The Rules of the Road

My Rules

As I exited the grocery store, I noticed an SUV had courteously stopped for the woman walking in front of me. I wondered, “Would he extend the same courtesy to me?”

Not so lucky.

 He was only willing to stop for one person. I didn’t take it personally. The reason I didn’t take it personally is because I do the same thing. For me, it’s when several cars are trying to merge from a shopping center back onto the main road.

 I usually allow one car to merge in front of me. It makes me feel like a good person. Maybe this person will pay it forward. But let the second car try to squeeze in…I consider this butting in. It’s against the rules. 

I guess I’m not such a good person after all. The truth is, I have rules…one car only. The second car provokes road rage. But, sometimes, when I’m feeling uncharacteristically generous, I let the second car in.

Another phenomenon involves my turn signal. In my high school driver’s training class, I was taught to put on my blinker before I turned or changed lanes. This seemed reasonable. But, in Florida, very few drivers follow this rule. I‘ve learned not to put on my blinker because I know the moment I do, the car behind me will “floor it” so I can’t change lanes. 

Is this diabolical or what? Either they didn’t take driver’s training, are extremely old, or have something against Hondas. 

Let’s Move On

Now, on a completely different subject, I noticed something interesting today. I guess you’re never too old to learn something new or get a different perspective. When I was in college, I took a course on WWII. During class one day, he played the music of that era. The piece he chose was by Wagner. I was entranced. I had to have that album, so I ran to the student union bookstore directly after class. However, while I was looking for Wagner, the bookstore was playing the most beautiful song…so beautiful, it stopped me in my tracks. Instantly, for me, it was “Goodbye Wagner, Hello Elton John”. I absolutely loved the song. In fact, it was called “My Song”.

Fast-forward to today. I heard the same song on the radio, but this time it was sung by a man and woman…not Elton John. I quickly realized it wasn’t the song I loved as much as Elton John’s voice and style. 

I guess I’m right…you’re never too old to learn something new or get a different perspective.

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Awesome Combinations

The Miracle of Music

I have a question. I wonder why, with only seven notes on a musical scale, so much music has been created. Yes, I need to include the black keys, representing the flats or sharps, and the major and minor keys. Actually, I’ve read that there are 240 notes in all, but this is nothing compared to the number of songs created since the beginning of time, which, according to Google, is 82,500,000,000,000,000,000. I’ve been listening to music for many years, and never heard a song that was exactly like another. It seems infinitesimal!

The Alphabet

To add to that, just consider the letters of the alphabet. There are 26 at last count. How many bazillions of combinations of these letters make up language, and I’m just thinking about English. These combinations are arranged in such a way, or order, that many thousands, or even millions of words, with differing meanings take form.

It’s like the Scrabble game that never ends!

Your Body

If that’s not enough, think about your body. You have 46 different chromosomes that comprise your DNA. That’s 23 sets. 

These chromosomes make up your genetic footprint, which influences your total makeup including how you look, how you act, your talents, as well as your vulnerability to disease. It runs the gamut. 

Some things you can change…some you can’t. You can alter your environment via your lifestyle, but you come into the world as unique as your fingerprints. Yes, maybe you have a doppelganger floating around somewhere on the planet, but it’s still not you!

Another question…how is it that everyone on Earth has a unique fingerprint signature?

Did Einstein have the answer?

Are we living in the Matrix? 

I know virtual reality can simulate almost any fantasy, but there are limits to what the mind can conceive or believe…at least in my mind.

There must be a higher intelligence, a Higher Power.

 In my world, I call that God.

War

Because of the Wars currently occurring on our planet, coupled by the constant threats of War, I’ve decided to share a poem I wrote in high school. At that time, we were living through the Cold War period. This poem reflects my thoughts at the time. That was then, but over the years, my feelings haven’t changed. From the time of recorded history, there’s always been conflict. It is my fervent prayer that someday war will simply be an anachronism, and we’ll finally live in peace.

                     War 

There’s always been, historically

War and strife and poverty.

But of the three, the one most sure

To regularly re-occur

Is war.

War seems pointless, I’ll admit,

“Load the cannon, score a hit”,

But where would our great nation be,

(Eating crumpets, sipping tea), 

If our forefathers hadn’t fought

So bravely for our liberty.

What if Lincoln had decided 

“Let the nation stay divided”

And Civil War had not begun?

We’d be two nations ‘stead of one.

And what if Hitler, on the Rhine, 

Who threatened “I’ll make Europe mine!”

Had been allowed to use his clout?

We might be eating sauerkraut!

Though war’s a vile and hideous thing,

With tanks, grenades, maneuvering,

There comes a time one needs to fight

For what he knows, and feels is right.

And yet, I’d certainly rejoice 

If we could find a better choice,

To view each person as a brother

Rather than to kill each other.

                               Terry Trower

                                Circa 1965