Notes from Steve

I’m writing this on 50525 (May 5, 2025).  I’m beyond excited for this day because it is Clarion’s zip code.  I’m geeking on it because it will never happen again.  I’ve stressed this point to several people, and for the most part, they just nod and change the subject.  I don’t care - things like this are important, and again, I’m not sure how we are supposed to react, but fake excitement for this geeky nerd. I will appreciate it (even though I know it will be made up).  

I went to Arkansas last week.  Bentonville to be exact - which is the home of Wal-Mart and a very, very cool town.  Everything was super neat, and there were lots of bikers.  I totally did not expect this - I don’t know, but Arkansas doesn’t evoke cool art, stunning restaurants, or a bicycle vibe with great trails and hills … I was thinking banjos and dirt, but nope.  This was a great “expectations” lesson for me.  “Don’t assume anything and create images in your mind … they will probably be wrong”.  

In Arkansas, we went to this bar above a bakery shop where they made fancy drinks.  I got a mustard/beet* martini.  It had a sprig of dill on top.  I felt it was like a healthy alcoholic smoothie, and my wellness status increased exponentially. Everyone with me reacted with fake excitement for me and agreed that I did indeed look a lot healthier. 

*It tasted like a honey mustard sauce with a hint of dirt.  Beets taste like dirt.