This is gonna accost you

I avoid fueling my automobile, preferring to let TG fill that important office.

Ergo, I rarely visit gas stations.

However.

When we travel, inevitably there are fueling stops.

I always go inside to take stock of the snack and beverage offerings, believing it's the least I can do.

And because we usually travel with our pet, he gets out too ... to check his messages, et cetera.

The other day as we were on the Ohio-to-Tennessee leg of our return home, at a fuel island somewhere in Kentucky we offered Javier a drink of water. Like his own little private oasis.

I fetched his dish from the trunk and Erica stepped up to fill it from her personal monogrammed water container.

He was very grateful and I must say, so cute lapping up his water I just had to grab my camera.

Lately I've been doing a lot of shooting where I just hang my camera down near something on the ground or floor, and without even looking into the viewfinder, I take several pictures.

I like that unique perspective. Some of the shots remind me of Alfred Hitchcock movies, you know, with a small object looming in the foreground, dwarfing the larger object behind it.

(Think the teacup in Notorious. If you can get your mind's eye off Cary Grant, that is.)

But this time it really paid off because in addition to making his water dish look like a small swimming pool, I accidentally made Javier into a one-legged Chihuahua.

That's not something you see every day and I'm not sure you could plan it even if you actually were Alfred Hitchcock.

OK now all of the above was really just to set you up for this next part.

The day after the aforementioned trip, we embarked upon the last leg of our peregrinations. The one that would take us all the way home.

Erica left for Georgia. TG and I headed for South Carolina.

Audrey stayed in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she lives. Something tells me she was glad to see the gray car and the red car drive away.

Ten days on the road with one's family is ... well, ten days on the road with one's family. Good but at times requiring, shall we say, extra patience.

Anyway, before hitting I-75 South, Erica stopped to fill her tank.

She had just swiped her card and adjusted the nozzle and begun watching fifty dollars take wing and fly out of her wallet when a lady approached her.

The lady's male companion waited in a nearby car, smoking a cigarette.

Erica listened patiently while the lady politely asked for, not money, but gasoline.

As in, she wanted Erica to fill (or at least partially fill) the tank of the automobile in which the smoking man sat.

Erica declined to acquiesce with her request and later, she told me, "felt badly about it."

That's my girl, sweet as the day is long and with a guilt complex built right in.

To which I say, PUH-LEEEEEEZE.

PEOPLE. IF YOU CAN AFFORD CIGARETTES YOU CAN AFFORD GASOLINE.

I don't even know what a pack of smokes costs but I am sure the same amount of money would buy at least one gallon of gas, and that should be enough to drive you to work.

Yes, I said WORK.

Speaking of work, a few weeks ago TG was fueling his truck at another gas station. A man walked up and asked, not for money, but for work.

See, TG was wearing old paint-spattered clothes because he'd been painting some doors at our church. Perhaps giving the impression that he could maybe use a helper.

And I don't want to criticize the man who asked for work, because he did after all ask for work. Not for a ten-spot or a happy meal or a tank of gas.

Unfortunately TG had no work to give him, and told him so, and I'm sure he was very nice about it because he always is.

But a few minutes later as TG drove off down the road, he passed the man, who was on foot.

And as he walked, the man was smoking a cigarette.

PEOPLE. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A JOB, WHERE DO YOU GET THE MONEY TO BUY CIGARETTES?

Wait. Don't answer that. I'm not at all sure I want to know.

Comments

[Mari]

I have wondered the same thing. Those things are so expensive! I can't imagine shelling out that money!

[Donna(Texas)]

Hahaaaa.....love Javier!
I Think there was another program entitled, Smokes for Clunkers....No?
So glad the family trip was a Good one...
hughugs
PS LOVE the new background and header Girl!

['Aunt Amelia']

Cool new *angle* on picture taking!!! I love the idea of a floor-height shot. But could never get down there myself and take it. Well, I could get down there. It's the getting-back-up, which would be prohibitive. -gigggles-

Yes Ma'am! I so agree! If they can buy ciggies, they can buy gas or whatever. Yikes!!!

