The Rich Luxurious Feel of Driving a '90 Buick

I was thinking this morning, as I turned on my windshield wipers to dry-erase the pollen (yes, the windshield washer isn't working), that the thing I like best about this time of year, is that everyone's car looks as bad as mine. Of course, that's an exaggeration. Once you cut through the pollen, you quickly realize that I have quite the classic auto.
As I was lying back in the driver's seat on my way to work, I had an opportunity to reflect on the joys of driving a 15 year old car. I say lying back because the once luxurious electronic seat adjustment is busted. The seat was working when I put it in the shop, but it stayed there so long, that I'm guessing the mechanic and his family were living in it for a couple of months. The way I figure it is that the mechanic must have enjoyed reclining the seat fully, so that it's virtually lying straight back. And, it appears he wore out the motor playing with the thing because now my seat is permanently reclining.
It does make for a relaxing, if not entirely safe drive to work. But, if I position the rear view mirror just right, I can almost see the oncoming traffic, stop lights and several of those other things that it's good to be able to see as one is driving.
But, anyway, as I was lying back, listening to the rich tones of the AM radio, I got to thinking how great life is. Here I am in a richly appointed 1990 Buick Park Avenue, that is almost paid for. I'm relaxing, even dozing occasionally, as I make my way to work. True, the electronic, adjustable side-view mirrors don't move anymore, but if I grab hold of the steering wheel, and pull myself up, and then tuck one leg under me for support, I can see some of the traffic in the other lanes.
Appearance-wise, the car isn't bad at all...considering its age. Almost 100% of this beauty still has its original paint on it, and the rest has a very dignified primer coat. What more could a man wish for at this point in his life? Only in America, eh?
Speaking of only in America, what's this with Joseph Ratzinger being made the new Pope. Pardon me if I'm mistaken, but, if memory serves, didn't he play Cliff Claven on Cheers? Talk about your all-American success stories.
But again, I've digressed. It's time to wrap this up with what I guess is my message for today. And that message is (drumroll, please): "Be sure to wipe the pollen off your windshield before you head out, because if you're going to be sharing the highway with me, it would be good if one of us has an unobstructed view."

Adventures in Dining (and more)

I have a lot on my mind today, but I'll try to be relatively brief. I had a rather traumatic experience last night. It involved dining out. Somehow, it's rather disconcerting to have the waitress continually give you an update on all the turmoil going on in the kitchen. "Sorry, for your wait," she kept saying, "but we have issues in the kitchen."
Now I've heard all those horror stories of what the kitchen staff might do to the meals being prepared when something ticks them off. And, I'm sure I've eaten stuff served by unhappy cooks and waiters that I don't want to know about. So, please just keep your issues to yourself and don't share that with me.
I would have said that last night's adventures in eating out had to be among the worst I've experienced. But the owner and the waitress were so nice, that it made it difficult to be but so mad. During our 2 hour wait, they continually apologized. They gave us free desserts while waiting for some of the meals, and they kept taking so many items off the bill, that when we got ready to leave, they owed us $1.98. So, all in all, I shouldn't complain. And, the food was pretty good. At least my crabcake was. I did try the fried shrimp off of someone else's plate (someone at our table, not a stranger's), and I must admit, they tasted much like a piece of cardboard might taste if it was battered up and fried golden brown. Not bad, but not excellent.
Before I go, I do have one more thing I want to get off my chest. About 20 pounds. No, just kidding, but it is a good lead-in to the news story I heard this morning that has me scratching my head. The reporter said that according to the latest statistics, if you weigh a few more pounds than you should weigh, you'll live longer than someone who weighs exactly what they should weigh. Huh?
So, that means that those medical type people who figure these things out, think it would be better if we were all just a little skinnier and died just a tad sooner? I guess it would make it somewhat easier for our pallbearers, but frankly, I don't care if mine all get hernias. I won't be around to worry about it.
Well, that's about all for now. But, please, let me hear from you. I have very few friends, and a couple of anonymous posts would really make my day.

Welcome

Well, stick a fork in me, I'm done. I finally have my own blog. This is something I've wanted since I was a child, growing up in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, back in the 50s. It's practically all I ever thought of...dreamt of. When my father asked me what I wanted for my fifth birthday, I meekly replied, "Please sir, may I have a blog?"
And now half a century later, here it is. Okay, I lied. Actually what I asked for was a Thunderbird, Jr, which was only the coolest thing in the world back then. And, to be totally (or at least more partially honest), I never even heard of a blog until about a year ago. I definitely am not a child of the high-tech era. I'm just now beginning to understand how to work the rabbit ears on the television.
And now, here I am with my own blog, which, by the way, is just a small part of our new website look. Admittedly, there is still a little tweaking to do, and there are new features for which we have great buttons, but, as of this minute, no content. Please be patient. It's coming. And, we want your feedback. Test drive our website, tell us what you like, and what you'd like to see.
And, please, please add your comments to the blog. Why? Because that would be like the coolest thing that could happen. Okay, I can think of a couple cooler things, but I'd really like to see your feedback. So, bring it on.

Steve Cook's Daily Ramblings Goes Live!

Steve Cook's Daily Ramblings is now online!