Monday, August 22, 2011

look at everything you're missing...

i like our holidays in the Silver Fox.  Everyone is strapped safely into their seat - i am settled comfortably into my co-pilot chair and we drive for hours - enjoying a break from the every day...
i'm not one of those people who can't "just sit there"... i could "just sit there" for hours and hours - letting my mind wander happily - mulling ideas, plans and memories...
Neil is always behind wheel, and i - owing the world nothing - am free to do whatever i please. 
On this trip, i was finishing off the final chapters of Dickens' _David Copperfield_ (hilarious).  Every once in awhile, i'd laugh and Neil would question, "What's so funny?" & i'd try to read it aloud, but the humour would be lost on him - having been built into the character chapters before.  Finally, i'd sigh, "Nevermind"... and keep reading. 
Neil - bored - turns up the music... taps the wheel... sings along.  He asks me questions, but receiving no more than the required grunt of an answer, he exclaims in frustration... "Babe - here we are, driving across the beautiful countryside, and you're missing everything!!!  You've just got your nose in a book and i don't have anyone to enjoy this amazing scenery with!"
Chastened, i put my book away and look out my window. 
We are surrounded by huge mounds of dirt - and road construction crews. 
"Lookit all this!"  He exclaims, "Can you believe all the work they're getting done?  It's amazing to watch what these machines can do... and you'd just miss it all with your stupid book!"
He crows his enjoyment over the "scenery" - and i try to decide if he's teasing me... or if i'll ever see the wonder in the mighty machines pushing dirt around. 
He grins at me, and resumes his silence. 
i look at him blankly...
And get back to Mr. Micawber. 

8 comments:

jessica jespersen said...

Mr Micawber rocks hilariously.

Kari Jeanne said...

Scott & I travel just like you two - him silently driving, me with my nose stuck in a book!

Vanessa said...

LOL!!

Leroy always mentions how I'm missing the scenery too, (although he's never done it at a construction site!! :) )

My reply is "as long as I'm knitting, I'm not commenting on your driving!!" (he's a great driver, but he still scares me sometimes, and having my knitting to focus on really helps-not to mention, it's not often all my children are tied down in their seats and I get treated to some unbroken knitting time!!)

Sara L said...

HA! I laughed out loud while I read your post!!! This is *totally* what happens with us too! I love to travel and to me, it's the perfect time to read, because I don't feel the least bit guilty about what I'm not getting done at home! I always feel a little ripped off when Larry wants me to ' enjoy the scenery with him' lol

ps- I've commented on several other posts... but never finished and they got deleted!

Mindy said...

Way too funny! My dad used to get grumpy with me when I preferred to read my book instead of admiring the scenery as we drove through the Colorado Rockies...

paige said...

There *is* a lot of beauty to miss :) But sometimes, it's a price i'm willing to pay.
Sara - i love your comments - post them half done! haha.

Sara L said...

Yeah I always have so many great thoughts I wa

Sara L said...

ha!

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