Some people mention that when I speak I can get a bit “rambly.” I have to say that they should be grateful that they don’t get all the “rambly” of which I am capable. If my train of thought were the California High Speed Rail it would go from Los Angeles by way of San Francisco all the way to Vancouver.
Here’s an example.
I was thinking, “Today is going to be hot. I should use the air conditioner.” I remembered asking my son if he has air conditioning. He said he had solar power and used that to power his air conditioning.
That brought to mind a recent encounter with a door-to-door solicitor. My door has a sign basically saying that “we’re not interested” in any kind of solicitation on any kind of subject whatsoever. But this guy, being either illiterate or inconsiderate, knocked anyway. I pointed at the sign and he said that he wasn’t soliciting; he just “wanted to get us off the grid.” (I.e. he was soliciting for solar power.)
I thought that I should have another sign beneath the one we already have, saying, “Beware of clue stick.” Then I could buy one of those plastic inflatable “clue sticks” they sell. Then when the solicitor comes I could use the clue stick to point to the sign saying, “Beware of clue stick.”
That brought to mind a passage from THE LORD OF THE RINGS:
In three days, as the King had said, Éomer of Rohan came riding to the City, and with him came an éored of the fairest knights of the Mark. He was welcomed; and when they sat all at table in Merethrond, the Great Hall of Feasts, he beheld the beauty of the ladies that he saw and was filled with great wonder.
And before he went to his rest he sent for Gimli the Dwarf, and he said to him: ‘Gimli Glóin’s son, have you your axe ready?’
‘Nay, lord,’ said Gimli, ‘but I can speedily fetch it, if there be need.’
‘You shall judge,’ said Éomer. ‘For there are certain rash words concerning the Lady in the Golden Wood that lie still between us. And now I have seen her with my eyes.’
‘Well, lord,’ said Gimli, ‘and what say you now?’
‘Alas!’ said Éomer. ‘I will not say that she is the fairest lady that lives.’
‘Then I must go for my axe,’ said Gimli.
‘But first I will plead this excuse,’ said Éomer. ‘Had I seen her in other company, I would have said all that you could wish. But now I will put Queen Arwen Evenstar first, and I am ready to do battle on my own part with any who deny me. Shall I call for my sword?’
Then Gimli bowed low. ‘Nay, you are excused for my part, lord,’ he said. ‘You have chosen the Evening; but my love is given to the Morning. And my heart forebodes that soon it will pass away for ever.’
The moral is that you should consider yourself lucky that when I speak you don’t get the entire train of thought….