When my brother and I were in Pittsburgh in August, we took in a baseball game. I reserved a parking spot online, but when we got to the North Shore, we couldn’t find the lot. We made one loop around the block, but traffic was building and we didn’t want to make another.

There was only one parking lot entrance at the address in the parking app. I pulled in and showed the attendant the parking receipt in the app. He told me that my ticket was for the garage—a multi-story building on our left. The building’s address was on this street but the entrance was on the street behind. I looked at the traffic and sighed. I also couldn’t figure out how to exit the lot as there were several cars behind me by that point.

The attendant saw my concern and offered a solution:

Okay, go straight through here and turn left in front of our dumpster. There’s a hole in the fence. Drive through the hole, cross the street and pull into a little alley. That alley leads to the garage entrance.

Directions – for One-Liner Wednesday by Linda G. Hill

We followed his instructions and entered the garage in front of probably 75 cars that were in line at the official entrance. We watched the Pirates shut out the Cincinnati Reds 7-0.

If that looks interesting, you can buy the book in any format you like:

69 responses to “So, Listen Carefully — 1LinerWeds”

  1. Thank goodness for that hole in the fence…and the helpful attendant, love that. I hate when maps shows you the address and you end up on the wrong side of the fence. It has happened me a couple of times but thankfully not too much traffic. That would really freak me out.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The app that we used didn’t even identify it as a parking garage. We were looking for a lot. I was so grateful to the guy for pointing out the “shortcut” to us.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Wonderful water drops, the animated leaves and the animals that frequent your place but disappointed there wasn’t a photo of the hole in the fence. You must do a good concerned look

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I was kicking myself for not taking a picture, Brian.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Stress can do that Dan

        Liked by 1 person

  3. It was nice of the attendant to help you out. Nice post, Dan

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He was so nice, Robbie. It saved us a lot of time.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Double bun and a nice white skunk. We have them but they’ve never explored our porches.
    😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ve heard rumors that someone else around here has bunny photos I need to take off her camera before I put up my Saturday post. The skunks are adorable. I don’t know whether they live here or just wander through. As long as they don’t spray, they’re welcome.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Kudos to the helpful attendant. I can’t believe you didn’t take a picture/video driving through the hole in the fence!

    The visiting skunk is beautiful. I’ve never seen one with so much white.

    Love the raindrops on the pine needles and apple. Yep, that leaf definitely looks like a seal.

    Mr. Grumpy Cat just doesn’t like his picture taken Dan, yet he always poses for them!

    Great shot of the flags.

    Happy Hump Day.

    ginger🦋

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I was kicking myself for not taking a picture, Ginger. From where we started, I wasn’t sure we were going to end up in a parking garage.

      The skunk is beautiful. There are two in the area. We’re not sure if they are adults or if they were the ones our neighbor saw as babies earlier in the year.

      That cat posed for a nice picture, but I can’t seem to make him happy to see me.

      It’s the time of yer when leaves on the ground and the angle of the sun works to create these creatures. I’m not sure what people think of the old guy taking pictures of the ground, but they make me smile.

      I hope you’re having a nice week.

      Like

  6. Hi Dan – that was extremely fortunate and kind … so pleased for you – I hate going to things where lots of people are … because of those queues. Love the pics – yes we’ve finally had some rain … and are due for more … poor little grumpy cat – I bet he’s desperate to join in. Is that a possum having a look around? Cheers Hilary

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Hilary. I wouldn’t have minded being in line, if I had known where the line was. The guy was very helpful. I do say nice things to the cat. Maybe one day he’ll understand. The animal on the porch is a type of skunk. We’re not sure if they (there are two of them) live here or are just passing through.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. That attendant deserves a raise!
    Is that a white skunk on your porch? I checked them out on-line and it turns out, they are quite rare.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He was a very nice man, GP. Yes, that’s a white skunk. It appears to be a hog-nose variety, and we’ve seen evidence of them (there are two) rooting around in the yard.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Now that’s a case of wrong place, right time if ever there was one!
    And that parking attendant? Gotta buy that man a beer!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He definitely came through for us, Nancy.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Nice going with the hole in the fence thing ! Sounds a bit like a novel situation though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was, and I’m not sure everyone would put their car through there, but no scrapes or scratches.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Wow! That is quite a shortcut tale, Dan!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. IT worked out well for us, Dave.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. What a great guy. He not only put you in right entrance but, ahead of a lot of other people too. That’s good karma.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. That attendant is my kind of guy–go through the hole in the fence?! I love that!!

