another wheel story involving incredible luck

i was reminded of this story by katherine's post... it happened back on feb. 15 and here's what i wrote to cindy that night [with a few asides]:

oh my goodness, we just got home from a flat tire marathon. of course we didn't have a spare or a jack with us. but there was a sign across the highway in front of an old house that said "mechanic on duty". so this guy came out and he said he'd call a friend to bring a spare. that guy took an hour, and then he didn't have the right kind of tire, so he had to go back somewhere, and then he came back with one, then it blew out after we drove a mile! then he went and got a tire off his nephew's truck [while his nephew was in the shower!] and followed us home to take it back. AND it turns out that the people who live down at the road are his grandparents [and his sister lives on the other side]. what a weird, nice, small-town thing! so the country is looking a little less creepy tonight.

i had been feeling as though my hood was unfriendly. our immediate neighbors have always been nice if not enthusiastic... but the general area, and especially the gas station/convenience store which is the closest business (amidst many empty buildings) always feels hostile. i'd been verging on agoraphobia, not even wanting to go to the grocery. this incident really helped me feel more connected to our area, giving me more context, as if our little farm is not just plopped down in an unknown land. but more like a home.



and it's so good to be back home.