Motorist lets out a resounding call on horn use

Everyone hears only what he understands.

-- Johann von Goethe

The guy behind me was honking his horn. "Is that for me?" I say out loud while glaring back at him in my rearview mirror.

Does he really want me to launch my 10-year-old, four-cylinder car into a gap among zipping morning commuters?

Doesn't he foresee that the resulting pileup wreck will delay him even more from the brain installation appointment he's no doubt rushing to?

Should I, as my father once did, put my car in park, slowly get out. Walk back to the car behind me and offer to help the driver fix what appears to be an obvious horn malfunction?

Vital seconds -- maybe three or four -- pass. The traffic diminishes, and I pull out. Mr. Jack-rabbit is right behind me. He drives about 25 yards and turns into a convenience store parking lot.

And, I drive on to work, wondering what that was all about?

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HONK: As I have said before, I almost never use my car's horn. I thought about it Thursday morning when the driver in front of me did not see the light turn green for about 10 seconds. But I couldn't find the pressure point on the steering wheel that makes the sound, and he eventually turned without my audio urging.

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STILL TRAVELING: Evelyn and Tommy Price , of Evans, sent a very unique postcard from Branson, Mo. The front shows the faces of Bill Medley , of the Righteous Brothers, and Paul Revere , of Paul Revere and the Raiders.

And on the back, the two old performers have autographed the card.

Harry Mercer sends a post card from Bergamo in northern Italy. He says the place is wonderful and has retained its medieval splendor, but he says local entrees include horse meat, which might not sit well with most Americans.

Ronnie and Chere' Caudle , of Dearing, are having a great time at the car show in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

And Shirley and Sandra Johnson , of Augusta, not only send a card from North Carolina, but Philadelphia, too.

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TODAY'S JOKE: Two men, sentenced to be executed the same day, were led down to the room where they would meet their maker.

The priest had given them last rites, the formal speech had been given by the warden, and a final prayer had been said among the participants.

The warden, turning to the first man, solemnly asked, "Son, do you have a last request?"

To which the man replied, "Why, yes, I do. I'd love to sing an Elton John medley of songs I've been practicing for weeks in the prison shower."

"OK," said the surprised warden, who then turned to the other man and asked, "Well, what about you, son? What is your final request?"

The other prisoner looked at the warden, then looked at the other inmate, then looked back at the warden and said, "Execute me first."

Reach Bill Kirby at (706) 823-3344 or bill.kirby@augustachronicle.com.