Kearney, NE

Boy, I have landed smack dab in the middle of Humidville, USA. There is no way that I miss this. To add insult to intolerability, the Ramada Inn of Kearney (CH says it is pronounced Carnee), NE has an indoor pool. Not a separate room for the pool, but a pool with hotel rooms around the perimeter. I might as well be in the rainforest. ;0 It is muggy!!

Thankfully, the ac was blasting a subzero breeze as I entered my room. So... the hair is up, the air is down and I can go to sleep imagining I am in the midst of a mountain breeze blowing through an open window. Even the sound of the ac unit is reminiscent of my neighbor's unit which lulls me to sleep each night.

The trip from home to here was almost uneventful. While enjoying the plains and singing to Rich Mullens, a glance in the rearview mirror revealed the approach of an eager visitor. It seems I got so caught up in my song that I let my foot get away from me. The nice officer had to write me up. His articulation, not mine. Now I get to figure out the Colorado system for such gifts. The officer shared that I only had two options. Pay or go to court. He did not recognize the term "defensive driving."

I could have gotten really aggravated. I could have, but the tears were kept at bay and the officer was not privy to the wrath of Laurel's barbed tongue. He and two other highway patrol officers were tag teaming and making a lucrative profit for the state. Do you think the economy has anything to do with this effort? It was as if they were swatting down pesky mosquitos. After easing off the shoulder to return to the "not so open" road, I passed two other patrol cars encouraging vehicles off the highway. Then the gentleman who shared his autograph with me kicked it into high gear and located his next meal. I was in the midst of a Sterling, CO spider web that was guarded by three determined black widows. This trip will be more costly than I imagined. =)

Guess God is already telling me to slow down and be. I wasn't in a hurry. I didn't feel pressed to get to my destination in record time. But, I was observing and thinking and praising my way right into a speeding ticket.

I am well. My room is almost as dry as the Springs. The mirror frames images of two beds inviting me to slumber. Time to accept. Tomorrow, Coralville, Iowa without the added cost of feeding a police force. Wish I had taken the lead out of my shoe prior to leaving home.

Laurel