Knackered Goes for Gold with Benzos

   Hey there, Knackered here.  Today Knackered awakens to the sound of water running through the gutters and downspouts.  This is actually quite unusual as it has been bone dry for ages.

   After breakfasting, he arms himself with his trusty trekking poles and orange visibility vest.  Having just had one birthday, he looks forward to the next.

   Today, he envisions himself as an Olympic contender.  It’s is his first time across the pond and he does not speak the language, but his actions on the course say it all.  He holds the leading spot in his neighborhood age group. Others know he is out there and that he is a vicious competitor.

   His balance and leg strength remain wonky.  Many drivers these days are not observant.  Just the thought of becoming road kill could cause him to soil himself. That would be quite nasty and he doubts he would be well received upon arriving home.

   Only a few hardy souls greet him.  All appear to be women, armed with umbrellas and dragging little animals along on leashes.  As they grow nearer, Knackered hears them bark and snarl as they lunge for his ankles. He is relieved to know they are dogs.  All wave and so does he.  They are a friendly bunch.

   Knackered assumes their husbands are in recliners; watching political TV or sports. The resilient ones in the family are out with umbrellas and the dogs.

   Hard bodies, he knows, do not walk. That could result in them being called out as pussies. They generally glide by in Lycra or spandex and favor those little water pouch back packs with the plastic spout for their mouth. Knackered stays with old jeans and T shirts.  It’s his go to fashion for nearly everything these days.

   Their shoes alone, no doubt, cost as much as his last used car. It is true that it was a rust bucket and the only thing holding it up were its bald tires, but it was a faithful vehicle.

   Nearing home, Knackered is tired and becoming irritable. The  rain has soaked through, and wet under pants chafe him badly.

   Suddenly a man appears ahead with a pole much like his. He is struggling just as Knackered is, yet he smiles widely.

   As they near,  Knackered realizes that his pole is white and the man is blind. Knackered calls out in greeting and both pause for a moment.  “Look, he exclaims, it’s raining!  I can feel it on my skin!"  Wow, Knackered replies. That is really something. “No, man, he says.  It’s everything!”