Magazine / Off the Beaten Path
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I Ponder As I Wander…
I am writing this column exactly seven days before Christmas Eve. It’s newspaper deadline day and I have been working at Movin’ Out for thirty-nine years now and I swear that this monthly deadlines just keep coming earlier and earlier. It’s bee... -
Where Are You Christmas, Why Can’t I Find You?
It’s no secret that 2020 (and for that matter, most of 2021) stink, stank, stunk… No amount of air freshener or Poo-pourri would ever be able to conceal the stench that has been lingering for the past 20+ months. Last Christmas was definitely one... -
You Take The Good, You Take The Bad…
I am writing this column on an early mid-October Saturday morning as the rain pelts my window and drums on my rooftop. Of course, there will be no sunrise this morning, it’s that’s dreary. Once again, I have the November issue of Movin’ Out c... -
Get Outta My Lane!
I’m settling into the 60s rather nicely if I do say so. Knees that are constantly sore and achy? √Lost my car keys? √ (although I have been doing that for at least 30 years!) Have to turn the TV volume up to at least 58? √ Overheard mutteri... -
So, This Is 60...
When I turned 19, I cried at work ALL.DAY.LONG. No, I'm serious. The boys up at Larry’s Truckstop teased me so much and told me that the government would probably change the rules and make women aged 19 register for the draft and I freaked out beca... -
“How Do You Spell Lost?” (Cause That’s What We Are!”)
I have always said that I could never be a Professional Truck Driver – heck, I could never be an Uber driver…. Yep, I am one of *those* people who can’t drive a stick shift. I also stink at parallel parking; I think the last time I attempte... -
That’s Just The Way It Is…
I recently drove over to my daughter and son-in-law’s to pick up my grandkids for the day. They were waiting for me in the driveway, jumping up and down with excitement. As I opened my car door and prepared to exit my vehicle, my six-year-old g... -
Don’t Mind Me, I’m Just A Ramblin’ On…
I received an email last week from Kevin. He wrote, “What does Pam Pollock's ramblings have to do with trucking? The rest of the print is great.” Ouch. No, I really mean OUCH! Kevin’s words stung. Seven days later and they are still s... -
All She Wants To Do Is Dance!
I admit it – I have two left feet and I am incredibly klutzy. I trip over my own feet! I have no rhythm and I seriously cannot dance. I only went to one school dance my entire life – and that was either in the 6th or 7th grade, where I met ... -
Give Flowers While They Live…
My emotions are all over the place right now and apparently so is my thought process. Since November 2020, five relatives and 3 friends have died. Two of my cousins were my exact age – we grew up together. Diane was always my protector throug... -
Live, Love and Laugh…
So many times, in life I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry, so I will do both. Thank goodness for laughter during the past 11 months, it’s carried me through some very trying times. It’s the day before Valentine’s Day and I can’t wait t... -
Alone Again – Naturally…
I’ll be upfront right off the bat – I have NEVER been an outdoors freak. Do I enjoy nature? Yes, very much. But I never felt the desire to be traipsing in the woods every day – until this past summer when the stress and worry about the Pand... -
Every Picture Tells A Story
It’s no secret that I am a lover of photography. I always have my iPhone with me, and I have been known to purchase the latest release just for the camera upgrade. But I am one of those rare souls who still totes around my faithful companion, m... -
And To All A Good Night…
My spouse and I will be celebrating 38 years of marriage in a couple of weeks. I guess you could say that our courtship was a little whirlwind – he asked me out on a date on May 18, 1982 and we were married on December 10, 1982. A lot has chan... -
Grateful For The Small Things, The Big Things And Everything In Between…
I don’t mince words – let’s face it, 2020 pretty much stinks, stank and stunk. At the end of each day, I pretty much give thanks for making it through another 24 hours and lay my head on the pillow and pray that I can do the same thing tomo... -
Battle of the Sexes
My spouse has been recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and it’s pretty much thrown both of us for a loop. We’re learning all kinds of new medical jargon and how to pronounce prescription drugs. We’re treading new territory – and we’... -
Who Is That Masked Lady?
I’m just going to come right out and say it, I HATE wearing a mask. When our state first mandated the wearing of masks inside businesses, etc. in mid-April, I really struggled to adapt and adhere to the requirement. I am asthmatic and I have ... -
These Are The Days My Friends… Don’t Think They’ll Ever End
I think we are stuck in the movie, Groundhog Day. You go to sleep, hoping the next day will find the Pandemic over, life can get back to the REAL NORMAL and all of the BS garbage will disappear from the mainstream and social media. And then, when... -
Soul Soothers…
Three months of living in a world turned upside down, with something new occurring almost daily has my heart sinking to the pits of despair. I get flustered and yes, angry very easily. I bottle my emotions inside of me until they finally bubble... -
Hello – Is Anyone Out There?
My intentions were to write a full blown rant this month about the COVID-19 Pandemic and the rules, the many, many rules of Quarantine and an economy that is resting in the bowels of despair. I remark to my spouse several times a day, “I don’...