ROUTE: Cranbury, NJ to Monroe, MI: 587 miles (586 loaded + 1 deadhead)
The previous assignment was to bring a trailer full of auto parts from Michigan to a Ford Distribution center in Cranbury, NJ. This assignment was to bring back to Michigan a trailer full of racks. I arrived at the consignee on Friday 11/21 at 21:00 and had driven eight-and-half hours that day, so I only had two-and-half hours left available to drive due to the 11 hour DOT Regulation. By the time I was ready to leave it was 22:00 and the closest Travel Plaza that would have parking at that hour was an hour-and-half away. Fortunately the consignee allows for overnight parking so that’s what I choose to do. The delivery appointment for this assignment was Monday 11/24 at 08:00, so I was in no rush.
I started my day on Saturday 11/22 at 11:30. I had two full days to make a trip that only required ten driving hours. I needed fuel and was given the TA in Buckhorn, PA which was a two-and-half hour drive. From there it is a four hour drive to the Petro in Girard, OH that always has parking and an Indian food truck across the street. Since Petro and TA are under the same ownership than I could make use of the free shower there on Sunday.
On Sunday I had to decide where to park for the night. The consignee is 30 miles south of our terminal so it didn’t make sense to drive to the terminal. There’s a Petro in Perrysburg, OH, that is 30 minutes from the consignee but there’s also an Ohio Travel Plaza in the area. The food is better at the Petro but the Travel Plaza has free WiFi and I wouldn’t have to deviate from the route. I choose the travel plaza and arrived as the sun was setting and the next morning I was departing as the sun was rising. I had a bad pepperoni pizza for dinner and a Starbucks’ cappuccino and bagel with cream cheese for breakfast.
Monday morning I arrived at the consignee at 08:00 per the appointment hour.
BOOK REVIEW (1): It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan (2025), FICTION – RATING (NR)
DNF.
I enjoy Annabel Monaghan’s books. They’re lighthearted and entertaining though predictable. I couldn’t get into this one. The main character was too flaky to grab my attention.
NO RATING because I cut ties much too quickly.
BOOK REVIEW (2): The Parrot’s Perch by Karen Keilt (2019), MEMOIR – RATING (****)
Powerful story that at times is hard to get through for the agony this woman endured unjustly. Incredible that she was able to move forward without therapy or other support mechanisms.
The narrative was hard to accept as this entire confession is supposed to have happened as an interview with a Brazilian official investigating human rights violations and acts of torture in the 70s during the military regime. Maybe that is the base of the book but hard to believe all this information came out in the interview, especially in one sitting that supposedly lasted a mere couple of hours. I would have preferred a traditional formatted memoir.
Some actions by the principals seemed not logical but I’m not going to question the veracity but I would if it was a work of fiction. The father figure falls into this realm as he’s portrayed as an overprotective jealous over his daughter but then seems to accept what has happened to her even though he seems to have the means to take revenge on the perpetrators. Similarly the first husband and brother act illogically.
Regardless of any flaws in the narrative God Bless Karen Keilt for overcoming what she endured and managed to find happiness for herself and her son.
Highly recommend it but beware that the images are troubling. It’s not a relaxing entertaining book, but it’s inspirational.
