Tipping the Scales

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2007
Tipping the Scales

Last night, I called Maribeth Couch to see if she could spend Wednesday night over here—next week, so that Tony, John and I could go to Port Aransas to see our friends, Pete, Kelly and Rick and to also do a little fishing. Her answer was yes! Next Ben called to tell me more good news! He told me that he had us covered for Wednesday and Thursday and that he would gladly take care of the rescue ranch for us! I just love those two, in fact, I wish they were going with us!

This morning after breakfast, Tony and I had to go to Kerrville to pick up Kinky’s dog— Mr. Magoo, who had been ailing, because Kinky was in El Paso for a book signing! After safely returning Mr. Magoo to the Lodge. I did some paperwork and returned phone calls.

I spent the rest of the day thinking about next week’s mini-vacation. After treating myself to two of Carol’s cookies, I made a list of the things that I needed to get done before going on our trip. The most important thing for me to do on my ‘to do list’ was—get fishing license with a salt water stamp.

A little after 3:00, I decided to drive to Medina to get my license. Along that nine and a half mile stretch, I was thinking about what might be required to get this fishing license and wondering if I would have to take a test. I knew I would flunk it if it was about fishing, because Tony knows all of that stuff—he’s nearly an expert!

The only thing that Tony ever taught me about fishing is—to be quiet, and to not do a lot of talking, because it will scare away the fish. I’m pretty sure that rule is ‘an old husband’s tale,’so they don’t have to listen to their wives chatter.

The next thought that popped into my head scared me! Are they going to ask me how much I weigh? I won’t get a fishing license—no way—if they ask me that question—forget it! Then I thought maybe the form will just ask me to check one of the boxes concerning my personal size. Like: ‘What body size would you consider yourself to be: small, medium, large, extra large or other?

As I pulled up in front of the Medina Ace Hardware and parked, I wondered—what would 'other' be?

I sat in the car for a minute, getting up my nerve, and then I went inside the friendly hardware store. A good-looking young man, from behind the counter, asked me if he could help me and what I needed.

In front of several people I said, “I think I want a fishing license, with a salt water stamp on it. Do I have to take a test or fill out a form?”

“All I need is your driver’s license, Cousin Nancy,” The man replied. “It’ll cost you—thirty eight dollars and that’s it.”

Showing someone my driver’s license with my picture on it— is almost as bad, as asking me how much I weigh in front of everybody. I hesitated, and then handed over my driver’s license—hoping it wouldn’t cause the man to faint or think it was some kind of Halloween prank.

When he looked at my license he laughed instead. “So, that’s what you look like without a cap! I’ve never seen you without a cap!” Then he puts my driver’s license down on the counter and before anyone could see it, I quickly slid it into my purse. Then I wrote the clerk a check, and came home with a fishing license!