February 2005                                                                         The Megaphone                                                                                  Page 5

Take The Highway

by Louise (Mountcastle) Romine

Well, I wasn't going to say anything, but I better, so every one else will not take snow-plowed roads for granted. Even 30 mph was much too fast on Division Road today.  

On my way to church this morning about 8:30, I had just crossed 213 and was "truckin'" along just fine, when all at once the rear end slid a little to the side . . . I really thought I could pull out of it OK, turning the wheels in the same direction as I was sliding in . . . but all at once my truck was going back and forth . . . as though some big hand had a hold of my truck like it was a toy . . . and it didn't matter anymore that I was turning my wheels in the same direction I was sliding in. I was screaming for Jesus to help me and as I slid off the road just missing a telephone pole and snow flying across my windshield in coordination to a sudden stop. #1) Learned a lesson here: don't drive past 20 mph whether you got those good snow tires on your auto or not, especially if you haven't driven on them since last winter, and don't have 4-wheel drive.

For a moment I sat there in disbelief that this had just happened to me . . . but at the same time being ever-so-thankful . . . I missed that pole!! Oh, but now I had another dilemma . . . I had to get out of this mess . . . and rocking back and forth to get a good run to drive back out did not help at all. (I didn't know that my rear tire was flat and the front was about half flat too . . . both on the drivers side). Folks . . . I had just learned lesson # 2 in just a short span . . . Keep a shovel in the truck!  You never know who may need it's help.

Keeping my composure, I got out and checked to see how much "deep do-do," I mean snow I was in and knew I had to go for help. So off I went . . . [man, was it slick]  and the nearest farm house was about 100ft. up the road, but LOOK here comes a big white truck. Two people and they drove right by me . . . little did I know he was trying to stop! They backed up and asked me if I was ok and of course I was crying BIG tears by now, and man said ever so kindly, "You'll be OK," but he didn't have anything to pull me out with. His wife had a cell phone and it was so good to hear Monte's sleepy voice as he said, "I'll be right there." They had me set in their truck till he got there. These "Good Samaritans" were gonna be late for church in Windfall because they were helping a lady in distress! Lesson # 3: Keep a reliable tow thingy in your auto . . . you never know who will need its help!

Division Rd was so slick, Monte's 4-wheel drive truck was not heavy enough to get the traction he needed to pull me out. Fortunately the man in the white truck had waited to make sure of it and then got into position to pull me out.  I had to "givver the gas" to help out and in a few secs, my truck was . . . "on the road again." Poor Monte and my grandson David came to my rescue in a truck with no heat. David rode with me to get his feet warm and Monte just says "It'll be alright . . . I'll be there when you need me." That's the way he's always been. . . he's such a good son-in-law!! My 4th and last lesson in this episode is: With the least little doubt, leave the side roads out!

Be smarter than I was . . . take the Highway!!
Louise (Mountcastle) Romine '56
Elwood, IN

All  I Need To Know About Life . . . I Learned From A Snowman

It's okay if you're a little bottom heavy.

Hold your ground, even when the heat is on.

Wearing white is ALWAYS appropriate.

Winter is the best of the four seasons.

It takes a few extra rolls to make a good midsection.

There's nothing better than a foul weather friend.

The key to life is to be a jolly, happy soul.

We're all made up of mostly water.

You know you've made it when they write a song about you. 

Accessorize! Accessorize! Accessorize!

Don't get too much sun.

Don't put someone else's corncob pipe in your mouth -- you never know where it's been.

It's fun to hang out in your front yard.

There's no stopping you once you're on a roll.

Enjoy the holidays before they melt away !

Submitted by . . .

Penny (Romine) Faulkenberry '82