Drivers are wierd everywhere we go...

So in the Netherlands, drivers tailgate, bikes are crazy, and the lanes are narrow. Here it is a good idea to turn into whatever lane you might eventually want -- right lane turning right into far left lane....go for it...just seems strange to me.

Here we also pay homage to my friend Reiner's  observation of cars in New Mexico -- if the turn signal is on, the owner bought the car that way.

Otherwise, we are healthy and home from a second short weekend trip - this one to visit family in Chicago. 

off to chicago --- this weekend

Happy Valentine's Day my friends and bleaders. Eileen is just getting past a double ear infection (one week into the antibiotics we are both feeling less crabby). It looks like the snow and ice are done for a while. I hope that means that we will have a lovely visit with my family. As has been typical for a long time, Eileen and I will be doing this together. Does anyone need anything from the second city? humor? chocolate? hugs from Eileen's grandparents or great-grandma?

Me, I am hoping for a Greek meal, but will settle for Eileen having a Chicago Red Hot (a hotdog, but -- with capital letters) -- and maybe a slice of deep dish pizza.

weather in Texoma

If I haven't mentioned the extremities in weather here, let's start with the wind. It is often in the 'howling' category...except during the sweltering summer. Apparently, we don't need wind if we are blessed with 114 degrees and 97% humidity. Well, now let's mention that we are located in the south. Our version of the recent 'blizzard' contained about .25 inches of lovely ice that is pretty solid...and 4 to 10 inches of snow on top of it. Then the temperature dropped (from 80 or so on Saturday) to single digits today. We have rolling blackouts going.

The base is closed for the second day in a row. Eileen spent yesterday morning playing in the snow with her daddy and getting sugared up on leftover cake...I spent it making home made chicken noodle soup and soaking beans for an unusual chili type soup today.

I secretly hope that everyone gets to go out tomorrow, but I am not holding my breath.