tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6236818078482978377.post782858873593528738..comments2024-03-10T23:40:49.768-05:00Comments on Bells A Ringing: Pro SpottingSouthern Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04847654788277662652noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6236818078482978377.post-7491360316486880012015-12-19T00:42:59.647-06:002015-12-19T00:42:59.647-06:00In the 1970s as a teenager I surfed a lot. One fi...In the 1970s as a teenager I surfed a lot. One fine day I was faced with the decision of whether to quench my ravenous hunger or buy gas for the trip home. Having filed my belly I stood outside a convenience store for gas money. I simply said I needed gas money...no sad sack story, no pleading. In 20 minutes I had enough change to buy what I needed. But so surprised by the rapidity of amassing a good income I lingered until I became consumed with guilt (about another 40 minutes).<br /><br />That experience made a huge impact on my life as evidenced that I can recall it so well these many decades later. The lesson I learned was Americans are very charitable. And there are many folk looking to capitalize on that charity. <br /><br />I figure if one is to put themselves in that place along the roadbed, they have sucked up whatever humility they had. Therefore, they deserve something. However, I have learned to be even more discerning in my charitable giving. I've been pelted with store bought food I gave away because they wanted alcohol instead. I have been threated with a knife in my side for not giving as much as they thought I had. those and a few other similar experiences have also taught me. <br /><br />My most favorite was the obviously homeless guy who picked me out of a mass of Christmas shoppers to give me the speech about how his car 'blew up'. I queried if his car actually blew up. Yes, blew up. Like a bomb exploded? (me waving with my hands) like parts lying all over the place?<br /><br />Yes! he replied. Imagine how loud his protestations as I walked away thanking him for a good story. He even asked me to write him a check. And, I kid you not, that since I will be writing him a check I should write it for a large amount, oh say, $500. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com