Well, we’re back, and while I can’t claim to be tanned, rested, and ready, I must say that it feels good to be home. Not that it wasn’t good to get away for a few days, of course. It was nice to be someplace unfamiliar, do things I normally wouldn’t, and sleep in strange places (Memo to She Who Endures My Myriad Eccentricities: no more Motel 6. Anywhere. Ever. Again. No exceptions, ‘kay??)
Thanks to those who chipped in while I was out of pocket to keep TPRS running. It’s always fun to see what other folks will do with my baby while I’m gone. I enjoy turning over the helm every now and then, just to see what happens. I am honored that all y’all saw fit to grace this space with such impressive thoughts. Muchas gracias a todos….
Over the past week, I was as unplugged as I have been for the past few years, and it was surprisingly a nice feeling. I had the opportunity to check my email only twice. The rest of the time I was completely devoid of Internet access…and I found that I really didn’t much care. The world continued apace without me being plugged in…and while I’m sure there’s a lesson in there somewhere for me, I have to check my email…. ;p)
More than anything else, it was nice just to get the heck out of Dodge for a few days. We stayed at a bed and breakfast out in the woods outside of Carbondale, we saw Adam graduate from Southern Illinois University, I went to a baseball game at the new Busch Stadium (and froze my arse off), we travelled southern Illinois’ Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, and I just generally had an opportunity to relax and have some fun in a way that I haven’t for some time. Even when I drove to 3,714 miles through 11 states in 10 days last fall, the enjoyment was almost completely crushed by Hurricane Rita. There’s something about not knowing if you’ll have a home to return to that really kinda takes the edge off the vacation. This time, though, I didn’t have that problem, and it was thoroughly enjoyable. I’ll even set aside my enduring, undying, passionate, burning hatred of Cattle Car Southwest Airlines for the moment- though certainly not for much longer than that- and savor being able to relax.
Back in da saddle again…. ;p)
