November 6, 2005

• We only had one bitty problem on our sunny, breathtaking road trip to South Carolina. The air conditioner compressor, which you would think is an *optional* operation, busted somewhere in the mountains. Fortunately, it wasn’t symptomatic in the obvious sense until we sat, hood at attention, five minutes from our base of operations in North Carolina. We proceeded, nevertheless, with the smoking gun steaming the windshield until we were at the Bonclarken Conference Center–www.bonclarken.com, the very beating heart of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. In the morning, we were drawled (that should be a real verb!) that it was imperative to unjam the serpentine belt on the compressor in order for the entire cooling system of the Dodge Caravan engine to function.

  Who knew?

  Who knew the unjamming process, the rental car, and the extra night at a hotel (the South is a little laid back about clocks) would cost near $1,000? God was very gracious, though, and it seems our used car warranty will cover some of it. God was also very gracious in providing us with acquaintances ahead of time who were in place to advise us, chaffeur us, and comfort us. Drew’s buddy, Paul, had told his Uncle Jack that we were coming to Bonclarken. Uncle Jack had written us a letter weeks before our arrival, extending his welcome and services. He had no idea what he was getting himself into–poor soul–driving Gordons and baggage around town. Our friends Ben and Joann Johnston looked in on us and offered assorted aid and sympathetic sentiments. Even the housekeeper at Founder’s Hall didn’t blink when I explained that we were in our room four hours later than check-out because of car trouble. The South is indeed gracious.

  I think Taylor will post a top ten list of Southern distinctions that we encountered, not all so glorious, but I must say that overall we always enjoy the South. I am a super fan of sweet tea. (It’s chilly and dark, and, oh, so sugary!) The Erskine cafeteria offers it in large vats labeled “Fresh-brewed Lipton.” The tea without sugar is labeled “unsweet.” Perhaps it is that extra sweetness that opens doors for middle-aged ladies like myself and offers “ma’am” as punctuation for most drawling sentences. The Southern friendliness captivates me. On Erskine’s campus, everyone said “hello” whether they knew us or not. The sunshine was bright and the myriad stars at night almost brighter. The admissions counselor for Erskine informed us that it snowed once every two years, to the delight of the significant Florida enrollment. Baseball, it seems, is a year-round sport. Taylor’s eyes shone at the sight of uniforms on the diamond in November.

  May your life be as scenic as W. Virginia in the autumnal throes, and may your air conditioning compressor never look like it has taken up Marlboros…

  Grace and peace,
  |||||| lynard

  • 12:17 am
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