Back in the 80's Truett and I went to a Jimmy Buffet concert in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania with our stained glass friends. After several beers, we enjoyed the music and it was finally time to board the bus home. So all of our Stained Glass of America friends loaded the bus, with a few strangers to boot.
Well, the next thing I knew, a twenty-something year-old punk sat behind me and Truett. And then the punk lit up a cigarette...on the bus! I was appalled. Even though I was still a smoker at that time; and being a teacher, I knew the rules. Plus, signs were clearly posted on the front of the bus: NO SMOKING!
Way too many years of teaching and following the rules interfered with my common sense...or maybe lack of. I stood up, whipped my head around, snapped my finger, and said, "Put out that cigarette right now! You know the rules!"
Good Lord. I was oblivious to the tattoos decorating this young man's arms. I was oblivious to the danger I could have put myself in. But, the young man, after hearing the snap of my fingers, said, "Yes, Mam!"
Now adults remember me by my SNAP!
He dobbed the cigarette out on the floorboard and then I said, "Give it to me!" He did and I immediately tossed it out of the bus window.
In the meantime, all of the professional stained glass studio owners, artists, and operators fell in complete silence. Were they afraid of the kid with the cigarette? No... I found out later they were afraid of the snap of my fingers when I said, "Put that out NOW!"
I love you guys. Thank goodness for beer because I would probably have not had enough courage to do what I did...or maybe not enough stupidity.
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