Do not step on the same rake twice

Do not step on the same rake twice
               
These words came to my mind after a wonderful vacation at the ocean, which our children and my husband had arranged for us. We were very excited to go to the famous Myrtle Beach. I put my bathing accessories and clothes in my suitcases the night before we left because I had been afraid that something would have prevented us from making it. And then came the long-awaited Monday morning.
My husband put everything into our car; I got in and sat in the passenger seat, excited. Hooray—my dream would soon come true!
The drive to the ocean was relatively clear. We decided to stop at the Myrtle Beach Visitors Center to eat some popcorn and ask about the nearby attractions. We were offered free concert tickets, but were asked to show our driver’s licenses, which replace passports in America.
I got my ID, but my husband hesitated. I checked my pockets. I ran into the car—they were nowhere! But the sales agent asks us, “ And what documentation do you have to prove that you are married? Maybe you had just on the street—maybe this man is your friend? Show me both your documents!” This was told to us—who would have been celebrating our 50th anniversary in just a year! Anyway, we left there without getting anything.
We did not end up seeing a free concert, but in a purse, which (we were hoping) was left at home, we had left our drivers licenses, credit cards, and money... we grew very worried. I carefully examined the contents of my wallet, found one credit card in my name and a total of $24! In addition, I always carried a checkbook with me.
Our mood worsened, but there was nothing to do—we must continue! My vision had recently gotten worse, and I try not to drive that much... so we drove very carefully and safely arrived at the hotel.
It's time to tell why I used the proverb about the rake. The fact is that my husband's wallet was already at home when we had gone to Florida to visit our friends—and we discovered this when we were two hours from our destination and four hours from home!
After we had returned from that trip to Columbia, I would asked each time we left the house whether my husband had taken with him our documents and wallet. And on this fateful day (again a Monday!) I forgot to ask, convinced that everything would be just fine.
Now I recall the words of Julius Fuchik: “People, be vigilant!”
And I—how silly of me—had forgotten about this important reminder and paid the price!
So, we had started our little vacation with a bit of trouble. When we’d arrived at the hotel, we couldn’t check-in because the rooms hadn’t been paid in full on Marina’s (daughter in low) credit card.
And that’s where my credit card came in handy—hooray! How lucky it was that I took it with me. In short, we spent four wonderful days swimming, splashing, and enjoying the holidays!
I also realized that I forgot to bring a toothbrush and sunscreen!
I cooked and brought food with me, so that we didn’t waste time looking for food on vacation. Therefore, on the morning of the second day, I gladly ate the groceries that had I bought a few days before at a specialty Russian food store. After a couple of hours, I had a pain in my stomach; it lasted for a couple more hours. Everything ended well. The next day, I ate the same food again, and the pain came back…
How could I go on without retelling a famous anecdote! An old granny was brought into the hospital with food poisoning. The doctors saved her and sent her home. The next day, the doctor sees the same old woman in the waiting room!
He says, “Yesterday we saved you from food poisoning from mushrooms—what’s happened this time?”
The woman replies: “Well, I finished eating the mushrooms—I couldn’t throw them away!”
That’s what I had done, too. We had even gone to a new restaurant for dinner (again, with my credit card!)
On the last day, we decided to drive to a nearby city, which is considered the third-oldest one in America. We went on a little walk there and then went home.
The road to Columbia was not very interesting. Our GPS took us along small roads, past fields and plantations.
I would like to say that the trip ended well, but it didn’t quite turn out that way. On the way, I had dropped my phone twice, but thank God it did not break!
Then we got home, where it was calm and quiet. How nice it is to sleep on your own bed, with your own pillow!
The next morning, my husband unlocked his car and gasped. Our documents—like our insurance and registration—were scattered throughout the car. Sometimes, we keep a few extra dollars in the car, but they were missing!
So, one of us forgot to lock the car, and, shall we say, a curious person climbed in and stole our money!                Thank goodness at least that the car was not stolen! After that, we always remembered to lock our car!
As the Jewish proverb says: “thank you for taking the money!”
Now it should be clear, why I used the proverb about the rake! It turns out that the proverb has a continuation.
Don’t step on the same rake twice… Try stepping on new ones!