Pluggers by Rick McKee for December 01, 2010

Too true. I’ve moved around some, and this was a major difficulty getting used to a new rural or small town area.

I grew up 3,000 miles away. I left my pluggerness in another time zone.

Come to think of it, you can’t get there from here….

But WE know where we’re going?

……….or include people’s names that have moved or are dead………..

The other week someone asked about the old post office.

I said, “the old post office across from the fire hall (25 years ago) or the OLD old post office across from the bank (45 years ago).”

Guess I’m a double plugger.

“Oh, heck with it, wait a minute and I’ll get my truck and you can follow me.”

Never ask a rhino for directions.

I’m from the Lost Angeles area, now in my 13th year living in the Seattle area – I know a lot of other transplants who have trouble with the “natives” giving directions using landmarks, but I’ve never minded, since they don’t do the past-tense bit around here.

The one thing that would be worse? Asking an oracle or precognate for directions. “Turn left where the Waffle House will be built in five years…”

You mean where Hurricane Hazel blew down the Founders’ Oak in ‘57?

This really reminds me of my father. Dad would give directions like this: “Well, you go just past the old John T. Walker farm (who has been dead for over 40 years), then your bear to the right…YOU CAN’T MISS IT.