You know, we get those emails.

My Aunt-Pat-In-Law who works in a library sent one about how wearing sunglasses while driving in heavy rain is helpful, maybe even at night in heavy rain. When it came I thought it would be long time before I got to test that out, but then we got some heavy rain, and Mr. Troutbend reports that his amber-colored sunglasses did make it easier to see through the windshield, especially in splash-back conditions on the freeway.

The other part of the email was a warning not to use cruise control in a heavy rain storm because if your car starts hydroplaning the cruise control will try to compensate and go faster. We haven't tested this out. A lot of people are so busy dealing with heavy snow they are doing a different kind of hydroplaning.

My friend Fran sent an email regarding the need to cover up the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the dashboard of our cars because thieves can use the number to request replacement ignition keys from the dealer and steal our cars. Mr. Troutbend put a post-it over ours.

We haven't gotten any emails about the Toyota recalls yet. Meanwhile our 2007 Camry Hybrid is parked in the garage waiting for the dust to settle. It doesn't surprise me that there might be issues with software or electronics in these cars because they are so intricate and new. I truly don't think we are going to get our 100,000 plus miles out of it because of the delicate interplay between internal combustion and electric powered motors. We don't drive that car much, anyhow. Our other car is a Nissan Versa, and the dealer called yesterday 'about your car.' And I said 'Well, what about it?' But they just want us to know that the trade in value is high and there are rebates, you can imagine, just trying to drum up some sales.

Here's a joke from my email:

"Ed and Dorothy met while on a singles cruise and Ed fell head over heels for her. When they discovered they lived in the same city only a few miles apart Ed was ecstatic.

He immediately started asking her out when they got home. Within a couple of weeks, Ed had taken Dorothy to dance clubs, restaurants, concerts, movies, and museums. Ed became convinced that Dorothy was indeed his soul mate and true love. Every date seemed better than the last.

On the one-month anniversary of their first dinner on the cruise ship, Ed took Dorothy to a fine restaurant. While having cocktails and waiting for their salad, Ed said,

"I guess you can tell I'm very much in love with you. I'd like a little serious talk before our relationship continues to the next stage. So, before I get a box out of my jacket and ask you a life changing question, it's only fair to warn you, I'm a total golf nut. I play golf, I read about golf, I watch golf on TV. In short, I eat, sleep and breathe golf. If that's going to be a problem for us, you'd better say so now!"

Dorothy took a deep breath and responded, "Ed, that certainly won't be a problem.. I love you as you are and I love golf too; but, since we're being totally honest with each other, you need to know that for about the last five years I've been a hooker."

"Oh wow! I see," Ed replied. He looked down at the table, and was quiet for a moment, deep in thought then he added,

"You know, it's probably just because you're not keeping your wrists straight when you tee off!!!"




See that little tiny person in the street just inside the building shadow? That is Mr. Troutbend returning to the hotel after parking his little white Versa hatchback in that parking lot you see. It's one of those cars on the edge near the street. I am on the 14th floor of the Luxor West Tower taking this photo. That white garage is the Excalibur's parking garage. Bless his heart.