Russians used to go to the sea through Latvia, during the Czarist times. They often got sea sick. A case of any kind of gastric distress became a “trip to Riga.” (I learned this in a Russian language class. It may not be true, but I intend to believe it, regardless if it’s actual truth. Please correct me if I’m wrong. I’d like to know if I’m being unreasonable. It’s a sign of strength of character )

I started when I had a Smart Car, which made backing in really easy. The front wheels are almost in the same place as the back wheels, so the car almost rotates. It’s a shame they weren’t more popular.

This is why I started. There is a conspiracy of children living in my condo complex, and they ride their bikes in the parking lot. (What’s the collective adjective for children?) I figure I’m more likely to flatten one backing than driving forward, and I’m less likely to have a child behind me when backing in than when backing out. I know it’s a mistake for children to ride in parking lots, but it’s not my choice. They are not my children. My children made their mistakes thirty years ago, and I’m no longer responsible for them.

Apparently the British say “Just enough blue to patch a Dutchman’s trousers.” Tom Lewis wrote a song with that title.