Lessons Learned...I hope

Okay, so last time I had just finished up the story of our disastrous trip to Winfield in 2025. I could have just ended things there, but I did want to finish up by confessing a few sins. Or, rather, stating a few lessons that I hope I’ve learned (but may not have).

When we were finally back, I asked myself how things had got so bad, so quickly. The answer, alas, was that we...or, more precisely, I...made a number of errors.

First error, assuming that it would have been too much trouble to get Judy (and us) on a plane without her Real ID. As I said before, though, clearly TSA is prepared to deal with such matters and, if we’d just had a little more confidence, we would have gotten through the checkpoint without too much difficulty.

But, we *were* concerned...and, more important, I was entranced by the idea of finding a means of transport other than planes in this age of discomfort and metal detectors. And, the bus seemed an excellent alternative.

I’m guessing that, in time, such will be the case. If Flixbus ever upgrades its fleet, or if Redcoach or Vonlane ever does expand to other states, then I think they’ll give at least regional airlines a run for their money.

About the photos: Several today. First, nothing to do with the story, but I like the picture, this Martha at lunch in Salado, Texas. Second, something that does have a connection to my tale, a garden face we discovered in Winfield. Next, a couple of shots of a vacant house in Winfield. Note to all homesteaders out there. Want to get a fresh start in a quiet little Kansas community? Try Winfield. There are some excellent pieces of real estate awaiting a little TLC.

And, finally, a video of me realizing that a big chunk of our Winfield Disaster could have been avoided by me just being a bit more flexible. In other words...oh, Phooey.

But that day isn’t here yet. And my error was in believing the advertising I saw on the bus lines’ webpage, and in allowing my eagerness to find another way of getting from place to overshadow my common sense.

Second, I realized too, in retrospect, that I have the dangerous habit of not realizing when a plan needs to be put on hold, or even abandoned. Unfortunately, I just grind ahead, assuming that the Show Must Go On. Even when it should have been shut down months ago.

Thus, when we got to Dallas, I should have simply said, “Right, we’re staying here for the night.” After all, we had lunch just across the street from the Omni Hotel. We could have simply walked over and booked a couple of rooms. It would have been a little more expensive than we’re used to, but...what the heck? We deserved a treat after all our adventures. We could have spent the night and then started out fresh in the morning.

But I just couldn’t get deviated from The Plan. We had started intending to get to Wichita by evening, and by Gum! We were a’gonna do it.

Okay, similarly, when we were in Oklahoma City, and we realized there was a storm on the horizon, we should have simply bailed out there. Again, I should have said, “Right, whip out your phones and find a hotel.” It would have been safer and easier.

But, again, I couldn’t help myself. I was On The Way.

Then, too, in the same vein, once we were started, and we realized we were driving into a serious storm...potentially life threatening...I should have simply made a U-turn, gone back to OK City, or found another town along the way, and spent the night at a nice, warm, dry hotel.

But...again, I didn’t.

I guess, in retrospect, there is something important to learn here.

To wit: there is no Plan that cannot be modified. Or abandoned entirely. And I’m terribly sorry Motivational Speakers and TED Talkers, but failure *is* an option. In fact, sometimes, it is a virtue. Besides, it is a human duty to always be ready for enormous changes at the last minute.

Anyway, that’s what I think I learned.

We’ll see if I actually have or not. If my next story is about another disaster, and the disaster is mostly my fault, well, then, I didn’t.

Fingers crossed.

Anyway, stay tuned, everyone. Something new and different is coming up.

See you next time.

*

Copyright©2025 Michael Jay Tucker

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