That's a great story and we need to hear more about them because I've met more kind, nice and generous people than bad ones. Thus, I know for a fact that there are lots and lots of wonderful people out there. What's so bad is the media and all the news that make us think otherwise. Here's one day that I can't forget. I heard a loud boom and ran to the window to see what it was. There was a minor auto accident in front of my home. I went out to see if I could be of any assistant. 2 cars were involved. One driver was a teenager. Being that this was her first accident, she was scared and in tears. The other driver was in his senior years, late 70's or 80's, and was very fragile. It was one of those Texas high heat day. So, I asked the drivers to park their cars in a safe area and invited them into the cool and comfort of my home to exchange information. After being indoor with a/c for a few minutes, they both were able to calm down. I guided them with what information they needed to exchange and who to call. Really, neither one of them knew what to do and yet, both insisted on not calling the police. Later, the girl's parents came to help her going home. We all chit chat for awhile, laughing and joking. Then, they all followed each others home. The parents wanted to make sure that the senior driver got home safely. The whole ordeal really touched me. I never thought that a little hospitality really paid off. Yes, kindness is really contagious :o)

I live in a home that has proven to me that a small house can have large rooms and feel deceptively spacious and open. I couldn't be happier with the plan of the modest house I bought in 2000 that was designed in 1964 with a very expansive midcentury modern feel. Many people love it and one couple has actually copied the design to build new. In 1550 ft, on one level (yay) I have very high beamed ceilings and walls of glass. Living/ dining:14X28, formal entry foyer:16X10, kitchen 17X11, convertible den 10X12, Master1:16X13, Master2:13X11, 2 baths (each bedroom has it's own plus one bath is accessed to guests from a separate small foyer) and a small separated laundry room incorporated off the kitchen (great). There is also a 2-way fireplace, decent storage, and private patios off each major room. (There is no basement here in SoCal but I have an unfinished attic room of about 70sq ft). I never thought a small home could feel so roomy, but it is possible and my maintenance and energy costs are reasonable. It seems so much more dramatic and intelligent vs new small homes today that have tiny unfurnishable rooms but favor showcase bathrooms and giant closets to interest buyers.

No soup? I haven't heard about that Marie but probably will. Being small has it's benefits as nearly everything we serve is made from scratch, including the soups. Our patrons then doctor the food to their taste. We accept 'donations' from the patrons; we can't charge them. Our collection box must be out of our sight so we can't tell who pays or who doesn't. No one wants a summer home where I live either Maybee; too cold and too many bugs. I'm talking about the north end of Rich county, through a mountain pass, where the climate is milder, the bugs fewer and the view (to some, not me) is more spectacular.) Someday my side of the valley will be filled with houses but only when every other available space in the state is taken. Add Wyoming to the list of CA-haters. Those who couldn't find a place in Oregon or Montana settled in Wyoming. It makes me sick to see the houses where all the dryfarms and alfalfa fields and cattle pasture used to be. And those people too move in then try to change everything then wonder why the natives get testy. Personally I'd like to see that oil well come in and other fields developed. Oil makes counties wealthy which can (if managed properly) provide lots of services and takes the burden off tax payers. Lori

Hi (again) Amer Auto Ass'n. ("A A A" for short) It has, so far ... ... now all I have to do is avoid getting into "scrapes" (or bang-ups) ... ... and I'm good to go for the next two ears. (Dang keyboard - that was supposed to be "years"!). Hope I can keep the equipment between those "ears" - and function, as well - in half decent shape for those two years ...for in recent times increasingly it seems as though I can't remember a darn thing. ole joyfuelled