From the Editor's Desk

The Storm of the Year

I hope this issue of the Sun-Herald finds everyone warm, dry, and able to see clearly! Power outtages can be extremely inconvenient, but from what I know, Colusa County was extremely lucky overall. There was personal property damage, damage to orchards and farms, but no major injuries or loss of human life. Nearby counties did not all fare so well.

I have to admit, I am maybe a little too high maintenance for having no power. The actual day and night with no electricity was ok, but it was the prospect of not having it for a week that got to me. Somehow, most of us in Willows were restored to power after only one day of frenzied grocery and candle-buying and one night of candlelight card games. I'm pretty sure that next time a storm like this comes across the news I will probably take it more seriuosly instead of scoffing at the people out getting overly prepared.

Once the winds died down and the immediate danger passed, the storm seemed to be a good thing to me. I had the good fortune of being able to spend the time holed up at my brother's house with his family, some close friends of ours, the new puppy, and my boyfriend Casey. Not having the television to tune out to was a blessing if you ask me. We spent really good quality time playing games [late into the night], laughing, talking, and visiting. The kids loved it. It made us all think a little bit about some creative ways we could be spending our nights and weekends.

Road Rage

I'll be the first to admit that I have a ridiculously short fuse when it comes to poor drivers. Being on the road as much as I was this week, I was witness to more than my fair share. For those of you that aren't aware that I own the road, here are my road rules:

Rule #1: It is not ok, ever, for any reason, for you to drive, talk on the phone, drink your coffee, and put on your makeup simultaneously. You might feel like an expert at all of these things, but please don't do it when you are the car in front of me in the morning, swerving all over the lane, speeding up and slowing down, and not allowing me a safe placae to pass. This is just plain dumb.

Rule #2: Four-way stop signs are not a competition to see who can get there first and therefore take off first. [This is a real pet peeve of mine]. Just because you slam on your brakes 15 yards before you even get to the line doesn't mean you've won. That's called cheating. And it makes you look silly. If you really need to save .07 seconds of time in your day, you should probably focus on other areas of your life that need some time management, not your route to Burger King.

Rule #3: If you are driving well below the speed limit already, like say by 10 mph or so, please do not slam on your brakes and slow down to half the limit just because a police car, Sheriff's car or highway patrol passes. What is it you're trying to prove? Or are you just trying to cause an accident? Just go the speed limit.

Childhood Wisdom

Just a reminder that was given to me by a much-loved child in my life. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Simple philosophy, yes, but one of the easiest to forget each day as we are going about our lives. What is it about the pusuit of happiness that makes us get defensive? Just a little food for though.