Back (sort of) and a generally tough day

I have been at St. Sabbas monastery in Michigan for the last several days and thus somewhat out of communication. However my travels are likely to continue for at least the rest of the week. I appreciate the comments on the two preceding posts, and will try to respond in due course.

Betrayed by technology...

I departed the monastery early this afternoon hoping to make it to my next destination, Binghamton NY, before stopping for the night. I told my GPS where I wanted to go and it gave me directions which I followed though they seemed a bit odd. I assumed it knew what it was doing and maybe it was giving me a shortcut. About an hour and a half later I notice a giant sign announcing "Last Exit Before Canada!"

I will refrain from quoting my immediate reaction; we can just say it was colorful and leave it at that.

...and then my car...

None too happy I turn around and tell my now somewhat suspect electronic guide to take me to Toledo Ohio from which I figure I can point myself east. Irritated at the loss of driving time I decide to grab a very quick bite and pull off looking for fast food. Just a couple of blocks from the interstate is a BK where I get a tolerable meal. But no sooner do I start driving again then I realize I now have a flat tire!

Thank God for AAA.

It's about twelve degrees outside before the brutal windchill gets factored in and if I had to change the tire in this weather I would have just checked into a hotel and waited until spring. But AAA came through, just about the only thing that went right today.

In a half an hour give or take the guy showed up and soon the flat is in the trunk and the annoying little emergency doughnut tire is on the car.

...and then the Sabbath

As most of you will be aware, those little emergency spares are not intended for long distance driving. Thus my first priority is to get the flat actually fixed or the tire replaced as necessary.

Alas; it's Sunday and almost five in the afternoon. Incredibly it appears that in Michigan some people, or at least car mechanics, like to take Sundays off! So here I am, actually farther from my next stop then I was when I started and I am pretty much hunkered down for the night in a blessedly warm hotel room. I have an appointment for 930am to get the tire fixed. All that remains is the hope for a decent supper, and maybe a stiff bourbon before bed.