Saturday, February 12, 2011

Saturday Post: Smells and Smiles Start the Day



The day got off to a funny start in a smelly kind of way.

After giving someone a ride yesterday morning, in minus 10 degree weather, I got stuck behind a huge, open ended garbage truck.

I pulled my warm, black scarf over my nose and the bottom half of my face to avoid the not-so-sweet smells from permeating my car through any cracks.  A double yellow line and blocked view of oncoming cars made it impossible to pass the garbage monster.

The truck would grind forward a short distance, then stop. A worker would hop down, grab a garbage can from the side of the road, put it on some kind of a gadget that emptied it, and then he'd throw the can back to the side of the road.

A long line of cars began to form behind mine but I couldn't budge an inch.  No doubt there were quite a few angry commuters but it was too darned cold for them to shake their fists outside their windows. 

So there I sat behind the wheel of my car, scarf covering my nose, stuck behind the smelly truck and it wasn't even 8 a.m. yet.  The ridiculous aspects of the situation made me burst out laughing.  The people in the car behind might have thought I was crazy but I couldn't stop. Looking  into the gaping mouth of the truck and laughing,   I couldn't help but think that even garbage trucks "eat" breakfast.

Forehead in hand, while perched on the steering wheel, I just let the laughter rip. My shoulders shook with laughter and I wiped happy tears from the corners of my eyes.

Vroom vroom, went the truck  and then squeaked to a halt. More breakfast went into the truck's gaping mouth. Vroom vroom, next stop!

Finally, the gods showed mercy. The garbage truck passed a bend in the road.  The coast was clear and I gunned it.  The long, snaking line of traffic behind me was now history and so was the garbage truck.



Breakfast, anyone?

10 comments:

diane stetson said...

Hey, I don't see any snow in these pictures and it's ten below zero...I don't even see ice...wow. Sometimes we need a good laugh especially in tense situations..good for you Susan!

Victorian1885 said...

Funny story..I wish more people would deal with road rage like you did! Have a great weekend!

Bookie said...

Just a dandy little post, Susan. Have been there myself.

Linda O'Connell said...

You can't laugh and hold your nose at the same time, and uhm, no snow in this photo :)
But what a great message in this story.

Susan said...

ha ha ha ha ha Very observant readers! You are right! There IS no snow in these photos. When I was stuck behind the truck, I didn't have my camera so freefoto.com provided the photos in this post!

That website, by the way, is absolutely great! Check it out if you leave your camera home and need a photo!

Thanks for stopping by and commenting, girls. Love, Susan

mo said...

Hi Susan, You are a true writer. Making the mundane seem fascintating. You made me giggle. Great description of the situation. We have all been there and can all relate. *hugs*

Minnie Kitchen said...

I was thinking...wow! you took pictures! haha but I was walking to the post office (which is a mile away) in the freezing cold weather and thought if anyone would give me a ride...but then thought that I would be scared if someone tried to stop my car. So I just kept walking! You are a saint!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Its always good to be able to laugh at things like this!

Chatty Crone said...

You sure took that great - which is great.

I always get behind these big trucks that carry stuff - looks like a garbage truck - and kicks stuff up with their wheels and the rocks make a crack in the windshield.

Love,
sandie

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Isn't it amazing when something strikes you funny. It's such a good feeling to have a really good laugh. Wouldn't it be wonderful if once an hour all day long we could laugh till our sides hurt.

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