    A white skunk! I wondered what that was. I have never seen a skunk before, so this is kind of special for me. Nice to have cameras to capture what you don’t see. This is so great all the nature life you have around your place, Dan.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. There’s so much development around here, Lois that these animals are having to find new homes. We don’t mind having them, as long as they don’t spray.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Pittsburgh has been the hardest place for me to drive around. I am glad you found the parking garage.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. There’s nothing easy about driving in Pittsburgh, Frank. We’d have been lost if not for this guy’s help. The information in the app was useless.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I had to laugh at the parking attendant’s instructions, Dan. “Drive through the hole in the fence…” Glad it turned out well. Love the photos!! You captured some great moments.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Jan. I’m sure some people would have questioned the directions, but we were in a “what do we have to lose” situation.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Great story, Dan. Loved the photos

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Those were quite the instructions. I would have been a bit nervous to follow them to be honest. Glad it worked out for you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I was nervous, Darlene but at that point, there was no other way out. A line had formed behind us.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. This could go in a book one day. Maybe with not as good a result!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Haha – I can see that. I wasn’t sure this was going to end well when he said “drive through the hole in the fence.”

          Liked by 1 person

  17. D.L. Finn, Author Avatar
    D.L. Finn, Author

    Nice the attendant helped you with a shortcut to park! I love the leaf and shadow pics too.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Wow, what a stroke of luck with that parking attendant, Dan.

    Skunk — yikes! Don’t want to surprise that visitor. The photo with multiple water droplets is wonderful. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The guy was really helpful, Teagan.

      These skunks are pretty chill. One of them walked across my foot one night when I came home late. I’m not sure where they live, but other have seen them and said that they were calmly walking through their yard.

      Like

  19. Nice shortcut. It’s all about knowing the right person!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That guy was a lifesaver.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Great news on the special shortcut tip, Dan. It helps to get word from an insider on where to park during game-day events.

    The critters are adorable, Sammy is so busy with his dinner preparations, and the bunnies both look charming posing for their selfies. Fabulous too that late-night “visitor.”
    Love the water droplets photos and the pouring rain outside last week. Is the raincloud photo before the rain last weekend? Or, is more rain on the way there?

    The cat does not look happy; however, at least he posed for a nice photo among the sedum blooms…he is slowly warming up to your yard and your kindness, I feel.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Suzette. That cat never looks happy. The other critters seem to understand us, even the new one, although he’s a little concerning.

      The attendant ‘s advice was spot on and saved us that night.

      I can’t resist trying to get pictures of the water drops.

      Like

      1. Your newest visitor looked pretty chill at the front door. Hopefully the calm aura of your other critters will inspire him or her to do the same.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I’m not sure if they live here or just wander in to forage. I hope they know they’re welcome. They are beautiful, and they are definitely chill.

          Liked by 1 person

  21. Fabulous!!! Serendipity came calling!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was perfect, Rebecca.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. You just need to go to all the Pirates games!

    That cat looks like my neighbor’s cat BeBe a few residences ago. He never looked happy either, and was downright suspicious of everyone in fact.

    Those bunnies know just how to pose! (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. If I lived there, I would probably have some sort of season tickets. We clicked past 82 losses last night. Another “wait ’til next year” moment.

      This cat does look suspicious of me whenever I’m near.

      Like

  23. People like that attendant are angels right here on earth.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Sounds like you won all around!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. well at least that guy in the parking lot is definitely one of the good guys… I love that you stole the march on the 70 or so drivers queuing up 🤣🤣

    those photos are good. Is that late night visitor a skunk? …. I also love the leaves and water droplets 💦💦💜

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Cutting in the queue wasn’t our intent (I know how that might be perceived in England) but it was an added benefit.

      That is a skunk. We’ve seen them around here for the past few weeks. I’m not sure where they live, but they seem nice enough.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I do understand that you didn’t intend to jump the queue …

        I don’t know much about skunks apart from the fact that if they spray, you , your pets or your homes and furnishings it’s very hard to get rid of the smell! …. 💜💜💜

        Liked by 1 person

        1. These skunks seem reluctant to spray. Our neighbors have been out when they came through their yard with babies in tow, and they didn’t bother anyone. I guess we need to be careful not to be perceived as a threat.

          Like

          1. I believe that is right Dan these guys behave and react to perceived danger… Hopefully you are behaving as no threat to them 😁😁

            Liked by 1 person

  26. Pretty it’s pretty early for that cat. Have such a medicine look but he’s perfect for Halloween.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He’ll be lurking around on that day, I’m sure.

      Like

      1. I guess spell check doesn’t like menacing but the pretty twin my fault🙄😆

        Liked by 1 person

  27. What a great guy, offering you all that help. I love those stories. I see exactly what you see in the leaf shadows! Good thing you didn’t disturb that late night visitor on your porch!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Jennie. We give that visitor a wide berth whenever he/she comes by. The guy was so helpful.

      Liked by 1 person

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