A Virginia Numbers Man

July 2, 2015 by dorannrule

They say it is simply charming to live “where everybody knows your name.”

My nearby little town of Lexington, Virginia is like that, with one big difference. There is a place in town where names don’t count – only numbers – membership numbers. It’s the Rockbridge Farmers’ Co-op!

We have been gassing up the car at our local Farmer’s Cooperative for years and I actually forgot how to do-it- myself since the Co-Op insists on full service. Now (being spoiled and pampered) I simply pull up to a pump and well – wait. Who could ask for anything more?

And along comes JOBIE, efficiently taking care of things while I wait and daydream, and when all is done, he hands me the receipt. The bill then comes to Bill but to me, the gasoline is always free!

How is that remarkable?

JOBIE KNOWS MY NUMBER.

IT’S A FIVE DIGIT MEMBERSHIP NUMBER.

AND JOBIE KNOWS IT BY HEART

(ALONG WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHER NUMBERS)!

and

JOBIE NEVER FORGETS!

Is there something about my face? Is that how he does it?

Does he recognize the peculiar dents and scratches on my car?

Is it the license plate? Naw. That’s another set of numbers.

I asked him how he recalls membership numbers out of the thousands of cars and people who come through. And he simply shrugs and says, “Don’t know…. Just do.”

I am amazed! I have been amazed for all these years and always hatching diabolical plans to mess him up.

Like when Bill and I go away on vacation I figure Jobie will forget the number. “Out of sight, out of mind” doesn’t work though. We can be away for weeks, maybe years. He never forgets.

Lately I have been challenging him by saying, “I’ll bet someone else is getting my gas bill!” And he just smiles. But the truth is he never makes a mistake!

There is real hidden talent in this country and I have told Jobie he should look around for a television show to feature his rare gift. He allowed me to take his picture but I don’t know what t.v. show to send it to. Perhaps you, in cyberspace, will recognize pure genius and suggest a way to put this talent to good use.

I am proud to introduce you to an impressive young fellow – Jobie – a Virginia Numbers Man.

Posted in Country People, Country Thoughts, Friends, Humor, People, Random Impressions, Uncategorized, Virginia | Tagged country people, Country thoughts, Farmers Co-op, Friends, humor, People, rural life, rural Virginia, Small Town America, talent | 28 Comments

28 Responses

on July 2, 2015 at 1:38 pm John

That’s a dandy deal but I don’t understand the sign – ethanol on top but below it says otherwise. Hmmm 😁

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on July 2, 2015 at 1:42 pm dorannrule

Good question John! I always thought they sell Non-ethanol from one pump and the regular “unpure” stuff from the others. 🙂

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on July 2, 2015 at 1:43 pm woodlandgnome

Great story !

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on July 2, 2015 at 1:47 pm John

The problem with Ethanol, especially in Marine applications is the chemical eats away certain seals and fittings as well as the plastic fuel tank itself which is obviously a major explosion hazard. Bad stuff.

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on July 2, 2015 at 1:48 pm lifelessons

I can’t even remember my cell phone number! http://judydykstrabrown.com/2015/07/01/unsolicited-kindness/

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on July 2, 2015 at 1:50 pm dogear6

Great story and so nice to see someone giving out a smile (which most of your posts do).

Nancy

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on July 2, 2015 at 2:19 pm Anne Mehrling

The man is amazing. That’s great that you wrote about him.

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on July 2, 2015 at 2:28 pm cindy knoke

How awesome to have that kind of community!

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on July 2, 2015 at 2:40 pm Seasweetie

What a fascinating skill – reminds me a little of Rain Man, though Jobie certainly doesn’t. I can barely remember my own license plate number. Though every so often I’ll say my phone number as the first one I had in college which if you asked me, I could not for the life of me tell you.

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on July 2, 2015 at 2:50 pm dorannrule

Thanks woodlandgnome!

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on July 2, 2015 at 2:51 pm dorannrule

Thanks for the clarification John. I will try to pull up to the non-Ethanol pump at the co-op. 🙂

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on July 2, 2015 at 2:52 pm dorannrule

Ditto… this guy is truly amazing.

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on July 2, 2015 at 2:52 pm dorannrule

You are the nicest person Nancy! Thank you. 🙂

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on July 2, 2015 at 2:53 pm dorannrule

I promised him a copy. Hope he is pleased. 🙂 Thanks Anne.

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on July 2, 2015 at 2:53 pm dorannrule

It is truly a pleasure! 🙂

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on July 2, 2015 at 2:55 pm dorannrule

I’m with you Seasweetie. I have no idea what my license # is. However – I remember my first phone number which was only 5 digits. It was drilled into us kids to always seek out a policeman if we were lost and tell him our phone number. 🙂

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on July 2, 2015 at 3:40 pm woodlandgnome

🙂

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on July 2, 2015 at 10:19 pm Life With The Top Down

I can’t remember what I just did, but ask me the birthday of someone I grew up with 40 years ago and you will get an answer! Don’t know … just do (love Jobie)

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on July 2, 2015 at 11:37 pm Debbie Spivey

I love your posts, Dor! 🙂

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on July 3, 2015 at 1:14 am Mama's Empty Nest

Amazing talent that Jobie has. I wonder if he has a photographic memory for other things too? Me, I’m lucky to remember my own phone number although in a weird kind of way I remember other phone numbers we’ve had in the past. Go figure. (no pun intended) 😉

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on July 3, 2015 at 1:29 am Mary

Pretty remarkable JOBIE!! Yes someone out there . . . are you reading this?

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on July 3, 2015 at 1:30 am Celebrating Sunshine

That’s impressive! Nice to meet you, Jobie! 🙂

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on July 3, 2015 at 1:44 am virginiabornandbred

Wow! I can’t even remember my own number – I always give them my phone number and they can find me that way. He is VERY impressive. I hope someone knows how to shine a spotlight on the miracle man!

_____

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on July 3, 2015 at 1:50 am dorannrule

Aha! Another local admirer of the remarkable Jobie! 🙂

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on July 3, 2015 at 1:51 am dorannrule

Ditto Cindy! I can remember numbers that don’t work anymore. 🙂

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on July 3, 2015 at 1:51 am dorannrule

Ditto Cindy! I can remember numbers that don’t work anymore. 🙂

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on July 3, 2015 at 1:51 am dorannrule

Thank you Debbie! I love yours too. 🙂

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on July 3, 2015 at 12:25 pm Eliza Waters

That is pretty impressive and full service, too. You don’t see that much anymore!

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