Is The Universe Trying to Tell Val Something?

I think OnStar is eavesdropping on my car conversations! Seriously. I don't know any other explanation. The Universe can't be such a big ol' lampshade-headed, blustery prankster that it keeps punking me with these songs. Even when she was alive, I'm pretty sure my mom didn't really listen to me that closely all the time.

I did the Walmart shopping today, see, and stopped by the cemetery as usual. Just a quick drive-thru session. Less than five minutes, to update Mom on the boys' exploits at college, and let her know what's going on here. I told Mom that I was excited about the big gambling weekend we have planned with Sis and the ex-mayor. That I know she didn't approve of casino excursions, but I rarely see Sis, and this would be a lot of fun, because when Sis isn't micromanaging everything, she's good for a laugh.

Of course I had dialed SiriusXM to channel 58, Prime Country, Mom's favorite. A Reba McEntire song was playing when I pulled in. One I didn't recognize, but Mom was no stranger to Reba. Something else came on that was not memorable. Then I was done with my chat, and left. As I pulled out of the cemetery road and headed to Walmart, thinking about what slots I was going to play on that gambling trip...another song I didn't know came on. The words are what got me.

A high roller even when the chips are down
To win her over, I'd seen the tables turn around
She's ten the hard way, I can feel it in my bones
She'll be makin' my day and not another night alone
'Til it's time for a windfall and not a single moment too soon
I've been too long overdue, now I'm gonna shoot the moon

I'd bet it all on a good run of bad luck
Seven come eleven and she could be mine
Luck be a lady, and I'm gonna find love comin' on the bottom line

I've been to the table, and I've lost it all before
I'm willin' and able, always comin' back for more
Squeezin' out a thin dime 'til there's no one hanging on my arm
I've gambled on a third time, a fool will tell you it's a charm
If I'm bettin' on a loser, I'm gonna have a devil to pay
But it's the only game I know to play, it doesn't matter anyway

I saw on T-Hoe's radio screen that it was Clint Black, but I had to Google for the song name. Clint Black's "A Good Run of Bad Luck". You'd be hard-pressed to find a song with more gambling imagery. Unless it's Kenny Rogers knowing when to fold or hold 'em. I chuckled. What a dang coincidence!

I've been daydreaming about this trip for a couple days. I got a few road snacks at Walmart. Some mints and some individual chip bags. You know, so Hick can tilt his head back and turn them up to get the last crumbs while he's barrelling along a concrete median wall at 81 mph. I stopped by one convenience store to get scratch-off tickets to send Genius in his weekly letter. I stopped by another one to get my 44 oz Diet Coke and some for me.

And...as I pulled out of that convenience store parking lot, Sawyer Brown's "The Race is On" started playing. Which has a section of lyrics that might be construed as wager-related. I've never been one to play the ponies, though.

Now the race is on
And here comes pride in the backstretch
Heartaches goin' to the inside
My tears are holdin' back
They're tryin' not to fall
My hearts out of the runnin'
True love's scratched for another's sake
The race is on and it looks like heartaches
And the winner looses all

Dang it, Universe! Can't a Val be alone with her thoughts for a while?