Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Mud, Mud, And More Mud…

Meanwhile, back at the ranch… remember when I said it was going to get worse before it got better? I walked around on the plantation until I could get out on my cell phone and called AAA.  I have been a member of AAA since 1969 and when they offered the 100 mile tow plan for $75.oo a year I jumped on it.  The thing is I usually drive ‘pre-owned’ cars and for all the times I’ve had problems and had to be towed in AAA has lost money on me, but they keep sending me renewal forms and I keep getting the higher level option.  So I didn’t expect any problems… the operative word here is ‘expect’.  When I got the operator I told her that my U-haul was stuck in the mud and I needed them to send someone to pull me out.  “I’m sorry, ma’am, but we don’t tow U-Haul, you will have to deal with them… plus we don’t tow anything over a one ton vehicle”.  Well, shit to damn death…

Jonathan, my great little helper, said, “my uncle’s truck is less than a one ton”.  I thought about it and hit re-dial. And got the same operator.  I told her that I understood about them not doing anything about the U-Haul, but my pick-up was less than a ton and they could send someone out to help with that part.  “Okay, ma’am, someone will be out to assist you in about 45 minutes”.  Damn it makes me feel old when someone calls me ma’am…

In about 20 minutes the tow truck driver called to make sure he understood where we were out here in BFE.  He said, “Hi, this is Pops (I kid you not) and wanted to double check where you were…”  I explained where we were and he said, “Hell, I used to live around the corner from where you are… I’ll see you in about 15 minutes…”  Thank you, Lord.  I finally was getting some relief from this mud hell. Sure enough, he pulled in the gate, parked his truck, got out, looked over the ‘siciashun’, took off his hat and scratched his mostly bald head and gave me a gum only grin and said “y’all got in a little deep did ja?”  We got to talking and Pops was the same fellow that delivered our driveway gravel about 6 months before… his little granddaughter was his helper.   I said Pops, I know y’all aren’t supposed to do anything with that  U-Haul, but I’ve got forty bucks in my pocket that can slip into yours if you’d slip a cable on that truck and pull it back about 20 feet… I don’t want you doing anything you’re not okay with,  so whatever you decide is good with me…

I went in the house for a visit to  the bladderatorium and when I came back out that dang truck was back on solid ground…  I went over to Pops, gave him a big hug and slipped the two twenties in his overall chest pocket and gave him a pat.  He just grinned and said “I never saw a thing”.

There are angels among us.

I’ll wind this up tomorrow… Gosh it’s good to be spinning the yarns again.

10 comments:

hetty said...

Gotta love your yarns! I realize I'm commenting on this post first. I have read the others. I'm just working backwards. And I wanted to be first!

Dusty Devoe said...

We have triple AAA too and is sure does come in handy!

Roslyn said...

Hooray for Angels, Helen! So happy you are out of the mud!

Laura ~Peach~ said...

wow what a mud mess... gotta love pops!

Caution/Lisa said...

I love Pops (but I would have loved him more if he had slipped at least one of the 20's back into YOUR pocket.)

Brenda S Okie in Colorado said...

Here's to toof-less grins!!!

Lisa said...

And so good to catch up again with you. Sorry I have been away a bit, but it was good to chat the other day with you. Aren't you glad we still have Angels? I know I need them now and again!

Reddirt Woman said...

Hetty I'm glad you are enjoying my tale... and every word is true, flowered up a little sometimes, but true.

Dusty AAA has been one of the best investments I've ever made. They've been there for every thing from bringing me gas to changing a tire to hauling me home out in the country and dropping off a trailer when Bro was moving and my pickup died and then driving my pickup to my mechanic in Norman. All the drivers that I've met over the years have all been so helpful.

Ros I'm happy to be out of the mud, too. Now when it rains I'll be where there are paved roads.

Pops got an extra star in his crown the other night as far as I'm concerned, Laura.

Caution we figured U-Haul would have charged at least $100.00 and I know enough about Pops to know he appreciated what little I could slip in his overalls. Among other things he and his wife are raising their granddaughter because of her parents being not very good people. I wouldn't have minded him slipping me a 20 back but I sure don't feel bad about him not doing it either.

Amen, Brenda!

Lisa we will get caught up. Soon.

Twisted Fencepost said...

Brenda's comment cracked me up! I second that!
I love how you worked "around" AAA and got the job done.

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(Posted on FFBrows for R4i Nintendo DS.)