Speeding

Speed limits. How many of you really obey them all the time?

Most state and U.S. highways in south Arkansas have a 55 mph speed limit. That doesn’t seem so bad until you cross the state line into Texas and find the same roads with a limit of 70!

I really don’t like driving 55. It’s not that I’m a speed demon or anything, there’s just something about being able to drive 60 (a mile a minute) that satisfies my senses. Of course if the posted limit is 65 or 70, that’s what I drive.

Law enforcement has been out in full force lately in my neck of the woods. A few weeks ago my son was stopped and given a warning for going 57 in a 55 zone. Ticky, ticky. Once upon a time most officers would allow a five mph “cushion”. Not anymore.

My younger daughter and I made a trip to Little Rock on Monday in my new car. It was a beautiful day with perfect driving conditions so I decided to set my cruise control to 55 on the button. Everyone blew by us, and not just when there were passing lanes! I had to laugh. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, handicap plates, young drivers, old folks… everyone in a hurry and many of them clearly aggravated at me for slowing them down. The scariest was the 18-wheeler with the shiny maroon-colored International cab that stayed mere feet behind me until he could pass.

I’m not always the most patient driver, but my attitude has changed a lot in recent years. It was nice knowing that I didn’t have to worry about getting stopped. That was reinforced every time we passed a state trooper or other cop, especially when they were pulling someone over. And no, I don’t gloat when I see that. I learned long ago that vengefulness often backfires.

So tell me, honestly….do you speed??

The Arkansas State Capitol Building

I’ve always loved the Arkansas State Capitol building in Little Rock. Completed in 1915, it’s a smaller version of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. I think my favorite feature is the 24 karat gold leaf covered cupola on the top of the dome…. something the U.S. Capitol doesn’t have.

I made a quick trip to Little Rock this week to stay with a dear friend of 40+ years. Her kids are still young (8 & 10) and her husband takes them on a “daddy trip” each summer. This year they took the train to Chicago for a Cubs game and other fun activities. I usually try spend the night with her one of the nights they’re gone. We enjoy having the chance to eat out and catch up face to face on everything going on in each other’s life.

I took the above photo on Thursday afternoon after having lunch at the Buffalo Grill. It was my first trip there since I gave up being a vegetarian. They make a killer BLT with guacamole!! Mmmm… it was every bit as good as I remembered!