My "prom" date was the prom queen and I was crazy about her. Telling her I would drive her to the prom after my driver's test was quite the gamble indeed.
I love the overall story, Julie B. Well, not that you failed your first driving test. Your alternating voice, you, then to the guy, back to you was well done.
Driver’s Ed was mandatory in high school. A faculty member both conducted classroom sessions as well as our actual driving time. We had to obtain a learner’s permit to operate a car under supervision by an adult. Today’s emphasis on liability would not have allowed what we did. Four to the car - two in the back seat, instructor in the passenger seat (with a braking lever, no steering wheel), and a student driving. The school parking lot to start, then quickly out onto rural public roads.
The day before my first public road driving, the instructor advised, “There’s a program on tv tonight that covers a variety of problematic driving occurrences. Please watch it.” Yup. I did. About two miles into my first drive, as I approached a sharp ascending right curve a loaded logging truck coming the other way was completely in my lane!! I braked abruptly and got as far to the right as I could go without overturning the car on a steep embankment. The truck cleared us by a few feet. Putting the car in park I sat motionless. The instructor stated, “You must have watched the show last night?!” Indeed, as that was exactly one scenario that was shown and discussed. My Adrenalin was coursing. The instructor asked if I wanted to continue driving. I replied, “Not today.” Hurray for brave moms!
Yes, classmates were in the back seat. As that happened in 1965 I’m not sure the car even had seat belts. Thanks for asking about Beth. Her aunt on her father’s side had been in hospice for a while and passed away Monday evening. Resulting in new grief and stirring the old. She’s started Tai Chi and so far likes the fluidity of the movements. A settling practice?! All the best to you and your family.
Oh my goodness, this brought up memories for me in the backseat of my grandparent's care (we called it the boat) and all of us cousins crammed in the back with no seatbelts. Glad all turned out well.
I'm sending my condolences to Beth and Tai Chi sounds like a great practice.
Thanks, Julie B. Hughes. I’ll make sure to relay this to her. Your grandparent’s car sounds like a Hudson brand. A friend had several & looking at the back seat suggested it was really a sofa! 🌞
Holy cow! Your instructor and classmates (I assumed were in the car) must have been grateful you were in the driver's seat! Bravo for handling that scary situation.
Thank you for sharing and listening in. :) I hope you have a great weekend ahead. How's Beth feeling? Hope recovering well.
I love this story. I managed to pass on the first go after getting training from my mom. She took her life in her hands teaching each of her kids the basics on weekends in an empty parking lot and streets of an industrial area. I am sure I just about put her head through the windshield a few times as I slammed on the brakes. Thank you for making me laugh. I felt so bad for you! It's such an enjoyable and 'second nature' skill now. It's hard to believe it was so mentally and emotionally overloading when learning it.
Thank you so much for sharing your memory here with us. This made me laugh too...the slamming the brakes bit. :) It was so hard for me, I look back and think why was I so hard on myself? GRR. Poor kid. Anyway, I LOVE driving now. The independence to jump in my car and go wherever I want is pretty remarkable.
Firstly, such joyful, joyful pictures of happy runners and writers, Julie - how wonderful!
And gosh, I'm sorry you went through that on your driving test. Golly me, it was a hair-raising time learning to drive! All of those miles of practice, building my confidence, learning by doing..... wow, I certainly wouldn't like to go through all that again.
Like you I enjoy driving, but it took me a while to feel like that!
I love Natalie Goldberg’s books and prompts. I used them often years ago while trying to write.
Your piece brought back memories, not of taking my driver’s test but of getting my first speeding ticket at 16 while tooling about in my parents’ old stick-shift Dodge going down the main drag of our town at about 10 or 15 miles over the speed limit. I remember dissolving in tears, but the cop wasn’t impressed and gave me a citation anyway. I don’t think my parents were impressed either!
Thank you so much for sharing with us. I resonate. Oh boy! The speeding ticket stories I could tell you. LOL. This writing prompt was so helpful to dig up some memories I haven’t thought about in years! Thanks again Ruth. I really enjoy Natalie Goldberg and her books too.
A "prom" date that night
I had to get my license
I am still smiling‼️
Glad you liked today's Haiku
My "prom" date was the prom queen and I was crazy about her. Telling her I would drive her to the prom after my driver's test was quite the gamble indeed.
