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Wednesday With Words

As one travels between Las Vegas and Phoenix, there is a spot in the Arizona desert where he may travel for miles without seeing any sign of human inhabitation beyond the road shimmering into the distance. Suddenly this weary and lonesome driver spots a road crossing sign. Civilization! His eyes search the horizon …

Into view comes a wide, four-lane cross street, stop signs optimistically standing guard in this vast nothingness. Still no other signs of human occupation exist beyond these bitumen lines in the sand. Yet there proudly stands a street sign proclaiming — testament to some man’s rueful faith — First Street.

Quilly is the pseudonym of Charlene L. Amsden, who lives on The Big Island in Hawaii. When she is not hanging out with Amoeba, she is likely teaching or sewing. Or she could be cooking, taking photographs, or even writing. But if she's not doing any of that, she's probably on Facebook or tinkering with her blog.

26 Comments

  4. Silver — if I have a car I trust, I don’t mind.

    Lori — don’t stop.

    Jenn — mine, too — but there’s never eally nothing, if one knows how to look.

  7. I remember that sign, Dean’s and my discovery of it, and yours and Betty’s a few years later! I’m betting it is still there, waiting with hopeful, anxious antisipation of that ‘1st house’ being built on First Steet in the middle of Nothing, Nowhere Mtn. Desert Nevada. It is eery all along there. With the knowledge of nuculer plants in them there hills you keep waiting for the 15 ft. tall green jack rabbit to come hopping out of the Nowhere, Nothing great beyond. Not a road I would wish to travel alone, daylignt or no. xooxo C

  8. Brian — streets are the true foundations of neighborhoods

    Amy — no way to get lost out there — flat forever and one road, until that cross street to nowhere.

    Caryl — I also remember when you and Dean discovered it because you called me on the phone to tell me about it. In fact, that memory went through my mind when I first saw this pic.

  9. Reading this post made me think of my drive to Calgary in 1996. In parts of Ontario along the North Shore of Lake Superior you’d drive for miles and see nothing. At times it was just, Roxy, Barney and me on the desolate stretch of Trans Canada Highway. Cell Phones had no signal for most of this part of the drive. Then all of a sudden you’d come across all these signs and you knew you were coming into civilisation.

    A wonderful day is wished for you.

  11. I must need a break from people/crowds for this sign looks good to me. I could have used it for halloween night when so many children came we ran out “absolutely nothing” as a matter of fact it would seem like a great idea to place outside today so as not to compete with the light brigade of the neighborhood! Simple, understated,popcorn on a string “these are a few of my favorite things!”

  12. Bill — I think there are more of these roads in the world then those of us who live in crowded cities might consider.

    Charlie — why does that not surprise me?

    Pauline — the prettiest Christmas tree I ever had was decorated in popcorn, crocheted granny squares, Christmas cards, and one meager string of lights.

  15. I think I remember the stretch you’re talking about from our drive a while ago. But we were so busy visiting it seemed to go by quickly. đŸ™‚

  18. Nessa — it does, doesn’t it> AND, as far as I know I am only me. Quilldancer or Quilldancer-Disciple. Is somebody impersonating me?

    Brooke — you’re right, we were probably yakking. You know, driving that car was a dream. I still want one!

    Chrissy — I do, too — and it is Thursday. I forgot to put the post up yesterday. You’re the only one who noticed!

  20. Nessa — yeah, I just looked — every comment on every beta blog I visited last night posted that way. Blogger did it, not me. It is good I haven’t been trying to keep my identity a secret, isn’t it?

  24. here i come all humble and shy to say thank you from the deepest part of me. this too shall pass and i we will be stronger for it. in the meantime, i have friends, wonderful souls like yours, that love me and make me feel God’s warmth and compassion. thank you so very much. for being you and for sharing it through your words, your prayers and your time, specially while your life is not so much roses right now. God Bless your heart friend.

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