie-talkie
to bring out a fire extinguisher – pronto.
Nervously I opened the hood.
Whoosh, more smoke and steam,
smells like electrical fire, but no flames.
From the steady stream of fluids
under my car, it looks
like the engine overheated.
I call home mayday,
asking to bring water,
and oil, just in case,
and after an eternity,
Guenter comes to the rescue.
Waiting for him,
I experienced kindness from strangers
In form of advice or offered help.
Never expected it in this town.
The engine has cooled down,
it still stinks.
We fill the empty water tank
and I decide to drive the
steamy dragon home,
closely watching the temperature gauge
with the heater on, full blast.
Did I mention it before?
I HATE O F F DAYS
Hiking Poet 