Thursday, April 19, 2007

ONLY IN THE SOUTH....

Recently I went to a luncheon at a lovely establishment about 15 miles from my home. Now I live in a smallish town...but this is what we would call "out in the country." It was a beautiful day, and I enjoyed my short trip there. When I was going through the even smaller town where this luncheon was to be held, I had to cross a set of railroad tracks. As I approached, I noticed the crossing bars were down and the lights were flashing. The train was not moving, but I had plenty of time, so I didn't mind the wait. Looking around, I noticed a run down gas station on one side of me and a convenience store on the other. In a few minutes a young man with a large drink, a bag of chips and a sandwich came out of the convenience store. He walked past my car and motioned for me to go around the bars and go on across the tracks. Now I am a fairly intelligent woman, even though I admit that there are some mysteries about this world that leave me puzzled. But this I do know...when the bars are down and the lights are flashing at a railroad crossing....you do NOT cross the tracks. So, I smiled and nodded and stayed right where I was. I mean did this dude think I was some sort of imbecile who would take his word and cross the tracks? And why was he telling me this anyway? Like I would believe some stranger in dirty clothes who ate his lunch at the Zippy-Mart. No, thank you...I'll sit right here and wait like I was taught to do long, long ago in drivers ed and in countless reminders by my parents. So, I sat...and watched... Imagine my surprise when this man strode up to the train, swung himself up into the front, gave 3 toots on the whistle, and took off down the tracks! And ...he waved and tipped his hat as he passed my car.

12 comments:

Jean said...

That is SO funny!! Sometimes we're just too intelligent!

Tracey said...

that is too funny! You're right, only in the South! Betcha wish you had taken him up on it, huh? But you were right to wait!

Gary always says, "what were the famous last words of a redneck?"

"Hey ya'll, watch this!"

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

That's too cute, Tonja! No wonder he was so adamant about telling you to go. You were right to wait, though. Too many accidents at train crossings.
Tracey, we love that one too! LOL It's SO true!

Rhoda
Southern Hospitality

Dianne said...

That is hilarious...sounds like something that would happen to me!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely - something that would only happen in the South!

Southern Heart said...

That was so funny! Thanks for the giggle today. :)

Have a good weekend,

Andrea

Leah Belle said...

hilarious! made me grin. thanks for sharing!

Deedra said...

That is hilarious! The scary part is, the dirty man getting his lunch at the zippy mart was DRIVING the train! That alone makes me want to wait at the railroad crossings!

Justabeachkat said...

Wow...love this post...I can just picture it in my mind. So funny. Only in the south.

Lori said...

Oh my goodness that is the funniest thing I have read in a while. Came here from Nspiredbyfaith

Anonymous said...

Absolutely delightful... I am smilin'. Thank you so much. I will be back for more.

Changed by His Love said...

Here from NSpired by Faith...
I can only imagine that...and I completely would have thought I was on some video show...thinking, "Did that really just happen?"