Hindsight Humor

Best bike ... Covers the miles

Sometimes Funny requires time-space—
Moving away from the awkward place.
Time shows the humor,
Like a late-bloomer.
Passing time can bring a funny grace.

Want to hear a funny story?

I’m going to tell you—in just a minute.

This week definitely demonstrates that
Little bits, consistently put into place
Move one "on-down the path,”
Whatever the path is.

My stationary-biked-miles total
This week? Sixty miles.
No spectacularly long mileage day,
Just consistently showing up to pedal.

On the imaginary trip I'm
Taking with these currently pedaled miles ....
I got to St James, MN.

I'm sure that St James was in mind
Because of my real biking trip in 2006.
We spent one night in St James campground.

In July of 2006, I was biking to my
50th High School Reunion in
Cheyenne, Wyoming. My husband, Bob,
Was my SAG  (Support And Gear) person.
Driving our car, managing food,
Figuring out lodging.

We'd decided to carry camping gear,
Camping as often as possible to save money.
Neither of us like to camp.
We were being frugal.

In St. James, Bob found the City Park
Had campsites. We set up there.
Struggling with tent poles,
Melting in late afternoon heat.

Campground and playground
Completely empty when arrived,
And was staying that way.

Two shabby small restroom buildings,
One each, men and women.
Within walking distance of playground.

Like park restrooms can be—
Brutally hot interiors in summertime.
Amazingly, these each had a shower.

Bob decided to shower before supper.
Day had been too hot, a bit too long,
Too tiring, already seeming too hard.
Showering might be restorative.

Twenty minutes after Bob's
Heading to Men's outbuilding,
Car pulled in at playground.
Doors opened,
Out tumbled four kids and Mom.

I heard the little boy—about 8 years—
Yell to his Mom, “I’m going to the bathroom.”
Little boy sprinted from the
Swingset to bathroom. Just moments later,
Little boy came screeching out.

"Mama, Mama!... there is a
Skinny Old Man in there.
He’s climbing out of the shower.
And he is NAKED!”

Mom was shocked.
Grabbed up her other three children,
Ran with the four kids to their car,
Took off ... tires screeching.

Another five minutes,
Bob walked out, fully clothed, asking,
"Did you see a little boy run by? I think
He was surprised to find me in the restroom."

I could imagine that kid's horror …
Skinny old guy, stitch-stark naked,
Appearing from the shower stall.

Totally unexpected encounter.

Eventually this was a funny story.
Hindsight can do that.
At the time, we weren’t laughing.
That little boy had been really scared.

As it turned out, that was the only
Camping time on our MN -> WY trip.
Days were so hot, all the way to Cheyenne.
We opted for a motel at end of each biking day.

Always talked camping first,
But decided really resting was priceless.

May you find your journey progressing
One little bit at a time.
Maybe you'll find your own hindsight humor.

Hugs,
Lin