Sincerely Yours, Jumana Swindler
contributing writer
Follow the Instructions
“I can’t change the direction
of the wind, but I can adjust
my sails to always reach my
destination.”
~Jimmy Dean
Yep. Mr. Dean made more than just sausages, he made
sense. And I agree with that quote. His saying coincides
with what I call my Four R’s of tackling certain construction
projects. Readjust, reinvent, reconfigure and sometimes
even recreate the whole darn thing is what I do to reach
my goal - - especially if it’s putting something together by
116
having to follow written directions. “Requires Assembly”
resembles Glamping (Glamorous Camping). So I see this
out. In six, yes easy steps, he unfolded my bike, and even
or “easy to follow instructions” are not my forté.
cute little fold up bike, it’s a pretty little red thing, its pe-
untangled the kickstand out of the spokes. I quickly told
Surely you must know that some of my classmates and
tite enough to plop in the RV, fold and go. And, it’s part
him I thought the salesman had made that mess when
former teachers have called me bright over the years. While
of the blow-out end of summer “Camper’s Delite” sale.
putting my purchase in the car. My new FBF (folding bike
I didn’t profess to have the highest wattage as the other
The sign above the display of these shiny two wheelers
friend) quickly rushed back to his steaks.
bulbs in my honors classes, my grades were above aver-
(and they were sooooo shiny) said they were 40 percent
Needless to say, my folding bike remains unfolded for
age. What I seemed to lack in common sense, I made up
off and easy to use. I bought it. Little did I know what the
future trips. “So why didn’t you just buy a regular bike,”
with book knowledge by reading