I'm amazed when I think of all the advancements made in science, technology, medicine and communications over the course of my adult life. We've landed men on the moon several times and sent probes and orbiters to other bodies in the solar system. The Hubble telescope has unlocked the very secrets of the universe and allowed astronomers to see almost all the way back to the beginning of time, to the Big Bang. Physicists have discovered tiny particles within the atom never before know to exist and which have unlocked the mystery of matter. In fact, they have now discovered something known as anti-matter. Microbiologists have found parts of the human cell--DNA--never before known to exist and which has unlocked the mystery of the origin of life. Advances and discoveries in the medical field have produced a host of new life saving and life enhancing drugs. The invention and perfection of the microchip has allowed us to store a whole library of information on something no larger than a pinhead and, together with the invention of the internet, has revolutionized the way we gather, store and disseminate information and data and the way we transact commerce. Most all of us now use devices small enough to wear on our hips or carry in our purses that allow us to communicate with each other orally, textually or pictorially. Oh, and don't forget the Ziplock bag!

But in the midst of all these grand and glorious advancements, I can't help but ask why it is, if we can do all these things, nobody can make a gas-powered weedeater and chain saw that can be started without pulling 10 times on a piece of rope.

Mrs. GG and I live just down the street from the county fairgrounds in our little Texas town. The street makes a 90 degree turn right right where our house is. Each night of the fair features a country-western band and lots and lots of beer. On each of three successive nights this past week, I found out that beer, pickup trucks and 90 degree street turns are not a good mix. Those trucks found their way into our yard and landscape on each occasion, doing considerable damage. Needless to say, this caused me to be much grouchier than normal.