It sure was! How wonderful to pass on the first try as well. :)
I love this and I'm smiling too. :) Happy Thursday Clark. (I got your email...responding back soon)
I love the overall story, Julie B. Well, not that you failed your first driving test. Your alternating voice, you, then to the guy, back to you was well done.
Driver’s Ed was mandatory in high school. A faculty member both conducted classroom sessions as well as our actual driving time. We had to obtain a learner’s permit to operate a car under supervision by an adult. Today’s emphasis on liability would not have allowed what we did. Four to the car - two in the back seat, instructor in the passenger seat (with a braking lever, no steering wheel), and a student driving. The school parking lot to start, then quickly out onto rural public roads.
The day before my first public road driving, the instructor advised, “There’s a program on tv tonight that covers a variety of problematic driving occurrences. Please watch it.” Yup. I did. About two miles into my first drive, as I approached a sharp ascending right curve a loaded logging truck coming the other way was completely in my lane!! I braked abruptly and got as far to the right as I could go without overturning the car on a steep embankment. The truck cleared us by a few feet. Putting the car in park I sat motionless. The instructor stated, “You must have watched the show last night?!” Indeed, as that was exactly one scenario that was shown and discussed. My Adrenalin was coursing. The instructor asked if I wanted to continue driving. I replied, “Not today.” Hurray for brave moms!
Yes, classmates were in the back seat. As that happened in 1965 I’m not sure the car even had seat belts. Thanks for asking about Beth. Her aunt on her father’s side had been in hospice for a while and passed away Monday evening. Resulting in new grief and stirring the old. She’s started Tai Chi and so far likes the fluidity of the movements. A settling practice?! All the best to you and your family.
Oh my goodness, this brought up memories for me in the backseat of my grandparent's care (we called it the boat) and all of us cousins crammed in the back with no seatbelts. Glad all turned out well.
I'm sending my condolences to Beth and Tai Chi sounds like a great practice.
Thanks, Julie B. Hughes. I’ll make sure to relay this to her. Your grandparent’s car sounds like a Hudson brand. A friend had several & looking at the back seat suggested it was really a sofa! 🌞
HA! Yes that's about right...sofa for sure. :) Happy Friday Gary.
Holy cow! Your instructor and classmates (I assumed were in the car) must have been grateful you were in the driver's seat! Bravo for handling that scary situation.
Thank you for sharing and listening in. :) I hope you have a great weekend ahead. How's Beth feeling? Hope recovering well.
I love this story. I managed to pass on the first go after getting training from my mom. She took her life in her hands teaching each of her kids the basics on weekends in an empty parking lot and streets of an industrial area. I am sure I just about put her head through the windshield a few times as I slammed on the brakes. Thank you for making me laugh. I felt so bad for you! It's such an enjoyable and 'second nature' skill now. It's hard to believe it was so mentally and emotionally overloading when learning it.
Thank you so much for sharing your memory here with us. This made me laugh too...the slamming the brakes bit. :) It was so hard for me, I look back and think why was I so hard on myself? GRR. Poor kid. Anyway, I LOVE driving now. The independence to jump in my car and go wherever I want is pretty remarkable.
Firstly, such joyful, joyful pictures of happy runners and writers, Julie - how wonderful!
And gosh, I'm sorry you went through that on your driving test. Golly me, it was a hair-raising time learning to drive! All of those miles of practice, building my confidence, learning by doing..... wow, I certainly wouldn't like to go through all that again.
Like you I enjoy driving, but it took me a while to feel like that!
Good morning Rebecca, Thank you so much! I agree...glad I don't need to go through that again.
I love Natalie Goldberg’s books and prompts. I used them often years ago while trying to write.
Your piece brought back memories, not of taking my driver’s test but of getting my first speeding ticket at 16 while tooling about in my parents’ old stick-shift Dodge going down the main drag of our town at about 10 or 15 miles over the speed limit. I remember dissolving in tears, but the cop wasn’t impressed and gave me a citation anyway. I don’t think my parents were impressed either!
Hi Ruth,
Thank you so much for sharing with us. I resonate. Oh boy! The speeding ticket stories I could tell you. LOL. This writing prompt was so helpful to dig up some memories I haven’t thought about in years! Thanks again Ruth. I really enjoy Natalie Goldberg and her books too.
Thanks for sharing Julie. Sorry about the maroon van. I can laugh about it now, I’m glad you can write about it.😘
LOL! Yes, it's pretty hilarious now. Mom, I don't know how you did it! Thank you.