ASU's blocked entrance sign could use a makeover

It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day-to-day basis.

-- Margaret Bonnano

Something I read suggested you maintain mental alertness by avoiding routine.

It also suggested you avoid routine by taking a different route to work each morning.

That's why I've been coming to work down Walton Way lately. This new route gives me a quick view of Augusta State University, and I have to admit a lot of those new buildings and brick walls and gateways are impressive.

And then there's the main entrance at Fleming Avenue.

The brickwork is beautiful, but access is blocked by a couple of rough, wooden sawhorses holding up two plywood sheets with the words "Road closed" spray-painted on them.

I know it's temporary and short term, but it's been up for a while. Maybe some professor could get someone in the art department to paint a better sign as a homework assignment or extra credit.

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MAILBAG: More vacation postcards. The Hill Baptist Church youth group is getting around - New York City, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, sending postcards from each stop.

Meanwhile, out in the Midwest, "the family of the late Luther and Elizabeth Patterson had the pleasure of spending a week in Kansas City ... eating some delicious Kansas City barbecue."

Sisters Harriet Wilkinson and Pam Anderson send a card from the Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. They say they saw a lynx (the four-legged kind, not an Augusta Lynx). Beverly Norris also sends greetings from Alaska.

Ted and Carla Oellerich (and Libby, Ava and Lonnie), of Hephzibah, are enjoying the beach at Jekyll Island.

David Daitch sends a card from Ireland, where he has taken a tour of the Waterford Crystal factory.

Lynn, Nick and Matt, from Martinez, are enjoying Florida's Space Coast beach and a visit with grandma.

Speaking of grandparents, Katie Piggott, of Evans, is having a great time in Hawaii with hers.

A card from Betty and Lauren says "Arkansas is hot!"

So is Las Vegas, says Elise Whately, who is visiting her daughter.

And Bill and Liz Leopard say the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Va., is really impressive.

What's really impressive is your response to our vacation postcard challenge. If we get one from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New Mexico, we'll have all 50 states.

TODAY'S JOKE: "I have good news and bad news," the defense attorney told his client. "First, the bad news. The blood test came back, and your DNA is an exact match with that found at the crime scene."

"Oh, no!" cried the client. "What's the good news?"

"Well," said the attorney, "your cholesterol is only 140."