Quantity produces quality. If you only write a few things, you’re doomed. ~ Ray Bradbury.


It came to me when I was lying in the middle of the intersection. I’d been pedaling my bike in the bike lane toward a coffee shop, when I caught a glimpse of a car’s speeding front wheel out of the corner of my eye. 


I can’t believe that car’s really going to hit me… 


It did. It knocked me, flying, right toward the middle of the intersection where cars speed up to get onto the freeway. I braced, holding the handlebars tightly, pushing the bike toward the road so the seat and handlebars hit the pavement before I did, absorbing some of the impact.  I ended up on my back, with my right leg twisted under the bike.


I caught my breath, tried to rise to a sitting position, then fell back, realizing that I might be seriously injured. But a thought raced through my mind: I might get run over by a car, to boot. I took three deep breaths, quieting my racing heart, then opened my eyes and lifted my head. And that’s when it hit me, (pardon the expression.)


This was not the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. corridor. Nobody was honking a horn. Not one car was trying to inch around me.  The driver of the car that had hit me had pulled over and was dialing 911. A tall man was rushing toward me.


A nice witness carefully untangled me from my bike and rolled it to the sidewalk, while a blonde nurse walked me to the curb. I felt badly about slowing everyone down.


“Don’t worry, this is the best excuse I’ve ever had for being late.” 


People called out kind words. I turned down the ambulance ride and the firemen who’d been summoned. I turned to push my mangled bike, leaning on the torn seat for support, toward our temporary little home, ice and Advil. 


The blonde called out, with a wry, apologetic smile, “Welcome to Sacramento!”


I had a bruise the size of Mainland China down my right side by the time I got home, and a dent in my leg where the pedal had dug in.  But, think of it: I ended up walking away from being hit by a car!   


My husband and friends couldn’t believe it.

• You aren’t going to sue? 
• Stopping after hitting someone isn’t “responsible,” it’s required! 
• What do you mean it was a good experience? 

And that’s when I came up with the title for this blog. I’ve been keeping the postings elsewhere, but they all had the same theme: 

Melinda’s (Never) Mind…(A)Musing Observations of a Pathological Optimist. 

I share it now in case it brings you enjoyment, amusement, or just, in the spirit of Mr. Bradbury, a compelling reason for me to write, write, write.


I won’t win the beautiful legs competition this week, but it’s OK, I wasn’t planning to enter, anyway.  🙂 And I’m headed back to Maryland in a week for book readings, releases, and the Blackbird Poetry Festival. Complete with new material. So far Sacramento has provided ample inspiration!