COLUMN: Don’t forget to find a take a break, we may all need one

It was great to see the balloons go up for the fun flight Friday of the Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon days. Unfortunatley the ideal weather didn’t last the rest of the weekend when other flights were scheduled.

I was needed to help cover Murray’s homecoming game and coronation that Friday for Osceola’s paper. Candra, our Osceola editor, had a family event already planned. Driving east east of town I could still see a balloon or two from my rearview mirrors. I then wondered what westbound traffic was thinking if they saw the balloons and if not from the area and didn’t know what was happening.

With the election weeks away, people still wondering about inflation, spring storm recovery or your NFL team is off to a poor start, maybe the balloons were a moment of escape from the stress and struggles from life. I know it was for me. I saw several of the balloons fly northbound while standing in the office parking lot preparing to head to Murray. I didn’t care about who was going to win in November, a favorite breakfast cereal cost 90 cents more than it did six months ago and the Titans are the 33rd best team in the NFL.

We all need a healthy, mental escape from time to time. Make sure you have one, or two, especially for the next five weeks - at least. Sunsets can be the same as those hot air balloons. Just make sure you have a clear view of one. I remember as a kid, my neighbor had easy access to his roof which was a perfect spot to watch. If you’re an early morning person, sunrises could work too.

Unfortunately, that Friday’s weather during balloon days didn’t continue for the scheduled flights the rest of the weekend as we did get a taste of fall, which still hasn’t arrived. Watching soybean harvest Monday in 80-plus degree weather on Sept. 30 is not seasonal.

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If you’re car shopping, a valuable and informative piece of information is from people who own the same make and model you are interested. Finding those owners while filling up at a gas station is an ideal setting. Before I go any further, those in car sales should know the important or unique features of cars too. They are still a good resource.

It’s a different vibe asking the same questions to people who own the car in a place where they might not expect such answers. It seems every make and model of a car has a website dedicated to owners who share their advice and experiences. Those sites have value, too, but you take a risk of not having your question answered or answered completely. There is no guarantee someone will respond to your inquiries.

I understand the chances of seeing the make, model and maybe year of the car you desire at a gas station are not great.

“Excuse me, I’ve been interested in (make/model of car) and I see you have one. Can you tell me what it’s like?” is a safe way to start the conversation at a gas station. I was comforted no one thought I was creepy asking.

The person asked may be surprised to be asked, but you have them in the best environment. They are free to say whatever they want since there is nothing monitoring or policing them. They don’t lose anything answering you. You asked the owner a question about the car while they are dong a car-related activity. It could be top of mind at that moment.

I did that for months when I was car shopping and was quite comfortable with the responses and interests. I appreciated the transparency the most. One person spoke very highly of what he had, but took a moment to explain some of the concerns he has noticed. It didn’t prevent him from saying “don’t buy it.”

Another person told me a car he got rid of and why. I didn’t ask for that, but I apparently made him feel safe enough to explain that or he didn’t have anyone he could say that to. He was very mature and civil about it all, too.

Another person told me it was the car owned by his employer for his job. “I wouldn’t drive anything else,” he said.

One person told me the real owner of the car was in the backseat and told me to ask her. He prompted her about my question and she told me multiple people in the family eventually started owning the same make and model of car.

Much can be learned while filling up the tank.