A couple of nights ago I received a private mail from my good friend Sirenita Lake. It was late; almost 3AM central time.

Seems that I had fallen asleep on the couch, which I hate doing by the way. Needless to say, I just couldn't get up and go straight to bed. Yes, I had to stop by the 'puter station and check my OS.

The PM was titled "Mark in Kansas, maybe", and read thusly...

"My husband, Mark Pritchard, is carrying out a hare-brained scheme to drive in a blizzard in the name of art. Jeff mentioned there was a snow storm in Kansas a few days ago, so Mark is heading there. If you see him, don't worry, he's a harmless lunatic. In fact, I gave him y'all's phone numbers so he can say hi if he gets within hailing distance.

It seems wrong, WRONG, that Mark should get to meet you guys first, but that might just be the case. When you do see me, it will *not* be so's I can drive in a snow storm.

It's so cool to have friends in snowy places.

Love,
Sirenita"

My first thought was hmmm, "hare-brained?" I, for some reason, would have said hair-brained. But that's just me. The hare animal works much better of course.

As it came to pass, Mark Pritchard did in fact ring me up last night.

He was settled in at a motel in Olathe (O-lay-thuh) Kansas. Of course he pronounced it O-lay-theeee. No-one can pronounce that name. I mean who else would know? Most out of towners call it O- layth. Must be an Indian name.

Long story short, Mark picked me up at nine this morning.  We went across the state line to Kansas City, Missouri to "First Watch" on Westport Road, where we became acquainted over a sumptuous morning meal of eggs fritatta, skillet fried potatoes, english muffins, and coffee... and Mark even picked up the tab!

 Our waitress Inga agreed to snap this picture (above). Inga was a tiny brunette with a Swedish accent. I asked where she was from, and well, I should have known...

Lithuania! 

Mark and I discussed his mission... his purpose, his nuttiness (in my view). Leaving a perfectly nice and warm "city by the bay," on his vacation, to drive through midwest snow storms.

It made sense after he explained. He's writing a novel in which one of the characters is, yes, driving through the midwest... in blizzards. Mark wanted to experience that first hand for the sake of being able to write the part.

 As a gift, I received two of Mr. Pritchards previous novels which I will be reading very soon. I have a money gig to take care of first... but soon as I get back!

After giving Mark the short tour of Kansas City (the good side), he dropped me off at home. By now he should be getting somewhere near the Colorado border as he makes his way back to Sirenita and San Francisco.

Nice to meet ya Mark!

Below.... bonus pic of my cat Dr. Black last Sunday. I'm thinking he might be happier in San Fran.