Well I must say that it has been an enjoyable experience to take a little time off!

That said…..I called an 85 yr old relative today who has suffered 2 knee replacements and needs a cane to assist in walking. He can’t move his arms above chest high, due to problems in the shoulders as well. It is getting to be that time of year around ‘My Town USA’, for summer and lots of traffic along with frayed nerves and frustrated travelers.

For my relative this will include at least 3-5 “road-rage” episodes (based on past seasonal averages). 99% avoidable, but he loves to respond to a fellow “rager” even if he didn’t “flip-out first”. The thrill of it all I suppose?

Over the weekend I had recalled his many entertaining stories of “road rage” conforntations, relishing all the details. I find them quite enjoyable.

My mind drifted to his safety this summer, so I dialed him up and asked him if he still was using his shaved-down pool cue handle as his first line of offense, reminding him of “road rage season’s” onset. He told me “oh yeah it’s always ready”. I smiled quietly because I know that he couldn’t use it on the neighbor’s dog anymore, let alone one or more infuriated men in fairly decent physical condition.

After much chatting and cajoling, I was able to convince him to use a cannister of Police Model – Mace Pepper spray. I prevailed, I think, in convincing him that his “pool cue” days were long past and that it was time for an upgrade.

I will be dropping his new “side-kick” off tomorrow. So, as a public service announcement to any of you guys who may run up on a little, old, white haired man and begin your mutual, vulgar, “Road Rage” dialogue between cars, REMEMBER……that old man may just give you a mouth full of Mace when you thrust your angry face up to his car window and start talking smack!

A real eye-closing experience – I’m sure. Cheers!