Deanne, our tour guide, just
informed us that Newtonmore, in which we are currently driving, is the
geographical center of Scotland. We checked into the Highlander Hotel, and
feasted on a spread of sliced beef and broiled salmon.
As I stood
up to leave the restaurant, I stepped backwards from the table, and realizing
there was a ceiling to wall curtain behind me leaned slightly into it;
expecting there to be a supporting wall behind it. (I was sadly mistaken). I
found myself falling backwards into thin air. Realizing my calamitous
predicament, my wife emitted a loud scream.
You’ve seen
one of those commercials in which the guy is walking through a bunch of folks
who are unmoving, and seem to be frozen in place? I picture the scene in the hotel restaurant very much the same way. Well over a hundred men and women frozen in
place, and looking in our direction.
Thankfully,
I righted myself. (Perhaps the result of plenty of practice while working at
UPS, and falling off bicycles). At any rate, the curtain bore the brunt of it,
and I managed to tear the hem a bit at the ceiling. The near accident averted,
I smiled sheepishly, looked over at a nearby table, at which was seated several
of our group members, and I …snapped out a military salute!
Counting the
two songs I have been privileged to sing to our group during this overseas
tour, I suppose I will be referring to this mishap as my “Third Presentation”
a.k.a. “Oh So Close to Falling on my Butt Presentation.” And whereas, my wife made videos of the first
two renditions, I would rather have had one of my momentary mishap. I think it
would be a hoot.
When it is “all said and done,” I hope no one thought I had
partaken of a wee bit too much of the Guinness or Scottish whisky that night; (since I hadn't touched the stuff).
At any rate, it isn’t the first time I’ve made a fool of myself in public. Almost a year later, I expect that curtain still bears the mark of my passing.
From "Returning in Their Place" daily journal. By William McDonald, PhD. Copyright Pending
If you would like to share, copy or save, please include the credit line, above
No comments:
Post a Comment