Monthly Archives: August 2008

Scotland, along with the rest of Europe, practices socialized medicine. That means everyone has access to free health care. We Americans have long prided ourselves on our freedom of choice. Most of us are pleased to have a variety of … Continue reading →

Q: Why are bagpipe players always marching?A: To get away from the noise. Q: What is the definition of perfect pitch?A: A bagpipe tossed into the dumpster landing on a banjo. Q: What’s the difference between a bagpipe and an … Continue reading →

“Yeah, we went to Cuba. We got some great pictures of our trip there.” “What!? You went to Cuba?” “Yeah, people go there all the time from here.” We were sitting at the table after lunch talking about great holiday … Continue reading →

“Aye John, and this is your Mum when she was about five or six years old.” I looked into the face of this little cherub and I could see my mother looking out at me. She had the same smile, … Continue reading →

“Uncle John, do you have any rubbing alcohol?” “What’s that?” “You know, isopropyl alcohol, we use it to disinfect wounds in the states.” He hands me a bottle from the medicine cabinet. “This is what we use to clean wounds.” … Continue reading →

I don’t mean to complain, but damn it rains a lot here. I have been here a month now and it has rained nearly every day. It’s not always a hard rain and sometimes it is intermingled with periods of … Continue reading →

I bought a car yesterday, on the Internet; e-bay to be precise. There are not many vehicles with eight seats around here. Everything is small, especially the cars. So, trying to find a big one, without buying a utility vehicle … Continue reading →

I know what you’re thinking; that’s Amsterdam. I expect there may be a number of young ladies whose souls need saving here in Scotland, but that is not the subject of this essay. I’m talking about something a little more … Continue reading →

I could here the drone a block away. It was like an electrical hum, that is if the electric box had been made out of fine African mahogany. It was a living sound, like bees, only deeper, stronger. It was … Continue reading →

Yes, my fellow Texans, I sleep with a down comforter at night here in Scotland. I know it’s hard to believe for the middle of August, but it’s true. In fact, in an effort to combat blanket drift I sleep … Continue reading →