The Ride

The Ride

As some know my mom is 75 and has some trouble getting around. Her neighborhood has deteriorated over the years, and is not safe. I therefore have been insisting that she not go places by herself, to take note of suggestions I make about awareness and other such matters. I often take her places she needs to run errands, and use her handicapped hang tag to park closer. She finally admitted the cane I insisted she buy is actually making things a bit better.

“ I used to have your brother offer to take me places....he used to invite to attend that flea market in town...†(I'm thinking what brother...)

Momspeak for she wanted to attend a flea market in town. She wanted to see the old neighborhood where we grew up, and some other places. Made me feel uneasy; besides the fact these areas are in really bad areas, that kind of talk , well makes one wonder.

We did the flea market, she was worn out. She still wanted to see the areas , and I made it clear about safety, to let me do my thing, and for gosh sakes don’t be pointing at everyone and everything.

We always take my truck, I prefer to drive my truck and it is easier for her to get in and out.

So the old house is still standing, it was built with second hand lumber by her mom back when. The other houses her brother built around that area are long gone. Many of the houses our neighbors had are gone. The streets – many are concrete barricaded, or totally gone. Looks like a war zone. The big old tree with the tree-house – is gone.

"That aint' art mom - that IS gang graffetti"
"Oh"

All this time she senses I am in a different world – I hear her voice , I reply, but I’m in a state of orange with a tinge of red.

My high school has history, the Mobil station is a National Landmark now….we are passed on a side street – the car stops ahead at a angle, the glint may have been a cell phone….

I hit reverse, tires burning, next thing I hear “ I can’t take this…you didn’t back into a side street…â€

I surprised the car that had been following us at a distance, I swerved and didn’t have to take the sidewalk – I was about to.

“How fast are you going?â€

Then the young folks on the corner tossed a 2x4 in the street in front of us; had to go around that, the nails were obvious , the one tossed at from behind fell short…

Once out of the area in a safe area, mom drinking water from an empty water bottle…

“This is why I don’t go certain places, to avoid trouble – don’t be there in the first place.

I didn’t use a side street, I pulled a 180 in the middle of the road. There was another car blocking that cross street. I was doing about 80 mph when I hit the brakes and took that hard right at about 55 , my speedometer only goes to 85 , and it pegged when I hit that long stretch back there...â€

"Oh my, you were going faster than 85?"

"Yep"

“Oh…this was not a good idea of mine was it?â€

“Nope, anywhere else you need to see, any other errands we need to attend to?â€

“I’m ready to go home nowâ€

We get her home -“about that security stuff you want me to do around the house…â€
“And what did you say about keeping safe when I do so and soâ€
“So I need to change what I do, how I do it, and pay attention you say?â€

I had to assure I was not mad at her, just when I get in a certain mindset, and I am focused in a state of awareness, well that is the way I am.

I have a feeling she may be a bit more receptive about some of my concerns, like car-jackings going on around here, following elderly folks home from the Drug Store, and such.

I don’t recommend taking your elderly parents for such a ride, I do suggest educating them about how real today's world is though.

The type of firearm(s) I was CCW-ing are not as important , as the fact I have shot them alot, including Impromtu Car-Jackings, and shooting weak-handed , even from my truck, and other vehicles. I did have spare ammo , JHPs loaded in the firearms, FMJ as the spares.

I also take advantage of old farms, with hard dirt roads, I don't practice my parallel parking, I do practice "backing up and turning around", and getting around "debris" in the road.

Mirrors: Side mirrors are adjusted to where I can see the lanes on either side, I don't see the sides of my truck. I do see the blind spots, and use the rear-view to see not only what is directly behind, but also what is not. Most folks don't adjust the mirrors to best viewing potentials.

My truck, older and plain Jane , nothing to attract attention like exhaust sounds, stickers, or advertising a Stereo, Boat Mfg, favorite sports team...and for sure no fake bullet holes...enough vehicles around here sport the real thing.

I am the eldest of 4, I helped raise the 3 sibs and have always assisted mom - For the longest time I have been the eldest male in the family - the one who was supposed to fulfill that role, had other plans a l-o-n-g time ago.

There are numerous books about child-rearing, and books in regard to various phases kids go thru - don't seem to be any about raising one's elderly parent(s).

There is a role reversal of sorts, I know that. I also use what learned from some medical classes I have taken about how the pedriatric and geriatric are so very similar.

I can sit down and be honest with mom, explain why she cannot taste some foods, pharmacology, why she cannot eat some foods as she once did, why things upset her now - that once did not. It is said one is not fuly developed until age 16-18 , brain, bones, physiology, digestive system, integumentary, skeletal ....etc., Also stated after age 34- 36 the body starts going downhill...digestive, integumentary, skeletal, muscular...etc.

Sat mornings she does her Beauty Appointment, she deserves to be pampered, and to visit, shoot the breeze with the regulars. I agree having gone earlier would have nicer, then again we went at an "okay time" , for sure there are times one does not " venture down that alley".

I would have put my foot down - repectfully of course - still another time would have chosen.

Folks that know me, know I trust my gut. I knew what my gut was telling me, and I chose to do this. I did take precautions.

Like a parent does a child, you know the kid is gonna get spinters playing with sticks, will get wet tossing rocks in that creek, and if there is a mud puddle within 20 miles, they will find it. Guess that is why Station wagons came with Bactin, band-aids, change of clothes, clean tennis shoes,and tweezers back when I was a wee brat.

The 9th wonder of the Universe : why do women have to try every hand lotion on display - furthermore, what is the deal about getting too much and "your hands look dry" and they just gotta "share" this lotion?

Lee,

I appreciate the concerns my friend.

Nope momma wants to stay put. In fact I am in the process of doing stuff "finally" I am good at. I have a knack for Ideas on Security about the home/ business. I "tried" to do more than I was allowed once upon a time. With the shootings, carjackings, home invasions...I am being heard - finally.

Might have something to do with parking my truck down the raod and "appearing" unannounced. Made my point how vulnerable she is.

It is I that is looking to leave - sooner the better. I may be contacting you as well on some matters in this regard.

There are 3 sibs ( supposedly) and soon the bushes are going to be ablaze, and some words are going to come down from the mountaintop.

I've given for soooo long. I have to take care of some matters for ME. If I don't - I won't be able to be there for mom down the road.

Mom and sibs wanna know the answer to : Who is John Galt?"

OH I didn't see / haven't seen MS13 - yet. My gut tells me they are "around" ...not gonna go out looking for them though.

Guy just left with an estimate to do some work. Gave me the funniest grin..." I got elderly parents too...don't mind if I steal your idea do you? "

Nope.