This morning, I find myself missing Chicago. I downloaded a couple of Steve Goodman songs from iTunes, and that's what got the whole thing started. For those of you who aren't familiar with his music, Steve Goodman was the writer of the 70's hit "City of New Orleans", made popular by Arlo Guthrie and covered by tons of artists. Steve most closely fit into the folk genre, and always sang from the heart about life, love, and his home city. He passed away in 1984 after a long struggle with leukemia.

Steve was diagnosed with leukemia in the early 70's, but as with his matter-of-fact approach to everything else, he released an album shortly before his death entitled "Artistic Hair", the cover of which pictured him almost bald from extensive chemotherapy. But he remained until the end a height-challenged (just a little over five feet) fighter who eloquently and humorously captured the spirit of Chicago. Listen to his ballad "Lincoln Park Pirates", dedicated to Lincoln Towing, a notorious Chicago towing company, or "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request", and you'll understand. What a guy.

Greetings from what appears to be spring (just a few degrees colder than normal). After a period of intense reflection, I have come to the conclusion that absolutely everything in the USA is changing. Italy is looking better and better. (I wonder if they take credit cards for down payments on Tuscan villas?) So what if they've changed their government over fifty times since World War II? As long as you can still get fresh baked bread, tasty local red wine, and good pasta, who cares?

Here's my solution to our current mess: OUTSOURCE THE WAR IN IRAQ. You may laugh, but just think of the possibilities and all the issues which might be resolved by this one simple action. There's work to be done and people willing to do it, so let's keep our options open.

In other news...I have a daughter who is heading to college in the fall! She's extremely happy that Georgia Tech (her alma mater-to-be) is in the Final Four. More news on this college experience as it develops.

Ciao! =:)

Yes! Spring beckons! For two afternoons in a row, I've driven with the top down on my 328i, listening to music ranging all the way from Chuck Mangione to 3 Doors Down. I can hear the birdies singing high in the trees, and today I even smelled freshly trimmed grass. Mamma Mia! Fire up the grill...find the blender...pull out the shorts and t-shirts. Warm weather is almost here!

And we now have a presidential election, do we not? Looks as if it may be interesting. Will John Kerry name John Edwards as his running mate? Who knows? In the words of Scarlett O'Hara, "After all, tomorrow is another day." (This being Atlanta and all, I must throw in one "Gone with the Wind" reference.)

The Georgia primary is next week. Friends of mine who have never voted before say that they plan to vote this time. It should be lively, to say the least...can't wait! Personally, I'd love to see a matchup between two candidates from the past...

VOTE FOR ONE:
__ Richard M. Nixon ("I am the President. Let there be no mistake about that.")
__ Richard J. Daley ("They have vilified me, they have crucified me, yes, they have even criticized me.")