Always something...

I have made a bit of a discovery.  It very well could be that I am the last one to this party, but the young lady I am head over heels for just introduced me to Jeff Daniels.  Yes, the actor Jeff Daniels...only did you know that he is also a singer/songwriter?

 Now I believe that the primary reason my lady knew this is because she and Jeff are native Michiganders and those people have a tendency to have some sort of telekinetic thing going on with each other...(people from Wisconsin have similar capabilities), but I am impressed nonetheless.  And I also have to say that I am very impressed with Jeff Daniels as a musician.  So impressed that I am going to buy his albums.

I guess it just goes to show you that there is usually much more than what is on the surface of things.  There is almost always another layer or aspect to what you see.  So, it is with a deep sense of gratitude that I learn that lesson again and again.  I try never to focus on the appearances but it is always great to have the lesson smack you upside the head every now and then.

And while we are at it...give Jeff Daniels' album "Days Like These" a listen.  You just might like it.

Winter lineup

Thick socks are a must!

Okay, okay... for Houston, winter is here.  The temps are dipping into the lower 40's... possibly even (gasp) into the freezing zone and the folks here are a bit taken aback.  As a born and bred northerner (where it is currently 7 degrees), I can offer a bit of advice to these poor stricken folks that will help.

First off.. THICK SOCKS!  Go out and get a few pairs of hunter socks from a place like Gander Mountain.  I cannot tell you how much this makes a difference in the winter.  "Warm feet, warm heart" is an old Amish saying and those folks know how to brave the cold.

The other winter time occupation has to do with the kitchen.  There is nothing that will warm you up and keep off the chill better than to make some home made bread, soup and stews.  Because of the length of time that it takes to make these items, it is a really great way to spend an afternoon basking in the warmth of an oven.  The smells of what is cooking will naturally cheer you up and the eating of your concoctions will (for some reason) keep the warmth with you longer.

So cheer up Houstonians.  These three or four weeks of winter will pass before you know it and we will once again be on our way back to the 70s, 80s, and 90s.  Go get some socks, make a hearty beef stew for dinner (or loaded potato soup), curl up in the blanket and watch a movie.  I will make the popcorn.

Back in the Saddle...

The Web guy and the Web kids

I sincerely hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday break.  I made the insane 14 hour drive up to the frozen north to see my family.  Now when I say insane drive, please take that with a grain of salt.  Sure 14 hours is a long time to be driving, but what I am referring to with my quip is the scenery during the trek....specifically a certain three to four hour period between Little Rock, Arkansas and the Missouri line.  'Taint pretty, McGee... (look up the reference).  I actually saw a house that had ten to fifteen mattresses on the front and side lawns.  But the best part was that the mattresses seemed to have multiple burnt holes in each of them.  It was as if they were experimenting with explosives... 

The trick to these marathon types of drives is to simply put your head down and bull through it...as my father has always done.  No, actually it helps to get out of the car periodically.  I always get out for a bit (get a drink/snack) when I fill up the car and get out about half way between fill ups.  I cannot stress enough how wonderful a bluetooth ear piece is as well.

A wonderful time was had by all as you can see by the picture.