This morning Pam and I were driving to Longview in her black VW bug for a writers’ critique meeting. We hit a wet patch on the highway going about 65 mph. The car hydroplaned, drifting toward the center lane. Then it started spinning.
I held on and watched traffic on both sides of the highway flash by as Pam jerked the wheel hard right to try to break the spin. In those moments I knew we could die. I waited for the crunch of metal against metal. I braced against a sudden jolt.
But no jolt came. We spun to a stop, still in the center lane, facing almost the same direction we’d been traveling.
Pam was breathing hard. I turned to her and said, “You handled that great. How did you know what to do?”
“My dad made me practice correcting a spin before he would let me get my license.”
That was more than thirty years ago.
We started tentatively down the road again, thanking God for the mercy to live another day.
When we turned onto our critique leader’s street we saw black smoke billowing into the sky. Writers are always observant to detail, so I commented, “Something’s on fire.”
It was a wooden out-building across the street from our destination, which had apparently just burst into flames moments before our arrival. Several neighbors were running around frantically trying to make sure the owner’s dogs weren’t penned nearby.
We stood outside and watched it burn to the ground before the volunteer fire department truck showed up.
Critique group went well.
How was your day?
Glad you didn’t get crushed…or burned up.
Is that Vickie’s group you’re going to? If so, ask her if she remembers me and tell her I said “hi.”
Glad you didn’t get crushed…or burned up.
Is that Vickie’s group you’re going to? If so, ask her if she remembers me and tell her I said “hi.”
How kind of you! I’m glad as well.
Yes, it’s Vickie’s group. I will deliver your message. Did you know I’m twenty-three chapters/almost 200 pages into writing a novel?
I answered your “threat” over at MA, sweetums.
♥ EZ
How kind of you! I’m glad as well.
Yes, it’s Vickie’s group. I will deliver your message. Did you know I’m twenty-three chapters/almost 200 pages into writing a novel?
I answered your “threat” over at MA, sweetums.
♥ EZ
good to know
I always thought you were supposed to just give the wheel some “play” and not jerk it either way, causing more spin or a flip. Glad to know the real deal.
good to know
I always thought you were supposed to just give the wheel some “play” and not jerk it either way, causing more spin or a flip. Glad to know the real deal.
Re: good to know
Actually, I’m not sure it’s the “real deal.” But that’s what she did, and we survived, so I assumed it was the right thing.
How are you feeling?
♥
Re: good to know
Actually, I’m not sure it’s the “real deal.” But that’s what she did, and we survived, so I assumed it was the right thing.
How are you feeling?
♥
I saw someone do the same thing on the way to Denton on the same day. Scary.
Jesse
I saw someone do the same thing on the way to Denton on the same day. Scary.
Jesse
life can be amazing sometimes
You have reminded me of a time when I was travelling to Uni and I drove up the freeway at peak hour and turned the wrong way into oncoming traffic. When I looked up there were five lanes of traffic all heading for me but all travelling in five straight lines at the same speed as one another. It gave me time to reverse back on to the free way and go the right way. I couldn’t believe the way it worked out. So I know how you felt on that day. Weird aint it?
The lesson for me may have been
‘the key is not so much to pick the right path but to look up and realize its the wrong path in time OR make sure you have your funeral prepaid
Glen
life can be amazing sometimes
You have reminded me of a time when I was travelling to Uni and I drove up the freeway at peak hour and turned the wrong way into oncoming traffic. When I looked up there were five lanes of traffic all heading for me but all travelling in five straight lines at the same speed as one another. It gave me time to reverse back on to the free way and go the right way. I couldn’t believe the way it worked out. So I know how you felt on that day. Weird aint it?
The lesson for me may have been
‘the key is not so much to pick the right path but to look up and realize its the wrong path in time OR make sure you have your funeral prepaid
Glen
Yes. Scary.
Yes. Scary.
Re: life can be amazing sometimes
“make sure you have your funeral prepaid.”
Ha ha! Good point.
Re: life can be amazing sometimes
“make sure you have your funeral prepaid.”
Ha ha! Good point.
So Scary.
So Scary.
Yes.
Yes.