Thoughts During A Sunday Drive

It's nice having Scott and Noelle living closer to us. Granted, the car ride is an hour and half on a good day when traffic is light. Unfortunately this is rarely. I have come to the conclusion that the state of Ohio grows orange barrels on the sides of their highways. Truly, you see them start out as cones and by the next trip they have grown bigger until they have ripen into those dreaded orange barrels. It starts as soon as you hit the state line. Barrel after barrel lines the road, Thousands of them reminding you that there is some kind of road construction going to happen somewhere during my travel. Or is it a conspiracy with auto body shops and tow truck drivers to have stop and go traffic to encourage accidents that will need costly repairs? You know an easy way to boost the economy.
Either way, I have found that my drive up has become a trip of landmarks that greet me, making my mind churn with thoughts so bizzard at times, I worry about myself. It starts about an half hour into the trip. I see Traders Joe on the right follow by the mega church, home of the buttery colored touch down Jesus. Well it use to be home to it, until lightening hit it, caught it on fire, and it became toast. I couldn't help but noticed that they are 'resurrecting' their Jesus with an iron skeleton already in place. It makes me wonder what purpose a bigger than life Jesus serves? Couldn't/wouldn't that money be better used on feeding the poor, housing the homeless, healing the sick? As for me, it serves as a reminder that in under a mile, I will be driving through what I call the white knuckle section of the journey where prayers especially Hail Mary's are said in succession.
For several miles, there is a section of highway that has major construction happening. The three lanes have been narrowed to just a bit over the width of an SUV. If this isn't bad enough, you see signs that trucks must use the two left  lanes or pay fines. Problem with this is there is a concrete barrier on the left  all through the 20+ miles of construction. This barrier makes the trucks overlap into the next lane, which causes the domino effect into the other lanes. Look out when a truck is passing another truck. I've learn to just back off and wait it out before getting around the trucks. I know the best way to travel throught this is to stay in the far right hand lane, and hope that no slow poke gets in front of me.
I know that there isn't much more construction when I see the life size palm trees of yellow, pink and unnatural green advertising the home of Paradise something or other where one can get their very own slot machine. I've always wonder who would want their own slot machine? Would you encourage who ever came into your house to put a quarter into it? And what would happen if that person happen to hit it big on your slot machine, would you tell them that 'the house' has to take part or all of the winnings? Wouldn't that make you seem like a cheap hostess if you demanded the money won from the slot machine. Maybe hang a sign that warns of the consequences of playing but making sure it's tiny just in case. Or would this be a reason to have long lost friends to visit so that they can drop a coin or two in your conversational piece, hoping to win. Just seems like a big item to have in one's house for whatever reason one would have.
Once the construction ends, I look for the Dayton Daily News building on the left. As soon as I see it I know that 675 is close by. But the structure of the building is interesting with it barrel roof line and extended roof line that doesn't seem to serve any purpose but to draw your eye to the roundness of the roof. I wonder how business is for this paper. My local paper went under and now it's the 'Enquirer' from out of Cincinnati. They pawn it off as a local paper by adding the name Kentucky in front of the enquirer part and adding a Kentucky living section but it doesn't fool me. Epecially when the 'Kentucky' section is full of pictures of Ohio happenings.
As I journey to the right in order to merge onto 675, I notice the super Walmart to my left. Just like the Hardees of the South, I know I'll be passing way too many more during the 22 miles left to travel along with Home Depot, Lowes, and McDonalds. Seems like no matter where one goes, it all looks the same, thanks to the chain stores that every town seems to have. There is also a Salvation Army store close to the Walmart stating that it is the world's largest Salvation Army store. I chuckle that the two are so close together since I think they could be one and the same.
I see a church to my right. A denomination that I am not fimilar with. Each time I pass, I try to make a mental note to look it up, always forgetting the name each time. Once, my son noticed it too and commented the same thing that I have thought. I tell him I think they are a step up from being Amish in that they might have cars, electricity and such but have the same ridget, belief system, but that I'm not sure. David and I converse about religion and the reson for different faiths. I can't pass that church now without remembering our conversation but still can't remember their name.
I know I am close as I see the overpass that has the well kept grass and landscaping surrounding it. I wonder who maintains this so nicely and well. There isn't a brick, rock, or blade of grass out of place. Is it the city and if so how do they justify the expense for this kind of work? There is also a high school close to this exit, do they have a program where the students do this? And if so, how are they able to get the students off school property in order to do it? Naw it can't be the school, the liability alone would be a principal's nightmare. Maybe it's a well meaning civics group but do civics group do this sort of thing any more?
Thank goodness my exit is coming up, my mind needs a break from all these thoughts. Hubby thinks I think too much. Guess I have to agree...........