My story and this journey are deeply tied to my roots in Michigan. I am blessed to have spent my formative years, learned to play Euchre, adore my extended family and appreciate the particular joy that is apple cider and hot donuts on a cold winter day.
Allie and RJ provided me one of the best interviews of 2012. As complex and overwhelming as the issues we face can feel, there is no better antidote than the perspective of young eyes and open hearts. Time with them was just what I needed and I hope you can hear the wisdom and kindness that filled every moment I had with Allie, RJ and their parents, Tammy and Bob. My hope is that I was able to do justice to these two remarkable children.
Today I made my way to the last of my Route 66/I-40 shelters in a storm (literally). The last time I was in Knoxville, Tennessee, a rain and wind storm parked itself over the city for days. What started out as a tantrum became an opportunity. I had the chance to meet several people within the vintage motorcycle community who introduced me to the Time Warp Tea Room.
To say this place is cool is an understatement. It is clearly a labor of love and one that provides great food and yes, homemade tea cakes.
This year it gave me the chance to interview Kelly. A young woman whose kind nature and positive spirit could not have come at a better time. My history with the Tea Room is one of renewal. It did not disappoint,
The mechanics of this trip combined with my advancing age have required me to establish a variety of rituals to manage it all. Camera, microphone, batteries, mounts, ipad, phone, wallet, notebook, glasses and pen are neatly arranged on my person at all times. There are a series of, what I am certain are, DSM-IV certifiable OCD behaviors that appear like tics to reassure myself all is well.
In that past, my favorite ritual was one that I did only for my own amusement. I kept various lists in the back pages of my notebook to track things that I found interesting. ‘Best specials at diners’ by state, ‘felons I have met’ on the bus, and always ‘acts of kindness’. Early on, this trip inspired a new list. I call it, ‘easily disproved misinformation presented as fact’ and boy, howdy, this one is growing fast.
In addition to the standard Obama is a Muslim and Hillary is going to repeal the second amendment, I submit the following sampling,
The joint chiefs have clearly stated that they cannot and will not accept Hillary Clinton as President
Several states already have established key tenets of Sharia Law
Obama did not win the popular vote in the 2012 election, only the electoral college
Obamacare specifically does not cover pre-existing conditions
This list represents the most significant change that I have noted over my three trips. The sheer volume of misinformation and the absolute certainty with which they are presented is stunning.
