Year 2, Day 237 (A Lazy Day)

Today has been just what the title implies... and much welcomed. I've spend much of the day engaged in Torah study... because I can. Perked up some coffee and occasionally watched out the truck window as the rain fell earlier. Shortly I will enjoy some of the cobbed corn that I cooked up in the crockpot.

I had somebody recently suggest that I boil it. I've had it that way when I was younger, but doing so takes away some of the flavor. Since I don't have a grill, the crockpot seems to be a pretty good alternative. I also have some leftover Caribbean Wings, so I'll finish those up along with the corn (which will be slathered in butter - or at least what is being passed off as butter - and some salt & pepper). It may not be a gourmet (or even elegant) meal, but it works. And since the corn was free, that makes it better still.

That and coffee.

Year 2, Day 70 (About Half Way Done With This Run)

Larry and I parked for the night at the T/A truck stop in Lodi, OH (about an hour north of Columbus), where, surprisingly enough, there was still quite a bit of available parking spots. Surprising because it was around midnight (ET), plus I had him park there because we may not have been so lucky a little later. Before we left this morning, I went inside the truck stop which so conveniently had a Starbucks location. We topped of the fuel just north of Columbus, then on to Dayton to do a little shopping. As I compose this post (shortly to be put to bed), I have some ground beef (with taco seasoning) in the crock pot, along with some beef sausage, to cook in preparation for the chili I am making tonight.

This has been a beautiful Sabbath, although warmer than I would hope for (probably somewhere in the 50's), but still a beautiful Sabbath... then again, any Sabbath that The L-rd blesses me with is beautiful!

Year 2, Day 60 (A Wet & Chilly Day)

Today has been fairly chilly here in Woodinville, WA, as well as rainy with a snow mixture. The trailer has been unloaded, but Larry and I are still waiting to find out where we go next. Chances are (as it has been in the past) we will get sent to load in Lewiston, ID with product going to Tulsa, OK, but we mind not get that word for a couple more hours. Last night, however, we had a roast that I had cooking in the crock pot all day, and (as usual) it turned out splendidly!

I was unable to get together with Terri (whom lives in the Seattle area), but I did get to speak with her earlier today. As I figured, her schedule has kept her busy, but she's recently had an unexpected event take place. Mind you, it's nothing with her directly... all I will divulge at this point is that I ask you - if you are one that prays - to pray for her friend David... I certainly will. Perhaps the next time I'm up here we will be able to meet up, but only if The L-rd allows.

After we arose this morning, I did my daily reading of Scripture, then Larry and I walked up the road to Starbucks, where we watched the rain... then the snow... back to the rain fall outside, while we relaxed inside, where it was warm and dry. Walking in a light drizzle is not bad, nor do I mind the cooler weather... when it's cooler, the chilly air in the lungs is always more refreshing. It's also good exercise to do some walking. In a couple more weeks, however, walking for me will be a thing of the past, as I will finally have my bike. Since this area has quite a few bike paths, I will be going on a few adventures... which I will, no doubt, post on when the time comes. The city of Woodinville has always brought me a certain peace whenever I'm up here. The people are courteous & friendly, and it's a safe environment. Just yesterday I saw a couple people (at different locations) wearing an orange reflective vest while walking a dog. I asked one of them the reason why. As I soon found out, there is an animal shelter nearby that they volunteer at, and they take the dogs out for a walk... to get them away from the confines of their cages (the digs, not the people). I find this service very noble indeed, that these dogs can be offered this level of care until they are finally adopted.

Arkansas doesn't have anything like this... at least not that I've seen.

Year 2, Day 56 (On The Road To Washington State)

Today has been a beautiful Sabbath, with fairly mild temperatures (about the low 40's). My plans for this load were set back by a SNAFU... on Tyson's part. When Larry and I picked up in Dexter, MO, we were loaded by 1930 Thursday evening, but because of some "production issues", some of the product had to be run by the 2nd shift crew, and we couldn't leave until the product (only about 3 pallets worth) was cleared and released... which wasn't until 0230 Friday morning. I drove us to Rogers, AR, did a drop and hook, and Larry took over from there and brought us to Tulsa, OK. We took an 8 hour break there, and drove just under 3 hours, then took a full 10 hour break.

We are now heading west through Kansas, and I'm hoping (and trusting in The L-rd) that we will be able to make it to Woodinville, WA by Monday night. If that happens, we will take a 34 hour re-start on our logbooks, so once we are empty Wednesday morning, we're starting off with a fresh 70.

Looking at some of the weather forecasts on The Weather Channel's app (which I hold very little credence to), it shows we may run into a little snow, but not much. Either way, I may have to stop at a Super Target north of Denver and pick up a few things... mainly the ingredients for a roast I'll cook in the crock pot. I like using the crock pot - throw the ingredients in first thing in the morning, and let it stew all day - but the only downside is, several hours later, the aroma permeates the cab of the truck, and can prove to be quite torturous to two hungry men later in the evening... but the end result is so worth the wait.

My Starbucks grande triple Marble Mocha Machiatto (which I shall, henceforth, refer to as "The Road Scholar's Delight") sure does help to quell the hunger pangs... at least for a few hours.

Year 2, Day 42 (Taxes Are Done, Dinner Is Almost There)

This has been a beautiful, but cool, Sabbath... very peaceful and relaxing. My wife and I had our taxes done this afternoon, which will help us get this house done, so we can sell it in 2 years and move back to California (yes, we are getting a refund). As I put this post together, I'm enjoying a fresh cup of coffee, and tonight's dinner still has 11 minutes left in the oven.

The recipe I had actually obtained from an acquaintance that I know via Facebook and Twitter (@MissInformation). She had made it a few weeks ago for a dinner party she was throwing. After seeing the message several times, I decided to give it a go. The recipe is for Mushroom Lasagna, which I got (through Donna) on the Smitten Kitchen website. It almost seemed a bit daunting (especially since I had never made any kind of lasagna before... ever), but I worked my way through it. It seemed a bit time consuming (perhaps it's because I had to pop my "lasagna virginity"), but as I put it into the oven, it all seemed worth the effort.

I'll post pictures tomorrow.