“The “Street Sign” – – Predicament”

Nov 4th “The “Street Sign” – – Predicament”

Now we get to finish the “PREDICAMENT” story…

Nothing in the world is so miserable – – as when you are traveling … long-distance driving – – having to cover several “STATES in AMERICA” – – and you have a deadline – – you are scheduled to be – – there – – – at work … at 10:30 p.m.! – – Also… this is in the 1960’s – – before the “era of CELL PHONES” – – unable to call someone – – when in a highly stressing situation!

Finally… pull into the drive-way – – let the boys out of the car – – and have them take whatever they can carry in – – and to ask “GRANDPA” to come to the car – – help unload – – so the car will be ready for me – – to drive to work.

Did you ever see someone in a hurry – – to do a million things all at the same time – – WELL – – that was ME – – so my DAD – – told me to just go to bed – – get a little sleep – – he would wake me in time to leave for work. So. DADDY took to fixing the boys something to eat – – and then finished the cleaning of the car – – so that I could just “FLY LOW” – – but at least… I would be at WORK… on time!

A couple of hours of sleep – – did help – – my nerves were still on high – – still into the rushing and not paying a lot of attention to what I was doing – – only knew that I had to get to WORK. – – and on TIME! “Telegraph ROAD ran into Broadway” and into downtown “Saint Louis” – – then… find a parking space behind the “Telephone” building – – and run as fast as I could… into the LOBBY – – – show my “identification – – hit the button for my floor… taking the elevator up – – to the locker room area – – put my purse in my locker… meet up with a few of the others – – all ready for the “NIGHT” shift.

Taking my assigned position… calls coming in and we are busy – – hours are going by – – employees leaving – – and soon – – just maybe five or six “OPERATORS” left to work the rest of the NIGHT. Time for me to take a “LUNCH BREAK” – – so I find a blanket and a sofa – – and stretch out.

“OUT” like a light… someone came to where I was – – and said “LUNCH TIME” is over – – – “I’ll be in… in a few minutes” – – and fell back to… sleep. – – Again… someone came out to tell me – – “LUNCH TIME IS OVER!” – – – – – “OKAY” – – HERE I COME!” – – – – “I’LL WAIT and WALK YOU IN!” – – – “WOW” was I ever tired… so when I arrived at my position – – – – I just stood… instead of sitting down – – figured I would finally – – “WAKE UP” – – until… “seven in the morning” – – at which TIME… I would go to my car – – and drive very carefully … HOME!

Once I was outside the building – – in the new morning light – – I was really beginning to “WAKE UP” – – – did not feel too bad – – was able to drive slow and safely HOME – – pulled into the garage – – went inside – – got dressed for bed… and out like a light – – till late afternoon. How I did it – – – was a wonder – – sometimes we try to do more than we should – – but one thing for sure – – I did not try doing that kind of a “VACATION” a second TIME – – guess that as I get older… got some sense – – that makes sense – – “Why hurry – – there’s always TOMORROW … which never gets here – – letting you LIVE a little LONGER – – and maybe even for another DAY!” D.V.