And that creep, sitting in the car smoking, and having (making?) his wife go out and beg for gas! Ughhhhhhhhhh...

You are on a roll, my Dear, and I love it!!! I got a teeny, tiny *swipe* in, today (Thurs. post) at our "3 Stooges Admin." -chuckle- I figured I did it in a nicely sneaky way.... So as to not upset the "gentle ladies" among my Dear Readers. -gigggggles- 'Cause I know, not all of us want to THINK about HEAVY stuff, like the state of our country and the debt thing, and all.

-sigh-

I don't either! In fact, I can only dwell on such, a little bit, and my blood pressure goes up and it's not healthy for me. So I sneakkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk bitty bits in, now and then. -chuckle-

I applaud you, for letting how you feel, be no secret! The real News has to be spread by you younger gals I'm afraid. I'm burned out. But a bitty bit, snuck in once in a while, makes me feel good. Makes me feel like I'm still doing something.

Courage!!!

~♥~

[Debbie]

As I said in yesterday's post/comment, they always have money for eating out, cigarettes, the latest smart phone with unlimited texting and minutes, booze, illegal drugs, but never have money for to pay the doctor or apparently to buy gas.

When I worked in the church, we always had some extra money on hand, we also had a little food and clothing closet. It would never fail, each year we would have some folks come buy asking for help, and the church was glad to give it.

But, we were not stupid and were not going to get taken (again). Many times these same people would hit EVERY church in town, or in the county, especially the larger ones, and what they wanted was MONEY. Always the same story...

They were traveling across the country, to a new job, to see sick family, whatever, and their car broke down, or they just need enough gas money to get to ----- wherever. Same story to every church.

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... isn't that the truth? If you do the math, it is staggering what it adds up to in a year's time, even for a pack-a-day smoker. And most smokers smoke more than that. I thank God He saved me at a young age and I was never tempted to smoke. But for His grace, there go I.

@Donna ... girl, smokes for clunkers ... sounds like the perfect bureaucratic nightmare!!! Just give Washington time and they'll come up with something similar. I think Javier enjoyed his moment in the spotlight. Looked to me like he was posing.

@Auntie A ... believe me, I can't get down on the floor or back up either without help, so that's why I do it the lazy way! When you have a good camera it's amazing what you can get without hardly trying. Such fun. Thanks for the encouragement. I'll never, ever be still about what I believe is right.

@Debbie ... exactly. Our son-in-law is a pastor and he says not a day goes by but someone doesn't stop by the church to beg. I think for church staff it comes down to being wise as a serpent but harmless as a dove. You want to help people but when they stop by the church for help with their "light bill" and later that same day you see them shopping in the beer aisle at the supermarket (that actually happened to a pastor's wife I know), you realize you cannot necessarily believe people. Churches are struggling too, especially those that are autonomous and don't get money from a big denomination, like my son-in-law's.

[Crystal]

I want that dog!! He is just the cutest lil thing! I love those pics too. Very crisp looking. Nice work girlie. And yes, if u can buy smokes u can buy gas. Smokes are around 7 dollars here in Texas, not sure in ur area.

[Sue the Hobbit]

Javier is looking particularly debonair.
There is a woman who stands every day at the entrance to the parking lot of a local Costco. Rain or shine. Panhandling. For years. I have never seen her absent. She is quite overweight, so obviously not starving, but has a nice face. Every time I see her, I think that a job would surely be easier than standing out in the weather all year. Can't understand it at all, unless she rakes in the money. Even then!

[Jennifer]

@Crystal ... oh I know, isn't he just the most adorable little guy? He's my baby. You have Pepe!!!

@Hobbit ... Javier was feeling his oats that day, I think. Fascinating story about your career panhandler. She probably makes more money than me, but what a hard row to hoe.