Noir Storm

Every day gets painted into our memories of life. Whether it is a recent event or long ago, I like to look back once in a while and reminisce events. Adding a little touch of noir adds to each recollection.

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My regular day:

The day started slow as I got out of bed already thinking about the forecast. I approached the day with some reluctance, but with definite resolve. I worked late with the knowledge that another long day was upon me. Dawn’s early light broke through the clouds and I enjoyed a much-needed cup of coffee.

My granddaughter needed a ride to a neighboring city and I was happy to help. As we prepared for the trip, the sky seemed to mirror my own mixed emotions, shining brightly despite being surrounded by dark clouds.

We embarked on our journey soon after and the growing brightness of the day gave me hope. The roads were busy and we listened to music as a congested road stretched before us. The initial tussle with traffic soon gave way to open lanes as the city limits faded behind us. The highway stretched out and we were off, chasing the horizon. Small towns appeared like islands in a sea of asphalt, requiring us to slow down to a frustrating 15mph. Of course, once we cleared the last road at the outskirts of town, we quickly advanced to the posted 85mph. (zoom!)

A few hours later, we arrived at our destination and I bid my granddaughter a fond farewell before searching for the nearest gas station. I thought about stopping for breakfast as I pulled into Buc-ee’s and topped off the tank. The dark clouds closing in made up my mind and as soon as my car was full, I drove on, unaware I would be facing the storm head-on.

The roads curved and twisted as I approached the dark highway ahead and watched as a wall of rain approached. In seconds, the rain hit the car like a barrage of tiny pebbles. My focus on the road ahead became a challenge as the wipers sped from side to side, barely maintaining visibility.

The road was now more of a faint outline as I gripped the wheel and fought the constant push of the wind that shifted my car from side to side. Sideways rain was an odd sight to see when the gusts became especially intense and I did my best to maintain forward momentum, knowing stopping was not an option.

Finally, a half hour into the tempest, the rain subsided and I caught a glimpse of sunlight. The rain didn’t completely stop but after a few more miles, it slowed to more manageable levels. At the last leg of the trip, the raindrops slowed enough that I could hear the car’s engine humming its familiar tune and I knew the worst was over.

Once home, I had a much-needed breakfast, enjoying a second cup of coffee before taking inventory of my exhaustion. The hours spent on the road were tense and I opted for a restful nap. It became clear as I felt the warm embrace of sleep take hold that no matter what storms life throws our way, our determination and resolve ensures life will always be an adventure.

Onwards! +

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My Noir Day:

The day crept in slow, like a cat burglar on a quiet night, as I rolled out of bed, my mind already tangled in the forecast’s predictions. Reluctance wrapped around me like a heavy coat, but I shook it off, determined. Last night’s late hours echoed in my bones, a prelude to another long grind ahead. As dawn’s first light cut through the clouds, I found solace in a steaming cup of coffee.

My granddaughter needed a lift to a nearby city, and I was more than willing to oblige. As we prepped for the drive, the sky mirrored my mixed feelings, brightening despite the encroaching dark clouds.

We hit the road, the growing light of day casting a hopeful glow. Traffic was a beast, music our only companion as we crawled through the congestion. But soon, the city limits faded in the rearview, the highway stretched before us like a promise. Small towns punctuated our journey, forcing us to a frustrating 15 mph. Yet once past their confines, we rocketed up to 85 mph, chasing the horizon.

Hours later, we arrived, and I bid my granddaughter farewell. I hunted for a gas station and found Buc-ee’s, topping off the tank. Dark clouds loomed, urging me to skip breakfast and press on, unaware of the storm lying in wait.

The highway twisted and turned, and soon, a wall of rain descended. The deluge struck like a barrage of pebbles, my vision blurred as the wipers raced. The road turned into a ghostly outline, and I fought the wind’s grip, pushing my car from side to side. Sideways rain lashed against the windows, but stopping was a luxury I couldn’t afford.

Half an hour into the tempest, the rain eased, revealing a sliver of sunlight. The storm’s fury waned, and with each mile, the rain dwindled. Nearing the end of my journey, the raindrops became sparse, and the familiar hum of the engine returned. The worst was over.

Back home, I indulged in a much-needed breakfast and a second cup of coffee, feeling the exhaustion seep in. The tension of the road faded as I surrendered to a nap. As sleep’s warm embrace took hold, it became clear: no matter the storms life throws our way, our determination and resolve turn every day into an adventure.

Onwards! +