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There was no camera. Oh the pity.
My daughter, Elizabeth, was running an errand down a two lane road and came upon a sight that took a couple of seconds of mental adjustment.
Behind a hefty pickup truck was a trailer and in that trailer was a very large hog. Hogs need to make it to market and this was not the first time, I would think, that this method of conveyance had been used.
"Now that's a road hog", Elizabeth thought and a great story to tell just as it was. The truck was rolling slowly and the trailer was only a little wobbly.
However, everything would change drastically.
The hog, unsecured and with too much room to roam, decided to move from the front to the back of his ride.
This tipped the little trailer back and pulled the hitch away from the truck.
Elizabeth slowed down her Jeep - but her mind was racing.
The back of the trailer dug into the road and the hog fell down, but not out onto the roadway.
The pickup driver slowed and the unhitched trailer and hog passed him.
It traveled only a little way and then left the roadway and ran into the woods. The hog then left the trailer.
The last thing Elizabeth saw was a hog farmer chasing a panicked, unlicensed trailer driver into the woods. Both were mobile and she saw no real damage to either.
I don't know of any great life lessons to be drawn from this experience except when moving a big hog, make sure that it can't cause a wreck, injure itself or others.
That would be a big waste of bacon, ribs and sausage.
Too bad that there wasn't a camera, but you have to love Elizabeth's funny hog story. © tim www.timjohnsonphoto.com
This past weekend my youngest grandchild turned 1 year old.
In this day and age this is not so remarkable, but in times past, infant mortality was such that to make it to the one-year mark was quite significant.
Tanner is a tiny little lad, but he does not know it. He is bouncier than Tigger and is a charmer with big blue eyes and a ready smile for just about anyone.
He is a Momma's boy. Elizabeth sort of enjoys that honor but is looking for the day that Tanner will easily share his company with others.
He stands, bounces and almost takes off walking, that is until he thinks about it and then he settles back down to the floora firma.
He is just as happy with packaging or his presents as he is with the electronics or the other things that came inside the boxes. He knows that buttons on the cable box, Wii, PS3, DVD, Alayna's assorted electronics and Craven's more advanced toys will get the whole family agitated and moving in his direction. He just knows that his action gets a BIG reaction.
He is a picky eater and still picks Mommy first. Cereals and other toddler tempting items are acknowledged but don't really pique his interest.
In some regards he is following his brother's example as a pass by eater. Craven snacks on things that are available on the edge of the table or counter.
So what if they grow up to be McEaters? Walk by and drive through are always going to be a part of their busy lives.
He is surrounded by older siblings and cousins – and a couple of dogs.
He has tried all their food – and McMom is still the best.
For me, the very best part of this young man is that he is not shy of the camera. I use the flash as little as possible and try to catch him in his natural cuteness.
His skin is flawless and he has the most beautiful eyes complete with long lashes. He share these with his Mommy, Auntie, sister and cousin Britni.
He hasn't figured out sleeping through the night, but that is a bit of revenge since his mother did not sleep through the night till she was 14 months old.
Tanner has been making the most of his days even without the benefit of Daylight Savings Time.
One of these days he will choose his own clothes. He will decide his favorite foods and even if he will be a fan of UNC, Duke, NC State or William and Mary. He will choose favorite colors, friends and books. He will gravitate toward certain subjects and worry his mother when he starts noticing girls.
Bless the mothers of all the girls in the Triangle.
Tanman is on his way. Five floppy steps at a time. © tim www.timjohnsonphoto.com
