Overloaded ATVs and Wild Flowers
Last night I had to go to the store, so I had my nephew come keep an eye on things in case dad needed anything. I really hated to do it, since he is sick, but he was the only one in the family that will actually come and hang out with his grandfather whenever I need help. I just have to hope now that he has not given his grandfather his cold.
So, I went out and picked up the needed dog food and groceries. As I was strapping everything onto the ATV in the parking lot of the local Wal Mart a nice gal paused and talked to me, delightful conversation that just kind of meandered and filled time as I was getting the things on the ATV. I suspect she just wanted to see if I really could fit all of that on that little ATV. The shopping cart was *FULL*, plus a 44 pound bag of dog food and 24 pack of toilet paper on the bottom deal by the wheels. I got it all onto the ATV, however, using two boxes I had picked up from inside to create a carry space on the front rack, two boxes of soda (one of them being my babysitter payment) sat between the matching card board boxes, creating a space where the bread could ride without risk of getting squished. I then bungee corded everything in place. The dog food went on the back rack, the toilet paper side-by-side with a full-sized backpack that held several bags loaded with groceries and my purse and a month’s supply of Kleenex for my dad.
I got a lot of long sideways looks, but what are ya going to do when your only transportation is a small Honda Rancher? Yes, I have a van, but the thing has a busted headlight, the speedometer does not work and it has not been road tested. Until I can crawl under it and repair the speedometer cable I can’t even take it up to the store because I won’t know if it’s going 30 or 60 – well… I could guess on that, but I wouldn’t be sure if it was going 55 or 60 in a 55 mph zone, and I sure as heck can not afford a speeding ticket at the moment.
So, I took the ATV to the store. Stopped off on the way home when I spied a bunch of wild growing daises and picked a few that were growing behind bushes were no one would even see them. I then added in some fireweed and vetch and a few bluebells. Dad just absolutely adored the bouquet I brought him for the 4th of July and wants me to get some daisies and bluebells planted out in the yard.
We had daisies before, but they were killed when the area they were growing got plowed over by a bulldozer at one point over the years. Mom’d always wanted to replant them, so maybe me and dad can get that done if we’re here in the spring next year. I’ll see if I can still get some planted this year, of course, but am not going to hold my breath on it.