From Ohio we are going to the state of Missouri to a small town by the name of Meta. It is in the back woods of the back woods. The roads to this town I think were drawn on the ground by a drunk cowboy dragging a stick behind him.
Some of the small strip malls along the road have eye catching structures. This one made me think of the Arabian Nights, but I didn't see one store that would even have anything to do with Arabian Nights or the Far East.
Then as usual I find the repair crews interesting. Here I see the power company at work. One guy is working on the lines and the other is doing...well it appears as if he is looking for something in the grass. In the back woods of the country you can find anything, from spiders to snakes to frogs. Then there are the four legged creatures that can stink to high heaven. You know, the ones with a stripe down their back.
This is a true "Yard Sale". I think you could find even the kitchen sink here. Or, maybe they were just slow in getting "Spring Cleaning" done. However, there are times that at these yard sales you can find some good buys on things that are old and of value. The sad thing is that there is very little room to park the truck to go and look at all the interesting things to see
The old buildings are of interest to me. When I see them I wonder what was there before it closed. Did the people just give up, move away, or did Wal-Mart come to the county? I wish I could step back in time and see the building as it was when it was a going concern and people were going in and out of the busineness
Then on the country roads you find the idiot that is in a hurry to be made into and Angel. Either that or he wanted to see what you get when you cross and Chevy with a delivery truck. I think the outcome would be down right ugly. The next thing this nut did was pass on a solid line. I guess it only applies to those who aren't colored blind and can see the road. Urgggg.
I have found it interesting that in many small towns there is at least one building that sits kitty corner on the corner. Was it done by design? Here again, the building is standing empty. Main Street America is not the same anymore. I have seen more empty buildings than I care to count. These small towns at least aren't giving up, and are trying to survive.
The signs you see along the side of the road are interesting, to say the least. There are those that are done by the professionals and then there are the ones that are homemade. The latter are the ones that I find the most interesting. They tell a little about the business that is on the sign.
And as in any town you come to there is at least one building that has just a little bit of everything. At least they are using an old building and keeping it use. I would have liked to stop here and just go in to see if the floors were the old hardwood floors of yesteryear. They would creek in certain spots when you walked on them and the owner of the store would know where everyone was just by the sounds of the creeks.
In most all towns you go to in the U.S. there is at least one bar, that the locals can go to to relax and have a good time. Irish Pub's seem to give the impression that they are the places to go for a good time. But this isn't a true Irish Pub, for they are advertising Bud instead of Guiness.
Old homes tell the story of the towns they stand in. The way the yards are taken care of and the homes themselves. I see these old homes and think they would make great Bed and Breakfasts. It would be a sight to see the lilac bush in full bloom and smell them.
I have been reading in the papers that the United States Post Office is considering closing Offices across the nation. What a shame. Here is one that is not large and more than likely has one person that works there. These small town post offices are the hub of information for the community. Everyone that goes there stops to visit and find out what is going on in each others lives and those that they know. (Small town gossip)
I question is, if FedEx and UPS can make a profit, why can't the post office? The former use the post office to deliver many of their packages. So, what is wrong with this picture? Post office is losing money and Fed EX, UPS are making money. Hum.
You can always tell when you are in farming country. The farm equipment is lined up along the side of the road ready to go. Some are rented by the hour and others are purchased. From some of the lawns I have seen for front yards, you could sell the grass for feed and make money. I did see a yard that had vegetables planted instead of grass. Now that is making the best of your yard. You just have to pick it, instead of mow it and you get to eat what you pick.
It has been a long road today, and much to see. Soon it will be time to stop for the night and hit the road again tomorrow. So, until till then I'll see you On the Other Side.
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