On earth, there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.
-- Jules Renard
Let me introduce New Hampshire as the new vacation hot spot.
A few weeks ago I mentioned that "The Granite State" was the only one we lacked to complete our summer package of American state vacation postcards.
Now I'm up to 12 from New Hampshire, and they're still coming in.
Carl Thieme , of Hephzibah, writes: "This trip is a mixture of business and pleasure. Pleasure involves visiting my son and wife. Business relates to the fact I'm getting close to 93 years of age and decided to visit 'The Old Guy of the Mountains' for advice. Same old stuff: Everything in moderation."
Elizabeth and Jerry Barnes , of North Augusta, said they found New Hampshire weather "fantastic." And the state is tax free. That helped them afford numerous postcards.
Also from North Augusta, Mel and Joyce Haas , said the temps were almost frigid (49 degrees).
And Kathy and George say it's a great state for hiking, biking and swimming.
Pat and Wayne Fuller , of North Augusta, sent a card from Safeco Baseball Field in Seattle, another from Victoria, Canada, and a third from Alaska that humorously shows a bear in the woods. (Guess what he's doing.)
David and Myra Josey sent four postcards from a Northeast swing: Connecticut, Massachusetts and two from New York. They also saw Niagara Falls. Weather and scenery "breathtaking," they say.
Regular travelers Sandra and Shirley Johnson send cards from Pennsylvania and Virginia.
SPEAKING OF OTHER STATES:
You live in the Midwest when:
1. You've never met any celebrities, but the mayor knows your name.
2. Your idea of a traffic jam is 10 cars waiting to pass a tractor.
3. When asked how your trip was to any exotic place, you say, "It was different."
You live in Florida when:
1. You eat dinner at 4:15 in the afternoon.
2. Everyone can recommend an excellent dermatologist.
3. Cars in front of you are often driven by headless people.
You live in California when:
1. You make more than $250,000 and you still can't afford to buy a house.
2. You know how to eat an artichoke.
3. When someone asks you how far away something is, you tell them how long it will take to get there.
TODAY'S JOKE: Here's one shared by Everett Fernandez .
A woman goes to the local psychic in hopes of contacting her dearly departed grandmother.
The psychic's eyelids begin fluttering, her voice begins warbling, her hands float up above the table, and she begins moaning.
Eventually, a coherent voice emanates, saying, "Granddaughter? Are you there?"
The customer, wide-eyed and on the edge of her seat, responds, "Grandmother? Is that you?"
"Yes, Granddaughter, it's me."
"It's really, really you, Grandmother?" the woman repeats.
"Yes, it's really me, Granddaughter."
The woman looks puzzled, "You're sure it's you, Grandmother?"
"Yes, Granddaughter, I'm sure it's me."
The woman pauses a moment, "Grandmother, I have just one question for you."
"Anything, my child."
"Grandmother, when did you learn to speak English?"
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
