Anchor Struck

We had a grand time for Nathan’s birthday Saturday.  He even got hit on by a

woman at the pub where we ate.  We started early because we had to get up at

5 a.m. Sunday to drive him to the Victoria airport.  Jude, bless her heart, drove

as always.  I slept in the back seat, rousing slightly when we stopped at the

giant gnome, but not really waking up until we got to the airport.

We saw Nathan off with the usual heavy hearts and came home, talking about

what’s ahead for 2012.  Our extended holidays don’t actually end until tonight,

when the LSU-Alabama football game determines the national champs.  But

it’s always good to get a head start, no matter how slight.

We have numerous projects for the house and property, all of which will be

reported here.  In May I plan to drive to Kansas to see my oldest grandchild

Sean graduate from high school, then bring him back with me for a visit,

hopefully picking up Nathan and his brother Jin on the way.

That’s right: ROAD TRIP!

I relish the chance to find out what Sean’s been up to.  I haven’t spent any

significant time with him since 2003.  We’ll have hour upon hour to talk

about this crucial transition in his life.  And we’ll be cruising some pretty

choice scenery, as well.

Speaking of road trips, I have two observations of our jaunt to Victoria that

terday that I wanted to share:

          (1) with two stops at Tim Horton’s and one at Taco Bell, Jude

                 Nathan and I generated a lot of trash.  I realize that our

                 choices were voluntary, but it’s supremely simple to eat

                 that way, and a rare treat for me.  Mind you, virtually all

                 of it was recycled.  I used the numerous paper wrappers to

                 start a fire in our woodstove when we got home.  But if the

                 overwhelming majority of all such trash is just thrown

                 away, it’s really disheartening.  Please recycle.

          (2) on the drive home, I noticed that most of the alder trees

                  that line the highway were starting to bud.  Let’s review:

                  Early January.  Canada.  Trees budding.  I don’t know how

                  this figures into the climate change debate, but it’s weird.

Geaux, Tigers, tonight!