Ever had a day where you wake up on the wrong side of the bed and just feel cranky. That was me earlier this week (or maybe more often and earlier than that according to my family). I'm being kind to myself with that description, I was way more than cranky. There are so many people around Tampa who drive like complete jerks and by time I got about 4 miles from work I recognized my attitude was so wrong I couldn't even stand myself. I was driving our F250 truck this day because I thought it might rain and I try to avoid to motorcycle when I'm just feeling off. I took a mental pause and spoke a simple prayer to Jesus - "please help me improve my attitude". I had no idea how Jesus might answer that prayer but I really didn't expect what happened next.
I had just gotten through a 4-way stop near some apartments and a golf course where the road has some wonderful trees that hang over the road. It can pretty at times - probably more so once some of the construction near the corner is complete. At this moment though, I suddenly saw a large duck flying straight down between the trees like it was heading for a landing. I immediately realized that I was directly in its path and it realized the same. I had no time to react and I think it tried to go into a climb but it was too little too late. There was a very large bang and the windshield turned into a mess. I was in shock but alert enough to keep myself on the road without any panic reaction.
"Ok Jesus, you have my attention. Yes, my attitude is still bad and I know it. Thanks for showing me you are listening and thanks for your forgiveness."
I didn't stop the truck right away - I thought about it but I didn't figure there was much use and there wasn't really a good place to pull over. I was pretty sure the duck didn't make it - even now, although I have yet to see it laying along the road. It wasn't super easy but I was able to make it the last 3 or so miles to work where I was able to take a breather.
Anyways here is the formula.
1 Muscovy duck
HTML BBCode HTML/BBCode:
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1 truck
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If you look carefully above you will see feathers stuck in the windshield near the top...
Plus all the fun and jokes that are coming out of it.
- The truck, originally nicknamed 'Herbie Jr' is now 'The Duckinator'.
- My wife really wants me to admit that I screamed like a girl when it happened. I didn't since I saw it coming - but if I hadn't.. well.. I won't speculate.
- The day after this I ended up working from home since I couldn't drive the truck and there was a 60% chance of rain and the days after that I was driving the motorcycle. On the way to work I kept looking for a duck with an odd waddle to no avail but there were plenty of them along the road and I could visualize one big one strutting along telling his friends "Yeah, I'm bad - I might be in pain but that big white thing didn't come back for more.. Oh yeah."
- Some duck duck goose jokes..
- Some comments on doing a better job 'ducking'
- Comments on how dinner got away from me..
- More comments on 'waddle home'.
- etc etc.. a family of real comedians we are..
- [edit 2017/3/3] How could I forget 'No harm, no fowl'
I have a lot to be thankful for. I didn't get hit by this duck while riding my motorcycle. That would have been more dangerous, probably very painful and even more embarrassing. I would NEVER hear the end of it if I came home with feathers stuck in my riding gear or helmet. It was a duck and not a large goose which might have gotten through the window to a higher degree. It wasn't a person and no people were injured. And of course, I am thankful for the opportunity to fix my attitude a bit. As much as I don't want to admit it, I almost always could use a little bit of an attitude adjustment but a future prayer may have to stress the 'little' aspect.
Hope God blesses your day!
Scott
