"Vote for the man who promises least; he'll be the least disappointing." - Bernard Baruch

Gotta love NASCAR

I listen to Pandora a lot. While I'm working on the truck, often while I'm studying for a sermon or lesson, when I'm doing chores.... It's usually either my "opera aria" channel or "symphonic classics." There are songs that never fail to stop me in my tracks, that I can't work through but must give my full attention. Pavarotti singing, "Nessun Dorma," Yo-Yo Ma playing Ennio Morricone, Schubert's "Ave Maria" done by almost anyone....

(I also like my Aretha Franklin channel.)

I drove by our Perry house a few days ago. The current owners have made some changes to the lot, including a 6' white PVC fence that I'm not fond of, but the structure remains much as we left it. I miss that house. Living there was a stewardship, more fulfilling a trust than owning a century-old house. Our current house is a shelter from the elements, nothing more. That house was architectural art recognized in the community as a landmark, something we were privileged to restore to its former glory.

I enjoy driving rental cars, even one so bland as a Toyota Camry. Because my daily driver is 50 years old I drive it with a light hand (or foot). A rental car? Stomp! Let's see what she's got for getting up this on-ramp, how well she gets around this clover leaf with the yellow "30 mph" sign we all know is not to be believed. With 50,000 already on the clock I'm not doing anything that hasn't been done a hundred times before. Yes, someday this car will be sold to a buyer who hopes to coax it to 200,000 miles, and he can baby it then. Me? I'm working out the hoonigan I must repress as I pamper my Falcon around town.

So, should I see if I can trade the posi-traction rear end for a standard, and maybe recover some of the money for new gearing that will give me better highway performance?
I also like old cars and the process of bringing them back to their former glory.

I don't care if it is a girly drink (is it?) I enjoy a mid-morning peppermint mocha.

Nine hours from now I'll be back in Arizona where it will be in the upper 70's when my flight lands over two hours past sunset. I'm writing this after just coming into the Grand Rapids airport. Outside the current outside temp is 25 and the wind chill factor has it feeling like 13. I've missed warm and look forward to getting back to shorts and T-shirts.

I've also missed my wife. I enjoy the interaction with colleagues that a conference like this offers but it's time to be home. We had a phone conversation each evening but that's not the same. Even if we're just sitting in the same room watching the same TV show we're a unit. I like being married to the same person for 43 years.

These are a few of my favorite things.
(I just threw up in my mouth)