Happy 4th of July!!

While I was literally sitting on our friends dock thinking to myself how different my life would be if we were not celebrating this holiday - if it had never happened. Repeat after me - Hello Queen.

While I was contemplating my life as a brit, some stupid drunk was busy stealing our Kawasaki Mule out of Heather and Terry's driveway. He took it for quite the joy ride and eventually crashed into a tree, which is were we found it a little worse for wear.

As we were driving back, or attempting to (turning right was an issue since the brush guard is now pushed into the tire, the neighbor and his son are walking up the street with a flashlight, sad faces and the tinge of pink that accompanies embarrassment. It was their guest that had stolen the mule. They gave us his name and said that he had fled on foot and they were trying to locate him.

After some discussion and several curse words, the sheriff was called. While we were waiting, the joy rider, was brought back and tearfully explained "I did something bad, I know that". At 22, he is right on the cusp on clearly knowing right from wrong, but has he gotten out all of the hormonal angst that evidently accompanies young men through young adult hood? Uhh - NO, would be the answer.

When he arrives in the back of the neighbor's pickup, his older brother spends a few moments SCREAMING at him and encouraging him to "BE A MAN AND OWN UP TO WHAT YOU DID".


When I finally approached him:
Shelly: YM (young man, I know his name, but best not to put out there) are you hurt?
YM: No ma'am (snivvling)
Shelly: Are you sure?
YM: Yes ma'am
Shelly: I need for you to come talk to me and my husband so we can figure out what we are going to do.
YM: Yes ma'am

Where he proceeds to tell us he couldn't figure out how to turn on the lights

Sheriff arrives, asks if we want to take him "behind the woodshed" - Tony replies, "No, I don't want you taking ME to jail" and the questions begin. Due to the value of the Mule (it the big 4 seater) - young man is escorted to Parker County jail on a felony arrest.

Next morning, in the light of day, we see where things went horribly wrong on his joy ride. Evidently, he came screaming off the top of a hill, took a 90 degree turn too sharp, bumped along side the road in the ditch - through some bamboo, across the road and WHAM!!! straight into the tree. The hill - VERY STEEP. I almost dropped to my knees in gratitude that he did not roll that vehicle and kill himself. It could have turned a situation into a tragedy. Fortunately for him, he stole a mule with a brush guard that kept him from taking the full force of impact on plastic.

Almost $1000.00 in damages and court date yet to be set. Will keep you posted on the outcome, but would like something positive to come of this for this young man. Awfully young to have a felony conviction for one stupid drunk mistake (as long as this is not a habit - his record will tell me that)

So, stay tuned...trying to find the bright side.