Grits

As I was getting ready for work, I remembered that I had not written a DART-Tales entry recently. I reasoned it was because I had not actually witnessed anything lately about which I felt compelled to write. However, little did I know, things were about to change...

The last person to board the bus I was riding that morning was a man who sat in one of the aisle-facing seats. I sat in one of the first row front facing seats. Besides a duffel bag, he carried a small Styrofoam container. I figured he must have his breakfast or a snack of some kind.  As the bus takes off, he whips out a fork, opens his container and starts eating—grits! Yep—grits!!

Now let me just say that I absolutely LOVE grits! I grew up in the south—so for me, nothing is better than a bowl of hot grits, with butter and salt (none of that sugar stuff that Texans are famous for!). Of course, if you throw on some nicely seasoned shrimp in a nice garlic butter sauce that takes it to another level! Now, there are "No Eating" signs on DART buses and trains; but the brother blew that to the wind and dug in like he as at his mom’s kitchen table!

I should probably interject a prayer for forgiveness here, because as he was eating, I was definitely lusting for a Styrofoam container of my own. He ate several forks full of the grits and closed the container. I was glad that distraction ended. However, I know they must have been good, because after about 10 minutes, he opened the container again and went in for the kill!

I quickly realized that the grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup I had for dinner the night before was long gone and I was hungry! He ate a few more forks full then closed the container again.  Now I am praying—not for forgiveness, but that he does not torture me by opening that darn container a third time! By now, I am actually staring at him…and he’s oblivious to my stares because he’s staring at the grits!

We made it to downtown and he got off the bus at Main & Lamar and headed towards the DART rail. I figure he would definitely finish them off if riding the train to his destination. By the time he arrived, the grits would simply be a memory!

I rarely get breakfast from the restaurant in my building. However, as I entered the building that morning, I made a beeline for the escalator—and the restaurant. I was hoping (no praying) they had grits on the menu…

I always welcome your feedback and comments. Please continue to share your thoughts with me and post a comment below on this blog site. Of course, I appreciate comments on Facebook too.

It Could Have Been Me...or You

I originally posted the tale below on Facebook on March 31, 2014, and with the recent death of Robin Williams it came to mind. All of us tether in the balance of sanity--seriously! Our mental health is just as important as our physical health and can often have adverse affects on our bodies. If you or someone you love has a heart attack, or stroke you would seek medical attention. Yet we often choose to ignore the signs and symptoms of issues with our mental health or that of a loved one. We are often paralyzed by the stigma of shame and it keeps us from seeking the help needed. Be alert and vigilant, watch for signs and, if necessary, help those you care about when it comes to mental and physical health issues. It can possibly save a life...

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This evening a lady got on the bus from downtown to Glenn Heights. We're an express to the park & ride so there are no stops after downtown. She was sitting beside me. I noticed she started looking around frantically. All of a sudden she starts yelling out--"Where is the bus going?"...she wants to to get off when we tell her it's going to Glenn Heights. She became pretty hysterical and started crying. She said she only wanted to go to a Walmart--and didn't want to leave Dallas. She demanded to get off and the driver told her he couldn't stop on the freeway.

When we got to Glenn Heights and everyone started to get off she got even more frantic. The driver told her he would take her back where she could get another bus in Dallas. It took several of us to coax her back on the bus. She was crying like a baby.

I know the driver would have normally been going to turn in his bus but knew she needed help. I'm grateful he agreed to took her where she wanted to go. The last time I witnessed a lady stranded, the driver wouldn't take her back downtown. (I ended up taking her to the train station!). It seemed pretty apparent this poor lady is probably dealing with some mental health issues. I pray she will get to her destination safely. It really makes you not take "being in your right mind" for granted!

Mental health issues are very real and deserve attention. It is sad that society has stigmatized this condition to the point we stick our heads in the sand and act as if it does not exist. Become proactive today...seek and provide assistance for help, when needed.

I always welcome your feedback and comments. Please continue to share your thoughts with me and post a comment below on this blog site. Of course comments on Facebook are appreciated too.

A Rose By Any Other Name...

On Wednesday, as I was waiting for the bus and looking at something on my phone, I caught a whiff of a VERY sweet (almost sickening) floral aroma. Since I had been standing at the bus stop for several minutes by myself, I looked up and saw this guy standing about six feet from me. I thought surely that can't be this guy--smelling like an over-producing rose garden! Since there are several rose bushes planted near the bus stop, I actually looked to see if that was what I was smelling, but they were no longer blooming. It was THAT guy! I wondered where on earth he had been, and if someone had run him off because he was so pungent!

