My wonderful home A house I once rented in West Bethesda backs up to I-495 (Washington DC Beltway) right before the American Legion Bridge into Northern Virginia (or right after the bridge if I’m coming home from work). If I am home early enough on a gorgeous day like today, I like to open all the windows in the house and listen to the wonderful sound made by every size and shape of vehicle coming in and out of VA just beyond my back yard.

Just a minute ago, I heard several horns and a long braking tire screech followed by that sort of empty silent moment of pause… then BOOM (1), smash (2), and finally crash (3) of four folks that were “rushing” home from work on an otherwise wonderful Friday only to ruin the busy sound of the beltway and my Zen moment.

OK, here come the fire engines. That’s not good. :-(