My goal today is not to get behind the wheel of a car. I put 1500 miles on the Toyota in the past week - a whirlwind trip to Florida that included lots of gators, a few monsters of more recent origin (ie. disney), a visit to the family graveyard where I was attacked by fireants... and lots of water.

We stopped at Jacksonville Beach (Florida) on the way down, in my opinion one of the loveliest beaches in the state. The Army Corps of Engineers' plan finally paid off, after ruining the beach for decades; the sand is finally back, and dunes planted with sea grass protect the boardwalk. Big difference from the 15-foot-high sea wall of my youth (not to mention the cockroaches and rats).

Odd to be back in Jacksonville after so many years. We'll have my dad's memorial service here on May 7th.

Just now I'm in Durham, North Carolina, enjoying the dogwood and azaleas in full bloom. April's a beautiful time of the year to be here.