Another Sunday on Cheaha was just the ticket to bring me some much needed peace. A trip there with my old singing partner, his parents and son, was a lovely way to spend a day.
"Mama" brought a huge bucket of KFC with all the trimmings, and some homemade "sweets", while, "Pop" lugged the cooler over to the picnic table.
Jack is never without his guitar(prounced GIT tar)and soon after eating, produced it and began to play and sing. Before long, he had drawn a small crowd who seemed impressed with this, "long haired country boy".
One of my favorites that he does, always brings tears to my eyes, along with a mixture of sad/happy.
He began strumming the intro to John Denver's, Back Home Again, and I could feel my eyes begin to well up with tears.
Bald Rock was, as always, breathtaking. We have been here as 7 and 10 year olds with our parents. Back then, he seemed more interested in finding something to scare me with,pulling my hair,thumping me,rather than taking in the view.
We took a stroll down memory lane, remembering the good times and bad.
He reminded me of an incident that occured in 2003. We had gathered together at a cabin for the birthday party of a friend. The group of smokers had moved to some rocks, to sit, talk, smoke and listen to music from Jack's almost new radio.
The opening bars of Open Arms by Journey stopped me in my tracks. I had been unable to listen to that song since May of 2002. Something inside me snapped like a dry twig.
"I HATE that song!" I screamed and before I knew what happened, had grabbed the radio and flung it out into the darkness.
Nobody said a word until a loud, "THUNK" was heard as it crashed into the rocks below. (**I DID REPLACE THE RADIO WITH A BRAND NEW AND MUCH NICER MODEL)
Oh, it wasn't funny then, but we laugh about it now.
I mention that because, lately, I have developed a SEVERE hatred of cell phones. Jack's cell phone is as much a part of him as his arm. It is with him ALWAYS.
It went off 3 times during lunch and as many times up on Bald Rock. The last time in the midst of a pretty serious coversation. Naturally, he took the call, and made note of the disgusted look in my eyes.
"Hold on a sec", he said to the caller, then turning toward me, "...whats wrong?"
"Remember the radio incident?" I asked, he nodded.
"Well, I'm having the same urge with your cell phone."
He turned his attention back to the caller.
"Hey, let me get back with you later tonight,'cause I have myself a feeling that if I don't,my cell phone will be at the bottom of this mountain in about 5 seconds.Even I know better than to mess with a pissed off Southern Belle."
REMEMBER WHEN:
Remember when you could have a conversation and not be interuppted by a cell phone?
Remember when, you could go out to eat without being subjected to the cell phone conversations and obnoxious cell phone ring tones of others?
Remember when, you only had to be subjected to one side of the conversation, but now, with 2 ways, you get to hear both sides.
I am curious about the cell phone habits of others. I know this isn't Friday, but would appreciate a little feedback.
1-Do you ever turn your cell phone off?
YES.
2-When you sleep is it near by?
NO. I don't know where it is half the time.
3-Do you get up in the middle of the night or at the butt crack of dawn to check for missed calls,voice mail or text messages?
NO.
4- Do you carry it with you where ever you go?
If I am traveling, yes. But, usually once I arrive at my destination, I leave it in the car.
5-Do you use your cell phone in public?
Sometimes, but usually....NO. Especially if I am out with family or friends, if it happens to be in my purse, I just let it ring.
6-Would you be lost without your cell phone?
NO.I have a life and it doesn't revolve around the cell phone.
ADVICE FOR CELL PHONE JUNKIES:
Don't get mad when "In Person" people won't engage in serious conversation with you. Chances are they know you are a cellphoneaholic.
Other than a little cell phone rage, I had a pretty good day.
Later Ya'll...^Belle^
