Missed opportunity...

I've made it to Wyoming! A carload of uniformed white army boys with scalps so recently shaved they gleamed hairless as a bent elbow, made valiant peace symbols out all four of their windows as they passed me loudly honking and hooting!!!

I stopped in Laramie for the night to join one of my customers who is driving her car cross country. Pulling my truck up to a hotel office is always a little apprehensive: this time the hotel clerk turned out to be a gay white boy with bleached blond hair – très radical for Wyoming! He loved my truck and immediately reassured me that I was in the most – and the only – liberal part of Wyoming. I’ll sleep well this p.m., knowing he’s on duty for the nite!

 Before I left Laramie, I found espresso early in the a.m. – organic coffee no less!!! There I connected with a very interesting fellow and comrade, Guillermo. He and his wife have been peace activists for over forty years and in many different countries, including now here in the u.s.. We compared notes on being an out activist and running a business to survive. He is in the landscaping and gardening business and has many signs supporting peace at his location, as do I. We agreed that, although limiting our income, the business we miss is well worth the business we receive! He told me they have at least three weekly peace vigils in Laramie!!! As well as several peace organizations!

I missed an opportunity to park my truck in front of the Laramie high school. Guillermo introduced me to a local high school teacher also seeking espresso. After she spoke for a few minutes about the exciting social action and political work she was trying to do with her students, she wistfully said “I wish you could park your truck in front of the school for awhile this morning.”

I regret not taking the time to do so, deciding instead I couldn’t delay my delivery in Madison. I promised to do so on my next trip thru Laramie!