I am a prairie girl. Born and raised in the flatlands of Saskatchewan, I learned early that there are and will be times when nature calls, and there are no “little girls rooms” available. So strategic bushes, deep grass, or even a round bale has been used for privacy when “I gotta pee!”.
Fast forward to adulthood. There are times...when traveling by car or motorcycle, when thus has required me to be fast, be brave, and no dilly dallying! Over the years I have become a speedy “goer”..when nature calls with no facilities in the middle of the prairie. But as age, my body is starting to protest. To ignore commands. To let me down..literally!
Flash back 2 yrs. we left our home in Milo to work in northern BC. A seemingly reliable renter was found, hubby found a great place to rent, and off we went. Then this past February our renter was moving out but failed to let us know! Thats a whole other story....long story short, we quickly realized two homes was more than we could handle, and we opted to return to our house in Alberta.
The move was on! Household packed, movers loaded, and with Hubby in truck and the cats and I in my wee car, ready for an 11 hr drive. First day, last minute packing and cleaning meant a late start, so once it started snowing, we found a motel that took pets, and stopped for the night. The next day, snow was letting up, some ice here and there....cold, wet.
Wait! I gotta pee! I called my hubby who pulled over on a wide shoulder. I pulled up behind, a little further right to provide some privacy. In my sandals and leggings, I found a good enuff spot beside the truck. Positioning myself beside the muffler, I checked for traffic...none. This was the spot. But noted as I commenced my “business “ my butt seemed to be sinking lower and lower. Now keep in mind Id just packed our house up over the past 5 weeks. Up and down stairs, squatting,
Ifting, reaching...not my normal activity level. So as I realized to my horror my butt was now way past the optimal lift-and-riseup... I couldn’t stand! Panic! Ok, self talk...you can do this...noooo..
🙏 oh God help me lift my ass, Im stuck! Legs trembling, I tried to boost myself by reaching back onto the wet muddy pickup, no good, Calling for Mac, I was right beside the exhaust. He couldn't hear me!
By this time traffic was passing, I did not care! This was serious, no way to stand up..My legs gave out and Plop there I was, bare assed in the wet, gravelly, muddy shoulder. Nearly in tears, I rolled onto all fours, elevated my bare road dirt covered derrière into the Muddy Camel yoga position, all this with my leggings around my ankles...at this point I seriously did not care who saw me. Raising myself, I managed to grab the side of our truck and pull myself to the window. Mac was shocked! He felt so bad, couldn’t hear me calling, I bravely said Ill be okay, then broke into big loud sobs. “This is so hard, its just so hard”.....
The realization that I couldn't do what I'd done since I could walk was horrifying! Humbling, embarrassing, scary! It had never ever happened before!
Once I got back to my car on shakey legs, I told myself Pull on your gravelly big girls panties, you can do this...then resumed driving with loud sobs, “its so hard, I need help” and prayed my way along the highway for the next 15 minutes. A few hours later, out of windshield washer, having to Go Again, we pulled into a gas station. Thankfully this one had a washroom available. My legs were still shaking, I could feel gravel and stones in my pants..sat down, and when I stood up, the seat was mud and sand! Finally got cleaned up, wiped off the messy seat, got a pop, and we resumed our treck south.
Its amazing, because of Covid 19 no restaurants or coffee shops were open. No place for a person to use the washroom. And man, now I know the value of a clean toilet to a woman over 60 when she has to go!
Wait! I gotta pee! I called my hubby who pulled over on a wide shoulder. I pulled up behind, a little further right to provide some privacy. In my sandals and leggings, I found a good enuff spot beside the truck. Positioning myself beside the muffler, I checked for traffic...none. This was the spot. But noted as I commenced my “business “ my butt seemed to be sinking lower and lower. Now keep in mind Id just packed our house up over the past 5 weeks. Up and down stairs, squatting,
Ifting, reaching...not my normal activity level. So as I realized to my horror my butt was now way past the optimal lift-and-riseup... I couldn’t stand! Panic! Ok, self talk...you can do this...noooo..
🙏 oh God help me lift my ass, Im stuck! Legs trembling, I tried to boost myself by reaching back onto the wet muddy pickup, no good, Calling for Mac, I was right beside the exhaust. He couldn't hear me!
By this time traffic was passing, I did not care! This was serious, no way to stand up..My legs gave out and Plop there I was, bare assed in the wet, gravelly, muddy shoulder. Nearly in tears, I rolled onto all fours, elevated my bare road dirt covered derrière into the Muddy Camel yoga position, all this with my leggings around my ankles...at this point I seriously did not care who saw me. Raising myself, I managed to grab the side of our truck and pull myself to the window. Mac was shocked! He felt so bad, couldn’t hear me calling, I bravely said Ill be okay, then broke into big loud sobs. “This is so hard, its just so hard”.....
The realization that I couldn't do what I'd done since I could walk was horrifying! Humbling, embarrassing, scary! It had never ever happened before!
Once I got back to my car on shakey legs, I told myself Pull on your gravelly big girls panties, you can do this...then resumed driving with loud sobs, “its so hard, I need help” and prayed my way along the highway for the next 15 minutes. A few hours later, out of windshield washer, having to Go Again, we pulled into a gas station. Thankfully this one had a washroom available. My legs were still shaking, I could feel gravel and stones in my pants..sat down, and when I stood up, the seat was mud and sand! Finally got cleaned up, wiped off the messy seat, got a pop, and we resumed our treck south.
Its amazing, because of Covid 19 no restaurants or coffee shops were open. No place for a person to use the washroom. And man, now I know the value of a clean toilet to a woman over 60 when she has to go!
