The world is so small that I bought a house from people who go to church with my former youth group leaders DWB & JHB – aka the only people I know in the state of Georgia.

Isn't that something?

Today was the house inspection, and it is clean as a whistle. I was able to meet the current owners at the end of the house inspection, which probably is frowned upon, a bit like seeing the bride before the wedding. But I'm so glad I met them, as their kindness, support and personal tour of the house ratified that this was really the place for me.

DWB had told me Mr. Seller is a forensic anthropologist, a world-class consultant who is called to some of the most unpleasant sites in the world to assist with identification of remains. Stops on his world tour have included Kosovo, Sarajevo, Phuket and that Georgia "crematorium" where they never bothered to cremate anybody. 

Continue reading “CSI: peachtree city” →

DMJ and VGG acquiesced to my wishes so we went to the movies on Saturday night. Sigh. I love the movies. And I love American movie popcorn. I got the "small." Delicious.

It was a bit surprising to spend a Saturday night at one of my most loathed locations: a shopping mall. But hey, we wanted to see Pixar's latest, "Up," and that's where it was playing.

I was touched to see how many families were enjoying a Saturday night together. And they were all quiet and well-behaved.

However, DMJ, VGG and I laughed UP-roariously. What a great movie. I laughed. I cried. I highly recommend it. 

I did my part for the U.S. economy today. In the same hour, I bought a car and signed a sales contract on a new house.

* eep *

This car purchase was truly historic for me.

(1) I bought my first automatic transmission car. Reluctantly.

(2) I got a hybrid car. Happily. Yep, they greened me up pretty good over there across the ocean. I figured that with all the driving I'll have to do, I should try to minimize the effect on the environment. I'll let you know how it goes.

The house is a story unto itself. I'm so pleased and grateful. Stay tuned.

There are a number of reasons I'm glad to be back in the States. I know because every time I think of one, I write it down.

Today I planned a full day of errands. In Northern Ireland this would have taken me about 6 hours. Here it took me 2 1/2.

I had Moe's Southwest Grille for lunch. Fantastically fattening. I'll have to impose a moratorium on trips there.

I listened to NPR morning, noon and night. Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.

Letterman is on tonight!

Particular sights in the first 24 hours:

— Viewed on a backpack, "Dixie Fellowship"

— Sign outside a Decatur school, "Grandparents and Grits, May 22"

— Chik-Fil-A

— About 200 American flags per city block

— NASCAR!

— Evander Holyfield Highway and Bobby Brown Parkway

NEWARK, N.J. — I am here at the Newark airport and one glance at the newsstand reminds me how very out of touch I am with popular culture.

Who are Jon and Kate? And why should I care?