In honor of the elusive hovercraft I scrapped most of what I wrote to introduce this, our fourth, “Carmalarky Dispatch,” via hovercraft-style mental drop ins. Short, simple, dramatic. You can feel me reaching here for a thematic structure, can’t you? It’s been that kind of year.

Working at a Saab garage in 1980s Georgia taught me patience, skill, and how to see people—and myself—differently. What began as a job turned into a true education.

Ever heard of Travels with Charley? It’s about a road trip with a poodle, in a truck, written and narrated by THE John Steinbeck. I don’t think I have to say anything else to recommend this lovely little book. But I am going to tell you about the truck.