Let the Good Times Roll!

 Sunday, February 11…Fast Car (Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs)

   We took off today for our annual Arizona getaway.  But it was a slow take off because I’m feelin’ a little under the weather…thought it was a cold that turned into a sinus infection but a trip to urgent care clinic determined that it’s Influenza A.  Well, that sucks!!  But it explains so much including the total lack of energy.  We had talked about leaving Feb.10^th (yesterday)  but when it came down to it, I had  a hard time getting off the couch because of the unrelenting pressure in my face/head . Finally asked for a moist hot compress which allowed the pressure to subside enough that I was able to get up and help with the packing.  Today Kim was willing to postpone our departure again to give me some more recuperation time but after a couple of rounds with the hot compress followed by a hot, hot shower, I was ready to hit the road.  Of course, I took a lot of cat naps along the way but we both knew that was going to happen since last night my head stuffed up as soon as I lay down to sleep and then the coughing started…not sure I slept longer than 10 minutes at a time.  What a broken up night! 

   It was about a 500-mile day…stopped for the night in Pontiac, Illinois.  With all the dozing I did today, I sure hope I’m able to sleep tonight. Getting my head clear so I can breathe will be key to that.

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   Super Bowl---since we were still on the road when it started, we listened to it on the radio---checked into a hotel with about 6 minutes left in the half.  Got myself all comfy in time to see the trick play that resulted in a McCaffrey touchdown.  That was sweet!  Because we were on the road, listening to the game on the radio was what we had available but I kept thinking about the Super Bowl commercials…I thought the talking babies were making a comeback and I really wanted to see if they lived up to the originals.  As of halftime I haven’t seen the talking babies but the Dunking Donuts commercial with Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Matt Damon and Tom Brady had me laughing out loud…which was quickly followed by a fit of coughing, but I appreciated the laughter. Other than that, the ads didn’t impress me much.

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   I know the Super Bowl halftime show is supposed to be the musical event of the season but, for me, that honor goes to Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs singing “Fast Car” at the Grammy’s. I am obsessed with the Grammy performance video…starting with the showcasing of her hands playing those opening notes, followed by that shy, yet megawatt grin as she glanced to the left where Luke Combs would appear and then being able to watch him soak in the experience of sharing the stage with Tracy.  The camera angle was masterful; the performance was simple, an old song got new life and, dang, it’s just plain ol’ fun to watch Tracy and Luke together!

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  I wanted the Lions to win the Super Bowl this year, but since that wasn’t in the cards, I was rooting for the 49ers.  I liked the Brock Purdy story…final pick in the 2022 draft, third string quarterback in his rookie year, then became the starter after the first- and second-string quarterbacks were injured.  And in his second year, he makes it to the Super Bowl.  But mostly, I like to see different teams win the championship game, whether it’s football, baseball or basketball.  Spread the fun around.  So, we watched a good game that went into overtime, then shut the TV off and went to bed. I had no need to hang around to see if there would be a Taylor/Travis show or a Brittany/Patrick show either, for that matter....the bed was calling. 

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Monday, February 12…You Sound Like You’re Sick (Ramones)     

   Up early, showered and out the door just as the sun was breaking over the horizon.   Not sure of the time because not all of our technology had changed when we crossed into the Central Time Zone last night and frankly, I just didn’t have it in me to care about the time.  We were awake and we had over 1,600 miles to go to our destination…the time didn’t matter. 

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   Slept better last night than the night before, but maybe it wasn’t quality sleep as I dozed most of the day again. I still have a very raucous cough but there’s less pressure in my face and that’s a good thing.  In addition to the Tamiflu prescription, I’ve been taking Sudafed, Tylenol and using nose spray on a regular basis, along with cough drops.   However, my eye now seems to be leaking gooey stuff.  Since I’m considering it a major improvement that the facial pressure has decreased and breathing is so much easier, the gooey stuff is just a minor inconvenience for now.

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   Kim’s neck decided to get all angry with him just before we left so he’s been dealing with that.  We are quite the pair at this point in time but hot, hot showers are a great way to start the day.

