21 Comments
User's avatar
John Stuckey's avatar

I sure hope the trying is what matters 'cause it ain't easy.

Marty D. Snow's avatar

No, it's not, John. Thanks for reading!

Jim Cummings's avatar

I can certainly relate, Marty. My wife says I seem to be on a mission to educate "unaware" drivers. I didn't drive today so I haven't honked my horn once or yelled anything I might regret. One day at a time, as they say.

Marty D. Snow's avatar

Someone's got to do it, Jim. There's always tomorrow. Thank you for reading.

MJ Polk's avatar

Words carry weight, even when spoken internally. No worries 🙏

Marty D. Snow's avatar

You're right, MJ. Thanks for reading.

Mike Toomey's avatar

Good stuff

Marty D. Snow's avatar

Thank you, Mike, and thanks for reading.

Sue Cauhape's avatar

This was a kick to read. The deer hunter blew my mind. Just how close to your house was he and who ... or never mind. And then the soccer league prez. What does that mean anyway? Did his degrees get him that job? Let's see, he probably had a BA in Physical Education, Sports Physiology, Sports Training, and Exercise Physiology. Yeah, I guess he qualiifies. And Sunshine, I can understand why that triggered all the fine fifteen words in our vocabularies. I've been known to to spout like a sailor. In my more religious moments, I invoke Jesus several times a day.

Marty D. Snow's avatar

Less than 50 yards... Soccer guy was a strange one. Yep, sometimes, it takes a little sailor-talk to settle the situation. Thanks for reading, Sue.

Paul D'Arcy's avatar

Nicely done! ….ya weirdo 😉

Marty D. Snow's avatar

What can I say? I am what I am. Thanks Paul, and thanks for reading.

Indianfire (Tim)'s avatar

"Her calm demeanor warmed my troubled days like the sun’s beaming rays."

I am going with the Sunshine comment was your mom trying to shine through you at that moment 😀

Thank you so much for such a wonderful piece!

Marty D. Snow's avatar

Thanks Indianfire (Tim), and thanks for reading. Such a nice observation, I'm gonna go with that too.

K.C. Knouse's avatar

That was a fun reflection on the use of words, Marty. I tend to take spoken words literally which gets me into trouble with my wife all the time. I know a guy who is always "mentioning" his five college degrees. He has never revealed what they are.

Marty D. Snow's avatar

Thanks, K.C.! I'm the same with words. I tend to think most people can figure out whether you are educated or not, without mentioning it ad nauseam. Not sure educated and intelligent always go hand-in-hand.

K.C. Knouse's avatar

Yeah, educated and intelligent don't always go hand-in-hand.

Parker McCoy's avatar

It's kind of funny, really. We can tell unaware people about the things they are unaware of and most likely, they'll continue on, as if we'd said nothing at all. I try to just be grateful for what I have and not expect much of the world. Hehe. Not that I won't shout at drivers when they do stupid things but even in doing so, I don't expect it to change a thing. With the seven-degree guy, I think a good response would be to say, "I hated college" and walk away. Ha. Just like your mother's wise words, the short, quick responses hit the hardest. Great post, Marty.

Marty D. Snow's avatar

That’s true, being grateful is one of the major keys to life. And yes, that would have been the perfect response. Thanks Parker.

Jesse Gleim Writer's avatar

Haha I've had that "who can be meaner" argument verbatim with a few ex-girlfriends. Don't poke the bear . . . And my own neighbor last year wanted to shoot the couple of white tail deer that visit our yards and, considering I like animals more than most people, frankly, I was not happy about that. He never did shoot them, thankfully. This was another wonderful meditation Marty!

Marty D. Snow's avatar

Ah, thank you very much Jesse! I’m with you on the animals over people. Don’t poke the bear is right. Thanks for reading JG.