Fun and fallabilities in Florida

Liz Flaherty & Lynn Flaherty-Lewis
Duane and I are in Florida, having a good time with family who are also friends. I have been reminded of my own...er...inadequacies several times on this trip.
  • We usually travel with a spare pillow. It's comfortable for sleeping in the car and one of us usually uses it in the hotel room, too. We did this time. "Do we have everything?" Duane asked the next morning because I was the one who did the last-round check of the room. "Sure do," I said. I'd left a bookmark, a business card, and the tip for housekeeping. I had my computer and my purse. He had the overnight bag. The pillow is still Somewhere in Kentucky. We didn't have it.
  • Yesterday, walking into Target in Pace, Florida, I tripped over a curb and sprawled all over the sidewalk. I attracted the attention of a gorgeous young man who was training at the nearby air station, a bulky and gentle firefighter, a kind assistant manager of Target who hadn't even clocked in yet, a nurse who offered assistance, and a store manager who I think may have been a little concerned I was going to sue his store because I was clumsy. Trauma makes me both sick to my stomach and lightheaded, so it was a very dramatic event. My sister-in-law Lynn--you remember her; she was the other one in the parasailing pictures--was torn between laughing herself silly and trying to figure out how she was going to tell her brother she'd let me get killed on a sidewalk in front of Target. Bruised and battered, I survived.
  • Today in Walmart, Lynn suggested I drive around on one of the motorized carts. I mentioned the very real possibility of taking out an end cap and she said, "Forget it," and pushed a regular cart at me. Afterward I offered to go back to Target and promised not to trip. She told me to forget that, too.
  • Coming home from supper, I dropped my to-go cup of sweet tea in the backseat of her car and spilled half of it. I didn't feel nearly as bad as I might have if she hadn't been mean to me about going back to Target and if she hadn't laughed all the way home from what could have been a terrible accident. Okay, it wasn't, but it could have been. She mentioned just now that she told all the onlookers that No, she didn't know me, either.
  • Sitting outside later, I leaned on the arm of the chair I was sitting in and it broke loose.
And I am reminded if what it is that we write about. It's not just romance or just sex or just anything else. We write about friends and family and things gone awry. About love and death and laughing until our stomach muscles tremble and ache. It makes me, once again, more grateful than I can say.

Love you, Lynn.

Comments

  1. Oh Liz!! I'm glad you're only bruised from your trip (Ha! Ha! Get it? πŸ˜‚), but I'm sorry it happened. You're right... it could have been really bad. Fortunately it wasn't so I don't feel so bad giggling with you about your misadventures!

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    1. Oh, excellent play on words there! It has been fun, although I worry a little about what's next. :-)

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  2. What's next? How about peeing your pants? Lynn sounds like an accomplished comic, so watch out. (Target has Depends....)

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    1. We can't go into Target--she's afraid we'll be recognized!

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  3. I could SO see myself sprawled on the ground when I read this! Glad you're okay. Try to enjoy the rest of your stay in Florida, and keep an eye out for Matthew, for he is coming.

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    1. It's so beautiful here right now--but people are watching out, for sure.

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  4. You're the second person this week who's written about their perils in Florida....apparently Northerners are supposed to AVOID that state for a few weeks, lol!

    So happy you kept your sense of humor!

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  5. So are you feeling Targeted? Happy to read you were not hurt, and sending wishes for a safe return home.

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  6. I'd totally be snickering right now if I hadn't tried to cut my thumb off twice this week! Seriously, it's been wrapped in bandages all week. The perils of age...or putziness, I'm not sure which. But I'm glad you're enjoying your time with Lynn, who sounds like my kind of person! ;-)

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    1. I'm not sure which it is, either, but it's getting more dangerous all the time!

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  7. I'm happy you're back in Florida and hope you have a wonderful time. I'd just like to make one request - Don't do too much damage. It sounds like Matthew has nothing on you.

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    1. No kidding! It's just so beautiful here today, though.

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  8. First of all, I am glad you survived the fall with minimal damage. Sounds like you had lots of help. Stay safe and watch the weather.

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    1. Lots of help--all of whom were very nice--and lots of embarrassment, too. :-(

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  9. I'm glad you survived with only your dignity bruised. Take care for the rest of your trip!

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    1. I don't know, Jana--I seem to be an accident looking for a place to happen these days.

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  10. My goodness, I don't want to re-use the pun, but what a trip you've had! The important thing is that you're able to laugh about it. As I often tell my girls, when the choice is laughter or tears--choose laughter.

    Wishing you safe travels home!

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    1. Thanks, Lori. You're right--laughing's always better.

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  11. Glad you're okay. That said, I'd probably been laughing along with Lynn. Or been the one sprawled on the ground with my sisters laughing over meπŸ˜€

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