By Juan C. Ayllon If you're like me, the last year has been a whirlwind. On my end, I just wrapped up a 20 year career teaching in Illinois public schools, commenced a new job search, interviewed, fielded several job offers, explored downsizing, and accepted a new art teaching position just across the Illinois-Wisconsin state border. It was time for a break! So, Belle and I packed up our car and drove down to Tampa, Florida, to visit her mother, Mary, and beloved half sister, Naomi, who is cognitively and physically disabled, wheelchair bound since her youth. It was good to get away. We spent a lot of time with Mary and Naomi, taking time to visit places like Tarpon Springs, their church, and their favorite restaurant, as well as relaxing at their home. However, we also made sure to get out on our own, whether it was shopping, dining, or simply relaxing late at night by poolside.
Driving to and back from Tampa was a little frightening; I had to drive through the winding Tennessee mountains in low visibility during heavy rains round midnight (Belle was so scared that she pulled a raincoat over her head and prayed), and the next day, we saw the aftermath of several horrible accidents (in one, paramedics held up a fire blanket to shield passersby from the gory remains of a fatality, and in another, I saw an overturned boat and trailer, with its hauling car mangled and wrapped around trees some 30 feet away). Then on our drive home, we witnessed a very loud Ford Bronco roar by at roughly 120 MPH in heavy traffic, weaving in and out, and narrowly dodged a catastrophic collision in the far right lane, fishtailing as it sped off down the highway's shoulder. We were horrified. I cried out, "Lord!", then Belle asked that we pray that this car gets incapacitated before it kills or injures anyone. Far too many people are narcissistic and hell bent on getting what and where they want, when they want it, and not caring about the potential harmful impact on others. It's a sad reflection of how badly our society's values have fallen. Needless to say, the next time we visit Florida, I think we'll fly. In the meantime, I am gearing up for a busy fall and, when I can, doing a little more writing. Cheers!
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Juan C. AyllonA writer, artist, educator and owner of Prairie Audio Man Cave, he lives with his wife, Isabel (AKA Belle), and their Goldendoodle, Liam, enjoys listening to high fidelity music and all things hi-fi at their home in the greater Chicagoland area.. Archives
March 2024
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