I already told you about how I go on auto-pilot when doing routine things at home. Well, now it seems there are times I can’t remember whether I am riding my bicycle, or driving a car.
One afternoon I was driving along the freeway (in my car, not on the bike), heading south toward home. After I took my usual exit toward our little town, I found the access to the road I needed was temporarily blocked. Since I bicycle the area, I knew I could make a U-turn, go back north about a mile, and follow the backroads until I was on course again.
I maneuvered around, drove north on the feeder road, turned right and bumped across the railroad tracks. After a couple more turns I was going south again toward our little highway. Soon I came to the intersection where, if I had been bicycling, I would have turned left to avoid the highway traffic. Of course, since I was in the car, I didn’t need to worry about getting run over, so I would just go straight.
The car turned left, seemingly of its own willpower.
Okay, fine. This will take me a mile out of my way, but then when I finally get to the highway, I’ll turn onto it. Because I’m in the car. Not on the bike. It’s okay to drive the car on the highway.
I pulled up at the stop sign at the highway, turn signal blinking. After carefully looking both ways, I crossed the highway, staying on the little asphalt road instead of turning. Sheesh, here we go again.
Eventually I got home, but that is how I managed to fit a 10-minute drive into 20. All that cornering around pastures, up hill and down dale along narrow blacktop roads. Just because once I got on a familiar bike route, I could not get my brain out of bike mode.
Does anyone else find it hard to tame their inner “creature of habit?”
Thanks for reading!
Tailwinds,
Jan
PS: I am linking up with Rachel Anne and the Company Girls today. Feel free to stop by for a cup of virtual coffee!
Jan C Johnson, Writer 
I, too, am a creature of habit but for me it’s all about timing.
Leave the house around 620am so I can listen to the next chapter on Book Radio.
Arrive at work at 7 and start showprep; into the studio for the show, lunch at 1130, production meeting on Tuesday’s, start P&W at 7pm on Wed and 11am on Sunday…. on and on…
Put me in for the early morning show folks and my day is out of kilter.
A bit late starting for church…out of kilter.
It can physically affect a person and make one sick!
I think patience is the key for me; calm down and go with the flow.
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Hey, Tim, I see what you mean about timing. Unusual or unscheduled changes in my routine can throw me for a loop, too.
Blessings!
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Jan! You are such a talented writer! Only you could take a mundane car drive and “turn” it into poetry! (pun intended) Love you, friend!!! ❤
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Thanks so much, “Anonymous!”
LOVE the pun… puns are a weakness of mine…
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My husband is very much a creature of driving habit!! Do you know where you are going? Umm…no I don’t…. is a very often scenario when we are going new places!!!
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Hi, Kathleen! As long as he knows he is in the car, he’s ahead of me!
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My problem is that sometimes I get where I am going and wonder how I got there. Is it age? Distractedness? Texting while driving? It’s a mystery. Loved this, Jan. Also, am planning to come to prayer breakfast that you’ll be speaking at! Yay!
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Yes, I’ve had those time when I would be driving and suddenly realize I couldn’t remember the last few miles. You’d better NOT be texting, Girl! I really look forward to seeing you at the prayer breakfast.
Love ya!
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