Some signs are meant to be helpful, but come across as completely confusing. Like this one in the Milwaukee airport, just past the security checkpoint.
It took me a while to think through this one. I had just been stripped of my shoes, my jacket, my purse and my backpack, been x-rayed, patted down, swiped and wiped, and I felt….discombobulated. So there, with a few chairs underneath, was the designated area for getting recombobulated. See, spell check doesn’t even recognize that word! Helpful, sort of, but mostly not. But amusing, definitely. And absurd.
Another sign I found on my travels. A possible answer to the question, “Can you handle this?”
Turns out, you can’t handle this. 
They never said I couldn’t photograph it, though.
Some signs need translation. The town of Embarrass, Wisconsin on the Embarrass River is nothing to be ashamed of.
I wanted to go into the Post Office and ask about their deep, dark secret. Instead, I went home and looked up the history of the town. Turns out, it was settled by French Canadian loggers who found it difficult to get their floating logs past this point on the river because of snags and debris. In French, “embarrass” means to impede, obstruct or entangle. Oh.
Will you recognize the signs of the times? Well, the times, they are a changin’.
scillagrace 
Loved your story and your sings are Wonderful! 🙂
Thank you! I appreciate your visit and comment, Iris.
I love the progression in this–from the mundane to the sublime. Enjoy the conference and retirement, temporary or on-going!!
Oh, it had better be temporary! I just got my new business cards; hoping to network and get a job in environmental education of some sort – writing, National Park interpretation, activism, etc.
Perfect for you. Fingers crossed and prayers dispatched.
Enjoy your trip to New Mexico.
Thanks, Sue! I will escape any October snow one way or the other!
Hee hee! Love this post. Which airport should we visit, to recombobulate? Have a wonderful, safe trip. We look forward to posts from NM 🙂
Milwaukee’s General Mitchell Airport is where that shot was taken. My partner noticed another woman taking a picture of the sign, which gave me the idea. Do other airports have these? I didn’t see one in San Jose.
These are all quite wonderful. The idea of a recombobulation area is somehow enchanting … leaves one taking flights – just of fancy, of course. (You have a convenient “ham” in your Steve, eh?)
I did prompt Steve to pose for me, but I rarely expect such cooperation!
Lots of fun with words and hope you enjoy the world of Non work…. Because there’s so much to do! Keep us posted on the Wilderness conference, sounds really interesting.
Will do; you have my word (literally!).