Reflections on Carpet-Bagging
This month is my seventh “carpet-bagging” anniversary.
Seven years ago this month, I moved down here from the North Suburbs of Chicago. Love was in the air and so were the crop-dusters. And, to make things worse, my car’s air-conditioning was broken. What a hellish ride that was! I shipped most of my stuff, but I loaded my precious computer into the back of my Tracker, piled clothes on it, and got my future ex-wife settled in next to me, then headed off at break-neck speed.
Until we hit traffic going through Chicago, that is. It was dark by the time we stopped somewhere outside of Nashville. We stayed at a little “NoTell Motel” that the AAA guide had given three stars. All I can say was, I was glad I brought my own toilet-paper, just in case. (A little advice from your Uncle Jim, kids, always bring an emergency roll of toilet paper for long trips. Always!) We got an early start the next day, but both of us were having trouble with the heat and the cropdusters by then. I did most of the driving, because I felt, at the time, that I was in marginally better shape to drive. Of course, that was sorely tested when I almost rear-ended a car that faded into the background when I got mesmerized by the road.
That was all before I got my precious Hilda, thankfully, because I cannot imagine making that drive with animals. It was pretty horrific. Hmm, maybe that was a warning of things to come… Ah, well, hindsight is 20/20, they say. Back in those days, I used to describe myself as a “damn Yankee carpet-bagger, come to steal your money and your women”. At the time, it was accurate! But, somewhere in there, I changed. I became a Texan. I became a Houstonian. Now, I can never leave. Where else could I live this well for this little money? Well, and still live in America.
Obviously, things have changed in those seven years. A lot of things have changed. Some for the better, like finding my dog, and some for the worse… But, no matter the changes, I just keep on going. I wonder what will change in the next seven years? I’m not sure, but I look forward to finding out!
Advice from your Uncle Jim:
"You may give out, but never give up."
--Mary Crowley
