A Few Weekend Observations

After spending a relaxing weekend driving over 1000 miles throughout seven states, here are a few things I have noticed.

People have no friggin' clue how to merge onto a highway. When cars on the highway are moving at 70-75 mph and you pull onto the highway doing 40, if I don't hit your ass, I'm gonna be cursing it out.

People in New Hampshire take the 30 mph speed limit a little too seriously. In Jersey, we tend to take it as a suggestion, it works better that way.

People, if I'm doing 75-80 mph, in a 65 mph zone, and the highway is basically empty except for me and you, I would appreciate if you would just pass me instead of riding up my ass.

I truly hate driving in the state of Massachusetts. Crossing over the state line after driving forever through Vermont without a rest area in sight, the words "Welcome Station Exit 26" were like an oasis in the desert. Unfortunately Exit 26 leaves you off in the most congested retail/fast food area you could ever imagine. And not a sign, arrow or inkling of where the Welcome Station might be.

Again in Mass., we followed an exit sign pointing to a Seafood restaurant. Where the exit led us was an industrial park, with no further signage as to where the seafood restaurant or any of the other places advertised might be.

When you are driving a Taurus, or a Mini Coop or any of a hundred small cars, can you just take the 3.5 minutes it takes to clean the snow off your damn roof. Do you not think when you are driving upwards of 80 mph that the snow you were too lazy to remove isn't gonna fly off into the cars behind you? I swear I avoided at least twenty sheets of ice and snow flying right toward me today.

It was encouraging to see windmills and solar panel fields throughout Vermont. Why can't this be done everywhere?

On a fun note...Where can you pull into the parking lot of a diner and hear "Wild Thing" blaring out the speakers? Tilton NH, that's where. The Tilt'n Diner is a total throwback to the 50s, 60s, 70s and it, and the food rocks.

Though not from the diner, dark chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce and toasted hazelnuts is a gift from the heavens.

I don't know how to relax.

Walking the Walk

Easter Saturday, one gorgeous afternoon. Days like this are a gift to be savored like the first bite of that chocolate bunny sitting in the basket. Oh those ears are always too tempting.

With a writing project put to bed this morning, it was time to see what has been happening around the lake since the last time the weather allowed an enjoyable stroll. Winter comes early up here and spring comes late. Very late. We might see some leaves on the trees around Memorial Day. While back home in Jersey, the daffodils are already smiling, at the lake there isn't even a hint of green popping up.

There is however, a bright blue sky filled with cotton ball clouds. Its color is in stark contrast to the decaying leaves and occasional piles of snow still lingering. With a temperature in the low 50s, time to grab the camera, the pen, the notebook and the phone and go on the road to find out.

Not a quarter mile away, the music shuffle pulled up the Beatles doing "Good Day Sunshine." Seriously, you can't make this shit up. Another half mile and two boys on bikes, around eight years old I would think, rode towards me. One had already removed his sweatshirt and was riding in a Tee, yes spring is here. Through my sunglasses I watched them as they biked closer. Big smiles on their faces... it was that kind of day. The one in the t-shirt gave me a big wave as he approached, which kind of surprised me and made me happy at the same time. I gave him a big smile as I waved back. Hopefully in another couple of years, he will still be sweet enough to wave at someone else who is enjoying the moment just as much as he.

Not too many changes around the lake in the past month or so. A couple of new homes are getting close to being finished, a lot of weekenders are up for the holiday. Everyone is beginning the new chapter of spring cleanup. But for me and a couple of kids on bikes, it was a time to clear out the cobwebs in our minds. Time to embrace the changing season and time to just... smile.

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Valentine's Day: It's Right In Front Of You

Yeah, It's Valentine's Day. Where do I even begin. You know this is not gonna be pretty.

Just like Christmas, Valentine's Day is all about anticipation. What will the gift be...candy, flowers, THE RING?  What is expected? Together a year or less...flowers for sure, maybe earrings or a necklace...definitely not THE RING.  Going out for the second Valentine's Day...THE RING expectation gets a lot stronger. If it's the third VDay and no ring...pack it up girl, it ain't gonna happen.

Now it's not that I hate Valentine's Day, I don't.  There have been some very...um interesting ones. But that's a story for another day. But here's how I feel about the most popular gifts.

Chocolate: Those who know me can attest to my devotion to it.  I have stated on many occasions that a Hershey's bar is God's most perfect food.  Even the dog's name is Hershey, though that name came from the shelter...I just couldn't bear to change it.  However, I do not need to consume an entire box. Said Hershey bar will suffice.

Flowers: Always hated when I was sent flowers to the office. Why send them there? To impress my co-workers? I'm not leaving them there, so I gotta carry them home. Pain in the ass.

Dinner: Yes, I love dinner out, but on VDay...no.  Crazy crowded with limited menu and drink prices jacked up. Another night for sure.

Jewelry: Well you've got me there. I can't really bitch about something shiny in a small box.

All in all, my belief is VDay is too stressful and annoying. And while the idea of making every day feel like Valentine's Day is appealing...well we all know that ain't gonna happen. Take it all one day at a time. If tonight, you don't receive the gift you had hoped for, just remember you will still wake up next to the person you wanted it from.

Waking up in his arms...isn't that what you always wanted most of all?

I need some chocolate.