Miles and I live life in the fast lane. We're adventuresome, reckless, and have been known to use the express checkout even when our items total 13 instead of 12. And so, it should come as little surprise that today, despite the holiday celebrations and social gatherings, we spent twelve hours watching a Little House on the Prairie marathon.

My mother loves the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I still remember her yellowed, age-worn set adorning the bookcase. Rumor has it, she even named her first born "Laura". The very same child oft wondered why it was cautioned to keep bees out of one's bonnet...how else would you spell it but with a "b", after all? Mother simply patted my head and hoped I would grow into a less literal sense of humor.

Unfortunately, hopes are wont to be dashed.