Random, adj.: Having no definite aim or purpose.
In this case, however, there is a purpose for these random thoughts. It’s my intent to make my readers think, or chuckle, or at least smile.
I realize some of you might think I’ve lost my mind. But I hope some will at least smile and remember similar incidents or thoughts of your own that are random, interesting, peculiar, intriguing, funny, befuddling or curious.
With that introduction, here are some random thoughts collected (randomly) over the past few years:
Auto correct this: My new computer, an Apple product, has been trying to read my thoughts. Just like our smart phones, which are set by default to automatically “fix” typos in our emails and text messages, this computer auto corrects words in my emails and text documents. Maybe it doesn’t understand Southern.
A good example is when my thumb missed the space bar (on the microscopic keyboard), so “and your” ended up as “and/or” to create this sentence: “Thanks for your article and/or note.”
Perfection: Beets are one of nature’s perfect foods. They are loaded with good stuff, such as antioxidants and phytonutrients, folate, manganese, magnesium, potassium and vitamins C and B6. They have no fat and almost no sugar; they are low calorie, anti-inflammatory, high fiber and help keep things moving inside.
Plus, fresh beets are easy to cook and quite tasty with absolutely nothing added. Their deep burgundy color is stunning. Makes me wish someone made beet lipstick.
Best pneumonic device ever: “Spring forward, fall back.” But I still wonder, why do they call it “Daylight Savings Time”? What exactly are we saving?
One thing I’ve saved is a funny story from years ago. A deacon in our church, Mr. Paulk, was known for his punctuality and attention to detail (he was the resident expert on “Roberts Rules of Order”). Once, he forgot to change his clock before going to bed Saturday night, and showed up for Sunday morning worship just as everyone was leaving.
The men of the church gave him holy grief about that for years. Someone probably even mentioned it at his funeral.
Subject line I never expected to see in an email: “NEW – List of areas now OK to flush on HHI.”
This was sent at 8 a.m. Oct. 13, 2016, from Hilton Head Public Service District No. 1. You might recall this was just a few days after Hurricane Matthew.
Random numbers: Once, on vacation with friends, I was riding with the husband of the other couple and my husband was driving the other wife. We divided up the kids.
My friend pointed out a small sign, with just the number 11, in a field. “I’ve noticed there are lots of these weird signs out here with random numbers,” he said. “I don’t know what they mean.”
We discussed possibilities for a few miles – markers for a gas line, or utility posts?
Then he said, “Look! There’s another one!” I turned and saw a 10. I raised an eyebrow at my friend. “Okay, but it still could be random,” he said.
About 5 miles later, I saw the next sign: 9. I chuckled. “But still…,” he replied hopefully.
Seven miles later, when we both spotted the 8 sign, we burst out in hysterical laughter. His kids thought we had lost our minds. Our spouses watched the car swerve just a tad and thought we had started Happy Hour early.
To this day, nobody else laughs when Eric and I mention random numbers.
