We find it most difficult to believe that we have come to the end of February. Much to our delight, the winter months seem to be flying by in spite of the fact that we have basically been housebound since the end of December. However, we hasten to point out that we are breaking the bonds of the house and slowly getting back into the swing of things.
Last week, for example, we were invited to join friends for dinner at the Hawkeye Grill. And while we were not completely certain we were ready for such an outing the lure of fellowship and food was too great to pass up. And we were most pleased that we were able to undertake such an outing, thoroughly enjoying the International Italian Night as well as the delightful fellowship. And that sojourn out in public was just the beginning. No longer is our only escape from the house either doctor’s appointments or physical therapy sessions.
In fact, we took the bull by the horns and managed to pilot the White Flash, also known as our Ford Fusion, about last Friday. We started out practicing our driving in the driveway during which we determined our right leg was indeed strong enough to drive. So we ventured around the block and when that went well, we took off driving down River Street to Lake Street to Pioneer Street, where we took a turn down lower Pioneer to the lake.
Then we whipped up Lake Street, past the golf course, turning around in The Farmers’ Museum parking lot before going back to the village and scooting up Pine Boulevard before turning down Main where, since there was a place, we parked for no good reason other than we could. We then turned right at the light and went down Chestnut Street to check the price of gas. It was an incredible $4.039. Fortunately, our tank was full. Then we turned on Beaver and tooled back down Delaware Street to Chestnut Street and on to the stoplight where we turned right to buzz down Main Street before returning home without incident. We think we did very well for a first time back behind the wheel.
And it also gave us a chance to check out some of the potholes of which we have heard complaints of late. We can, as a result of our spin around town, report that lower Pioneer Street has not yet heaved quite like it did last year.
Nor did we find in our travels, any gigantic pothole craters capable of swallowing small cars. Instead we thought the potholes seemed to be much more of the washboard variety ... annoying, somewhat jarring but nonetheless not outrageous.
Of course, we suspect that one’s reaction to the dangers of potholes is probably tied to one’s vehicle, including tire size, suspension and age, and one’s driving. We tend to think when it comes to negotiating potholes, slower works better than faster. And we are certain that there are many out there who would disagree with our assessment of this year’s crop. Plus, we have not yet ventured very far beyond the village limits and thus do not know what else might be lurking as we expand our horizons.
We do hasten to point out that while we anticipate expanding our horizons in the days and weeks ahead, we will not abandon items of interest that come across our desk via telephone, email and snail mail. To that end, we wish to share a few such things that have arisen of late.
Our brother and sister-in-law, who recently vacationed in California, sent us what they thought was an interesting statement made on a pizza box they came across in Coronado, Calif., which said, “All dough made with authentic New York water.” We must admit we have no idea what this claim means.
Does “authentic New York water” refer to New York City water? Or does it include any water from the state of New York? But no matter which water was meant, what difference does is make to the pizza dough? From our perspective, when it comes to making pizza dough, water is water. Or is “authentic New York water” better than any other water? We don’t get it and can’t help but wonder if, in California, “authentic New York water” has some meaning of which we are clueless.
And finally, we received an email from a college friend which dealt with one of our favorite subjects, the inconsistency of the English language. And since it presents a rather worthy challenge, we thought it to be most appropriate to share with others.
Can you read these sentences right the first time?
1. The bandage was wound around the wound.
2. The farm was used to produce produce.
3. The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4. We must polish the Polish furniture.
5. He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6. The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8. A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10. I did not object to the object.
11. The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13. They were too close to the door to close it.
14. The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15. A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16. To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17. The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18. Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
19. I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20. How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
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