I recently started carpooling with my mom when I found out how close her work was to mine.  (I know, shameful that I didn' know before) But, we now carpool most days of the week and it's pleasant. 

On that note, I propose that Mrs. Martin and company create a carpool forum where others can also save gas, make friends, and reduce pollution. 

Had a great time heading up to Shirley Meadows and going to the snow.  Great fun and I had a strange experience:  I was driving my mini-van on the last stretch before the exit to Lake Isabella and 3 brown eagles/hawks were on the other side of the road fighting over  a squirrel.  When they heard the car they all started to fly away across the road and directly in my path.  Two hawks were sans squirrel but the one that had it in his claws could not get lift.  Just before I plowed  into him I started braking to about 45-50mph as he dripped his ballast (squirrel) but not in enough time before it hit the top right of my windshield with a thunderous THUD.   The second car behind us in our group saw the whole thing and was not sure if the eagle descended into the canyon on the right as a result of the impact catapulting it over or if he actually survived.   One thing is certain, the only thing on my windshield was hawk-dropping telling me that at best, I scared the %$^& out of it.

must be just about Christmastime ;) Truly amazing what pic-e.net will do.