#Gnaw April 5

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For the month of April several of us are taking on the “30-Day Conversation Coach4aday Challenge“. Today’s dialog is about the word GNAW.

If you live in the south, you often encounter words to colorfully describe an action or behavior. Today’s post centers on someone using the word gnaw.

April Conversation Challenge

The overarching aim for the 30-Day Conversation Coach4aday Challenge is to engage or to repeat conversations and disseminate them. Whether these conversations hold valuable lessons, shareable insights, or are simply a mishmash of thoughts, the goal remains to foster connection and potential learning experiences for all involved.

Rules of the Challenge

First brevity is the key. Second it is not necessary to fully identify the parties involved but writing it like a script might be helpful. Third the conversations being shared can come from personal experiences, books, films, TV shows, or are imaginations.

Do this daily for 30 Days posting on social media with the hashtag #Coach4adayChallenge

Day 5-Let it Gnaw!

Early in my coaching career at Western Carolina University I traveled a lot trying to find basketball players. This was taking place in the early 1980 way before Garmin, Waze, or Google Maps.

Back in those days, if you required directions while traveling, you had to rely on a map or seek guidance from locals. On a specific journey from Winston-Salem, NC to Roanoke, VA during the early 1980s, the bypass on US 52 hadn’t been finished yet. As I navigated along what is now US 52 Business, passing through Mt. Airy, NC, I found myself uncertain about the route to I-77 and then I-81. Consequently, I made a stop to ask for directions. Today’s post recaps that chat.

Me: Hey, I was wondering if you could help me get I-77 and Roanoke VA.

Car Garage Mechanic: You need to go straight thru town and at the second light turn left on Pine Street. Right before you get to Beaulah you will see I-77 North.

Me: How far down Pine Street before I get to I-77?

Car Garage Mechanic: It is 6 or 7 miles, and you need to watch your speed?

Me: Does Pine Street have a lot of curves?

Car Garage Mechanic: Not really but lots of speed traps.

Me: So, I need to watch my speed until I get to I-77

Car Garage Mechanic: Yes, and when you get on I-77 be careful especially climbing Fancy Gap. Lots of Virginia State Troopers until you get to Wytheville. Once you get there you can “let it gnaw“

Me: (dumbfounded by the phrase) I can let it gnaw?

Car Garage Mechanic: Yes sir, just put the pedal down in Wytheville and let it gnaw.

For the record I have never heard that phrase uttered again but when I got to Wytheville, I did let it gnaw.