Happy Drive

So Wifey really, really wants to move, and one of her arguments is that I'd be closer to the office, and have less of a commute. A day like today reminds me that's not a necessarily good thing. Fortunately, I rarely have to commute during rush hour, which in Miami has become untenable. I typically wait until after 9:30 or so, and have a smoother drive. Today it was downright enjoyable. Old Cutler Road leads to Ingraham Highway leads to Douglas and finally into the Grove proper. The banyan and ficus trees provide a gorgeous canopy, and the sun splashes through, dappling the roadway. Local artists always paint scenes of these roads -- sometimes in the Gables, and sometimes in the Grove. There are always flowering trees, but this time of year it becomes, from a botanical point of view, almost pornographic. The Royal Poinciana trees bloom -- mostly in an orange and red -- colors brighter than the brightest crayon in a child's kit. The blossoms are truly something to see -- when there are three or more trees in a stand, they seem to almost glow. And so it was today, for my drive. And then there is my single favorite piece of modern technology -- XM Sirius radio. I tuned to their "Classic Rewind" channel, which plays music from my teen years. Today I tooled along, through the Grove, as George Thorogood sang about his unfaithful girlfriend, causing him to need "one bourbon, one Scotch, and one beer." After George, Aerosmith sang "Walk this Way," and then there was a Molly Hachett song. The music was still blasting in my mini Caddy as I pulled into my office lot. The Jamaican security guard smiled. Next time I'll be playing "The Joint" when I drive in -- XM's reggae channel. So when I'm not rushing to be somewhere, the drive can be more than tolerable -- it can be a mini vacation. I think the drive home tonight will feature Frank Sinatra and friends...