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   Got off the road before the setting sun became an issue for Kim’s eyes…stopped at Emporia, Kansas, for the night.

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Tuesday, February 13…Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball (Natalie Cole)

   Both of us woke up feeling refreshed which is an improvement over the last couple of nights.  Let’s get this party back on the road!!

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   My first duty this morning when getting in the truck was to plot our route.  I let Kim know that our first stop was going to be McAdams Park in Wichita, which is the park where the Jackie Robinson statue was located.  He response? “So we’re going to the park where there isn’t a statue to see?” to which I replied,  “Well, his shoes were left behind so we should be able to see them.”

   The park was easy to find, right off the highway.  It’s a 50-acre sports complex with baseball and

football fields and basketball courts and so much more, with a magnet school thrown into the middle of it.  But Jackie Robinson’s shoes are gone.  All that remains is the home plate-shaped base that held the statue, surrounded by murals which reflect upon nine of Jackie Robinson’s core values:  Determination, Courage, Teamwork, Integrity, and Persistence to name a few.  Jackie broke the ‘color barrier’ of Major League Baseball in 1947, which had a domino effect for other baseball teams and other sports. But that didn’t mean that it was an easy road for those first black professional athletes.  Segregation was still a thing.  Anyway, Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers twelve years before I was born, meaning that pro sports have been desegregated for my entire lifetime. When something has always been a certain way, it’s easy to overlook the struggle it took to get there, especially if the history taught in schools skims over or neglects to cover a particular event.  Like the Women’s Suffragette Movement…I’d never thought about what it took to secure my right to vote because I’ve always had that right and it wasn’t a major history point taught in school.  But watching a well-done documentary when I was in my 50’s made me see and value my ability to vote in a whole new light.  And maybe the outrage over the theft of the Jackie Robinson statue will expose more people to a new appreciation of what it was that he accomplished.

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   No matter what route we’ve ever taken through Kansas, wind has always been a presence. A fierce wind that likes to push people around.  However, today there was no wind, which was a cause for celebration because it made travel much less stressful. Kim’s neck and my respiratory shit are stressful enough.    

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   I had my eye on a roadside attraction in Mullinville, KS, but finding something to eat on the way there was a priority.  Hadn’t seen any sign of a restaurant through several little towns but, lo and behold! there on the corner of a building in Mullinville was a sign that said “Café 3 blocks” with an arrow pointing to the left. Not ones to pass up small town café cooking, we went looking for it.  It was 1:54 pm and a sign on the door said they were open until 2 today.  But the waitress waved us in, assuring us that it was okay, she’d be happy to serve us. Ordered, ate and as we were finishing a trucker walked in, also realizing that it was past closing time. She told him that if he ordered something quick and simple, she’d cook it up.  Is a cheeseburger with the works quick enough?  Yes, it was and as we were walking out, he was eagerly awaiting his food, an hour after closing time. I hope he left a handsome tip.

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   Bellies full, we were now on the lookout for the M.T. Liggett Art Environment, as it’s now officially called.  Roadside America listed it as “Political Art of M.T. Liggett”.  The Kohler Foundation is currently underwriting the cataloging and restoring of M.T.’s art, over 1000 pieces. Found this on their website:   His 70-plus acre roadside property is home to as many as 600 small and large metal totems lampooning politicians; local, state and national officials; international figures; or anyone who caught his critical eye. The pieces are smart, witty, often biting, and many times humorous. It has been said he was an equal opportunity offender. His work includes references to Greek mythology, numerous former wives, friends, politicians, and acquaintances. 

   While I enjoyed the brief history told to us by a volunteer at the visitor’s center and reading the displays contained therein, I must say I don’t understand his humor, if that’s the right word.  And I don’t understand his need to antagonize and ridicule.  But based on everything I read about him, it wouldn't matter to him whether I get it or not; his legacy stands along the highway in Mullinville, KS, for all to see.

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   Stopped at Dalhart, TX, for the night.  The weather has been great…no wind, so much sunshine and the temperature is on the rise.  Looking forward to landing in Picacho.