So should I start with the wonderful things, or save them for last? Oh, lets start now.
On Thursday after classes were over I took my beloved truck and drove into the mountains of North Carolina. This is the thing I need to do whenever I need a thrilling rush. I love driving my truck in the mountains! I love seeing how fast I can take those tight curves. The road I was on has a speed limit of 45 miles an hour along most of the stretch between towns. Of course as curvy as it is, one rarely can reach 45 mph, but I did as much as I was able. I discovered that most of the curves marked 25mph can be successfully navigated in 3rd gear at 35 mph. The ones marked 35mph I was often able to take at 45mph in 4th gear. I didn't spend much time in 5th gear until I got to the straight stretches.
I forget how much I love driving in the mountains. Before long I found myself spontaneously whooping on the tight curves. Whooping, you know, as in "Yee-ha!" I laughed loud and strong. FUN. I rarely have real fun. I should do it more often. It's good for the soul.
I went to North Carolina for a specific reason, not just for the drive. I allowed myself to experience a fulfilling cultural event and meet with a dear friend. Chanticleer performed at Brevard College Thursday night. Every time I hear those guys my soul is enriched. They are nice to look at, too. The main reason I went all the way to Brevard, though, was to see Gregory. He blogged for a while as the Ubiquitous Hobbit, but had to close the blog when he became a public figure. He is one of my first online friends. We spent a couple of hours together after the show just chatting and eating fattening food in a diner. It was fun.
Then I got to drive the 2.5 hours back across the mountain and into the guts of South Carolina. It was 3:00 a.m. when I got back to town. Since I was still awake anyway, and needed some stuff, I went to Wal-Mart. I like shopping at 3:00 a.m. There are so few customers in the store then. The last few times I've been in that store I've gotten cranky about how many people were there.
I had a nice 3 hour nap when I got home, and was in my 8:00 class Friday morning. I can do that occasionally. It actually thrills me to do that occasionally. If it happens too often, though, I get sick. I knew I had no tests or assignments due Friday which is why I allowed myself to indulge in the trip to Brevard Thursday night. It was the right thing to do.
Today is a fun weather day. We've got real rain, not just little drizzly sprinkles here and there. And thunder!! I like thunder. The windows shook a couple of time earlier this morning. As long as I don't have to be out and about in weather like this, I really like it. Really. A lot.
Light is home for her Spring Break. It is so good to hear her voice in the house again! She is a bright spot in my life. I think one of the reasons I enjoy her being here is that she's not here all the time. It's a pleasant break from normal for her to be here. I like talking with her, sharing our various experiences with each other. This is her home, but I'm really glad she has a college home too. I'm proud of myself for being so emotionally healthy about my young adult daughter striking out on her own. I like the way the college experience works for young people. They are quasi-independent, but have a home to come to and work from. I think it helps the growing up process.
Those are my happy things. It goes downhill from here. This post is long enough as it is, so I'll write another one about the down side of my week. It follows this one. Read it if you want, don't if you'd rather not. I must write it, for that is the therapeutic nature of blogging for me.
