The Test

You know, sometimes it’s really a challenge to find something interesting to write about that will grab the reader’s attention, and right now I’m in that mode! It seems my mailbox is full of letters from all sorts of organizations pleading for money, but then again, so is the TV – every program shows animals, dogs, cats, dolphins, bears, sick children, old folks, homeless folks, political organizations, churches, etc., each pleading for money, and we get them CONSTANTLY Now I’d love to help everyone, but I’m on a very fixed senior income. And first I must pay my bills. Then I have commitments that I must honor. And of course there is A/C, water and food to survive that must be addressed. I have nowhere to look for all those extra dollars! So I have to pass and not let them tug at my heartstrings. I’m sure many of you are also in that same boat. I’m not drowning, just afloat. If I happen to be lucky to have a few extra dollars, I want it to go where it really might help my family or my friends. Maybe others, like me occasionally, walk away from the TV while the ads are showing, rather than trying to make me feel guilty. Just saying!

You probably know that last year I had a very bad fall on my head. There was a lot of healing to go through, but here I am on the other side of the healing, and actually doing well, but the State wants to test you to see if you can meet their requirements to drive safely, so last week was the test. I was kind of nervous a month ago when I went to register for the test and the man said, “have you studied the book?” What book, I asked? He suggested “Ma’am you need to read the book before trying to take the test.” Oops! I didn’t know about a book, so he got one for me to take home and study, and it was NOT an easy book to read or to study, but l took it very seriously and read every page in that book (about 100) and then reread it the next week. WOW, there was a lot to read and to understand! Then I put it aside and went back again and read parts of it and then highlighted the parts I felt were urgent to know. So last week I wanted to make an appointment, but they do not take appointments, so I asked what time of day and what days are better to take the test. They suggested the morning and not on Monday or Friday. Now I was nervous, but I went to the Driver’s License Bureau and checked in. I had no idea how busy these people were! The place was filled with people from all walks of life, and the employees were as nice and respectful as could be. They helped each person and were always very professional. If I were that busy and had all those people crowded into the room, I don’t know how I would handle it, but I was so impressed with their attitude toward everyone. People were carrying babies, or in their work clothes, or under pressure, but it NEVER showed, and I was watching! There were many parts to the extensive test, including an eye check, automobile test, written test (on a computer) and then an actual driving test where they ask you to perform things you read in the book. Again, professionalism was the rule of the day. I can’t say one bad word about that process. It was done perfectly. I had to perform all the movements mentioned in the book, and some three different times (I’d like to add that the State really needs to update their computers. They were so slow, and that took up valuable time from the timed test).

• Thursday, February 16 is the next East Naples Civic and Commerce Meeting, and their speaker will be Dan Kowal, one of the newest elected commissioners, sitting in my old seat. It will be interesting to hear what he has to say, and to ask questions, because not many people know him yet. The meeting starts at 11:30 AM at The Players Club in Lely Resort. Lunch is served at Noon. We are finished by 1:00 PM. You will meet many people who live in East Naples and are very active in the community. Last month the room was filled. I’d like to run out of room this week, just so we make a statement! I hope we see you at the luncheon.