John F Dean

Healthy.  

Reading Anne’s post, I can empathize in that things don’t always go well. In my own community of 3000…in a driving rain storm, I saw a lady walking down a sidewalk and thoroughly soaked. I offered her a ride.  As soon as she entered my car she said, “I can say you touched me.”  To which I responded, “ You can get out now or at the police station.”  She exited my car.   I still offer people rides in my community when they seem in need.

When I first posted, my thoughts were on “strange things”.   I find myself agreeing with Theresa,  it is amazing the level of generosity and involvement we have as a group….especially for a group of recluses.

This was maybe 25 years ago.  I was taking the roads less traveled between Memphis and Philadelphia, MS.  It is not uncommon for me to leave the interstates, GPS, and maps aside and travel by instinct if I have the time.   I knew I needed to travel in a generally SE direction. I don’t know what month it was, but it was hot.  I ended up on a well maintained gravel road.  I came to an intersection and “Miss Daisy” was standing there …a woman well in her 80s, well dressed for the 1930s…and with several pieces of red leather luggage….maybe 5 to 7.   Anyway, it was much more than she could have managed by herself. Yet, there she was ….no houses in sight…in 90+ degree weather.

I saw myself having little choice. I pulled over and spoke to her. There was no doubt she was disoriented.  I asked her if she needed a ride, and she accepted. She told me she was going to “Williams”.   Of course, as I am driving, I am trying to figure out what to do with her.  My main thought is “please don’t die”.  I am replaying every trash the South movie I have ever seen with the image of me being lynched for murdering “Miss Daisy”.  

Through some miracle I come upon a town. I am looking for a police station, hospital…..anything.  As I come upon a 4 way stop ….i can’t remember stop signs or lights …I notice a congressman’s office on my right.  Good enough!   I run inside and begin to explain the situation ….the lady at the desk interrupts and says, “Oh, you must have “Miss Daisy”.  She looks out the door and confirms it is indeed “Miss Daisy”.   She escorts “Miss Daisy” inside as I carry the luggage . …and thanks me for caring so much.   I have no idea what the back story is …especially how she got to…and got dropped off at … a remote crossroads in rural Mississippi.

Based on the photo, I would consider it safe.  

Hi Zach,

Welcome to Permies.

To take a simplistic approach, it suspect it is better to get paid than not. The reality is that everything depends on the specific farmer you are working for.   Just like every other group in the world, some are incredible nice and others are less so.

Hi Judith,

Be aware your needs can change.   I would walk into a pharmacy and ask about the price difference.   For what it is worth, I just got a notice from Humana that seems to say our rates are being lowered…by a whole $10…but that is downward.

Hi Anne,

To drive by it on I69 I would guess its population to be around 1000, but Wiki has it in the 6000 range.   I don’t know where they hide the houses. But 5he, I have never taken the exit.

Off an interstate highway in Indiana, USA is a small community named Gas City.  I had always  regarded it as a play on the many gas stations that were by the exit ramp.   Well, I ran into a gentleman who was a life long resident of Gas City.  He told me the city was named for its natural gas reserves.  It seems that many years ago it had been a boom town when the gas reserves were discovered.  The street lights used natural gas. It even had a huge torch that burned off of natural gas 24/7.

And, as you are already thinking, one day the torch went out. So, today it exists as a few gas stations on a highway.