Sidebar: I know this is a real throwback, but if you're old enough to remember 1970s Avon fragrances like "Cotillion" and this other stuff they used to sell in a white and pink can that had the heaviest rose smell I can imagine.  I don't think it was even cologne, but we had a neighbor who wore it like cologne--and it was HIDEOUSLY strong!! That's what this guy reminded me of! If any of you remember what it was called, please do me a favor and let me know.

So this dude--was short of stature, dressed in a New York jersey of some sort, with jeans and sneakers on. He had on studs in both ears, and two large rings on each hand. He even had on a chain with two even larger rings hanging from the chain.  I couldn't help think how massive those two rings were, and thought, surely they must be "spoils of war" and he was undoubtedly the victor (despite his short stature--flashback to David and Goliath!). I also couldn't help but wonder if we were waiting on the same bus. I sure hoped not, because DART drivers tend to run the A/C year round--and one driver said it is because of all the perfumes and odors they are subjected to, they have to keep the air circulating. If he gets on a bus, the temp is going to sub-zero!!

As other riders approached, I noticed they were all looking...and seemingly trying to figure out where that smell was coming from. All I could do was think, "It's not me!!" But old boy whipped out his phone, and called some female and started pacing amidst those of us waiting.  It was almost funny because he was "lost" in his conversation, and I could see the faces of folks as they realized--"It's you, smelling like that!"

I only caught bits and pieces of the conversation, but he was telling the lady on the phone how special she was--"You know you're my special lady." "Naw, I just wanted to hear your voice." "I'm waiting on the next bus, but I might just miss it, because my phone always dies on the bus and I just want to talk to you." That last sentence...music to my ears!!! Heck I don't even know if he was waiting on the 206, but I had a glimmer of hope with that last statement!

Shortly after (and he's still on the phone), the 206 turns the corner of Field Street and heads up San Jacinto. All of the regular 206 riders get in line to board and everyone (and I mean everyone) was looking back at him to see if he was boarding!

He didn't...by this time he was quite comfortable in the little covered bus stall--just talking to his lady. And I just want to send a shout-out and a great big thank-you to whomever he was in deep conversation with on that phone!! The regular 206 passengers owe you one sister!

I always welcome your feedback and comments. Please continue to share your thoughts with me and post a comment below on this blog site. Of course comments on Facebook are appreciated too.

Book Publishing and Teeth Whitening

As I waited for my bus yesterday, I noticed a guy sitting under the covered shelter watching me.  We were the only two at the stop at the time.  We made eye contact (something my daughter is always telling me NOT to do!), and he said “Hello.”  He was a little tattered in his appearance and I suspected that while he may not have been homeless, he was a little down on his luck. He also looked strangely familiar. I responded to his greeting and then he asked, “Hey, you got a twenty on you?” I actually looked around, because I was certain someone else must have walked up behind me. He said, “I’m talking to you. You got a twenty?” I laughed and said, “Twenty dollars? No, I don’t.” Then he said, “Why you laughing? See, I’m trying to get this book I wrote published, and I need some financing.” (Then I remembered why I recognized him!)

Sidebar: Probably over a year ago, this SAME GUY asked me for “some money” to help with the printing of a book he’d written! At that time he went plum off on me, and I just went plum off back on him! (In hindsight, probably not the smartest response.) I remember how it really ticked me off that he acted so entitled and told me I wasn’t supportive of his efforts, as if I was a long lost spouse or relative. I thought surely this same guy isn’t still trying to run this game—or maybe he does have a book to be published. But today I still wasn’t feeling like a benefactor—and I didn’t have twenty bucks on me anyway!

When I laughed, he said, “You sure got some pretty teeth. All white-like” This comment threw me for a loop, and I just said, “Thanks.” He said, “Yeah, I’m gonna get me some teeth whitening too. Gonna have a nice smile just like you.” I smiled (showing no teeth this time). He got up and left, walking down the street…I suspect still looking for a benefactor…for his book and his teeth-whitening project.

I always welcome your feedback and comments. Please continue to share your thoughts with me and post a comment below on this blog site. Of course, comments on Facebook are appreciated too.

The Launch of DART-Tales

Welcome to DART-Tales! After a little “gentle persuasion,” I’ve decided to chronicle some of my thoughts and experiences on public transportation during my daily commute to work. This is one of the easier endeavors I’ve undertaken since the material for this blog is literally handed to me…people will just be people. All you have to do is sit back and observe!

From time to time, I may publish previous DART-Tales (mostly as a means of cataloging my experiences and during times the people watching action is slow.) So with that being said, following is a new entry for this blog. Hope you enjoy the experiences and thanks for the "push."

I always welcome your feedback and comments. Please continue to share your thoughts with me and post a comment below on this blog site. Of course, comments on Facebook are appreciated too.