I guess I was a little too excited to get to Rockford, IL for the Carthage Choir ‘s concert – I was pulled over for speeding about six miles west of Racine, on highway 20 – the same highway on which a few years back my wife and I were tagged for what we’ll simply say was a substantial speeding violation. Unfortunately, this little encounter with the law was more complicated than that because I had neglected to get my emissions tested for the car – actually, I went through the test almost on time but didn’t pass, and had not managed to get the problem taken care of – so . . . I got a warning for the speeding (68 in a 55, which is bad but not Evel Knievel-type speeding) but nailed for driving without proper registration. I did have a few things going for me – I had a proper driver’s license- I had my seat belt fastened (really!) – I didn’t have the smell of liquor on my breath. Otherwise, I felt like I belonged on the FBI’s top ten list and would not have been shocked to be led away in handcuffs. The cop (a woman) was mercifully succinct – I couldn’t have tolerated a long speech – as was my wife when I told her the news earlier today. And now I know what I’ll be doing before I do anything else this spring break . . . getting that little tail pipe of mine to spit out a bit less nasty stuff so I can be on the road again with a clear conscience and one of those lovely new stickers on my license plate. Ah, the joys of being an adult.
pictured: that’s her, in my rear view mirror –