Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

So long old friend... for the last 11 years you have taken us on road trips, errand trips, and Calamity Jane's take-out trips.

You brought both of our children home from the hospital, helped us deliver Christmas presents, and kept us dry on the long, rainy drive to more than one funeral.

You toughed your way out our snow-filled driveway, and even drove us down into our wild woods on a few occasions.

But with 192,000 miles, a cracked windshield, broken CD player, creepy gurgling noises from the dashboard, cracked console cover, and door handles that no longer work properly (not to mention balding tires), it is time to trade you in.

Your replacement won't be new, but will be new-er. Different color, but same make and model.

I can only hope that it will be as faithful as you have been.

Please don't be too sad about our parting. We weren't your first owners, and surely won't be your last. Take good care of your new family and perhaps they will wax poetical about you at your future parting.

New York Style

Having never been to the Big Apple to eat the real thing, I have no idea just how authentic this pizza really is, but in my uneducated opinion, we have some decidedly yummy, spicy, garlicky goodness in our little town.

We usually grab and go.

But yesterday was unseasonably warm and humid, so the picnic table outside looked very inviting.

To the nice PGE lady who stopped and smiled at my kids and asked what on earth I was eating, then went and bought one for herself, I am so very sorry that you are now hooked on what are most likely the most greasy, garlicky, chewy, thigh-enlarging, and delicious breadsticks in the world.

I would avoid them at all cost if I could, but Sparky's just happens to be 2 doors down from the UPS Store, where I go at least once a week to do the bulk of my pattern chart copying (and the kids watch hopefully for a UPS Man sighting).

It is awfully hard to resist when the very air smells like garlic.