During the summer of 1980, my dad and his brother, Uncle Ronnie, pooled their funds to buy a used blue go-kart for my sister and me to share with our three cousins, Steven, Angie, and Jason. Papaw made room in the garage for us to store the go-kart when we were off at our own homes. The go-kart was only for Galley Street. A two-seater, our little vehicle could get up to about 20 mph when pushed, so it was determined early on that my sister (Rae Ann, age 6) and youngest cousin, Jason (age 3), were too young to drive. They were only allowed to ride as passengers if one of the dads was driving.
Steven, Angie, and I took turns at the wheel…no lessons, no admonitions. We just hopped on, started it up, and took off. Steven was 11, Angie was 9, and I was 10.
Angie was the most daring driver, whipping around the only dangerous curve on Galley Street with the confidence of a Nascar racer. I was slow and steady, hands at 10 o’clock, 2 o’clock. Steven, oldest cousin and first grandson, put the pedal to the metal but had the good sense to slow down around the curves and stay on the right side of the road. We kicked up dust and racked up the miles as we traversed Galley Street from one end to the other and back again. Our grandparents’ street was only half a mile from the turn off Highway 15 to the dead-end just past Granny’s house, but each round trip yielded something new to see or a new adventure to imagine. We rode with the wind in our faces, no helmets, no seatbelts, no roll bar…just a couple of kids in an electric blue blur whizzing across the asphalt while the odd kid out waited patiently for a turn.
This month of writing reminded me of those blue go-kart days. In fact, “blue go-kart” is the first idea I wrote on my list of possible slices for March. I knew I had to write about it, but it took me until today to discover why the blue go-kart came to mind as soon as I committed to this writing journey. I was surprised to realize that riding that blue go-kart on Galley Street had a great deal in common with writing my slices on my Galley Street blog. Sometimes my ideas were fast and furious. Other days I struggled to pull the recoil starter rope. Occasionally, there were bumps in the road. Some days I puttered my way down the street, just happy to be along for the ride. Thanks to all of you who hopped in the passenger seat from time to time! I hope you had as much fun as I did.
18 responses to “Like a Blue Go-Kart on Galley Street”
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This is a beautiful slice and so fun to see the connections you made to slicing. Would you allow me to use it in my role as cheerleader of family stories? I try to send a monthly nudge to folks from my workshops who sign up for the email reminders. Your story is a wonderful example of a vivid, sensory remembrance ( “just a couple of kids in an electric blue blur whizzing across the asphalt) and shows what can be done in just a few paragraphs.
I’ve enjoyed your slices and comments this month. See you next Tuesday!-
Thanks, Ramona! Of course you may use this slice. Thank you for asking! I have loved reading and writing with you this month. I hope to check back in on Tuesdays.
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Great comparison of the go-kart and the Marc Challenge. We all traveled at different speeds this month, slow and steady, fast and furious, and we all made it. I have enjoyed reading your poste and appreciate all of the comments you left on mine.
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Thank you! If not for your help when I left off my comments section, I would have had several days with no comments at all. Thank you again. I’ve enjoyed reading and writing with you this month! Hope to read more of your slices on Tuesdays!
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Great to have such a fun comparison for our month of writing! It’s amazing to think of the freedom (and risks?) of our long ago childhoods. 🙂
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Thanks, Diane! That blue go-kart did involve some risk; and sometimes I feel like my writing does as well. Thank you for reading and commenting on my slice.
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The blue go-kart is an excellent metaphor for this month of writing, Lori. I’m so glad you joined us!
Thank you for being so gracious with your comments too!-
Thank you, Stacey! It’s been a pleasure.
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Lori,
I’m so glad you joined the SOLSC this year and hope you’ll return each Tuesday. We all have puttering days when our go karts stall. I’ve loved getting to know you through your slices and appreciate the generosity of your comments. I’m impressed you showed up given your surgery and your mom’s surgery. Devious up for more daily writing, join us on EthicalELA.com in April. Dr. Sarah Donovan has written a gorgeous introduction about the daily hosts. Some are from the TWT community and found their way to outer group via invitations such as this one. I’ll be hosting April 29, and I promise the prompt is true to me. LOL!-
Thanks, Glenda! I always wrote with my students; but I promised myself I’d focus on my writing in retirement. I’m definitely going to join in on Tuesdays, and I’m going to take a look at the poetry challenge. I appreciate the invitation!
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Lori, this brings back memories from my own childhood in Reynolds, Georgia when my dad was pastor there. There were kids that had go karts AND dune buggies, and they used to give rides around the block in the evenings. I love the wind in my hair, going fast, living carefree! What a wonderful memory you share here that takes us to our childhoods and memories of carefree days.
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Thanks, Kim! We always had fun on Galley Street.
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What a terrific metaphor for this writing challenge! Every day, the writing feels a little different, which I find so fascinating. Writing is so complex! I have so enjoyed your posts this month, and thank you for your lovely comments on my writing as well.
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Thank you so much! I hope to join in on Tuesdays.
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The go-kart metaphor is perfect. I’ve really enjoyed reading your writing this March, particularly sharing grandmother-hood. Your comments were always so welcoming and supportive. I really appreciate you and your writing. I didn’t realize it’s your first year. Hope to see you on a Tuesday. My best to you.
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Thank you! I sliced in 2016 and 2017, and then haven’t sliced again until this month. I’m so glad I found my way back.
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Ah, Lori, it was a delight to meet you here. I love the blue go-kart metaphor, and I loved sitting in your passenger seat occasionally this month. I’ll look forward to more rides in the future.
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Thank you, Denise! I enjoyed reading your slices. I’m planning to check in on Tuesdays. Hope to see you then.
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