Nov. 26, ON I-20 IN TEXAS. Back in the real Vette, driving down the interstate listening to the most woeful CD I brought. (Play soundtrack of woe.)* Have known for a week that because of said Vette, we will not make it home by Thanksgiving. Now crossing Texas for the third time in one week. That's also the Vette's fault. After each gasoline/pee break, Rosie lowers her head, glowers at Vette like she can't decide whether to get back in it or bite it. One night, wall-mounted motel-room TV whacks me a black eye, (my right, above). Can probably thank the Vette for that, too. And the brake warning light that started going on and off way back in St. Louis? Finally discover the cause: front brakes were going. Now they're gone.

  Nov. 27, Thanksgiving, STILL ON I-20, STILL IN TEXAS. Slog outside to Vette for another day of driving. Can't help noticing -- Vette looks like she's smiling. Start her up. Pretty soon, Vette's happy car soundtrack drowns out mine. (Play Vette's theme song.)** Aaaw, Vette, I love you. This is why we drove all the way back across Texas for you. Because you inspire me, alone on Thanksgiving, to resist the pitiful temptation to stop at Subway for a turkey sub. Instead, hunt up an entree not remotely connected to Thanksgiving in any way: a pimento cheese sandwich from a gas station refrigerator case. Even a gas station can't ruin pimento cheese. Give Rosie half. Instantly, she's smiling, too. Rock on, happy car, rock on. At least you still have your back brakes.

Nov. 28, BACK ON THE ATLANTIC COAST by the end of the day and home with the husband at last. Happy belated Thanksgiving, everybody! Catch you on the flip side, after the book tour resumes December 3. 

* "Nightblindness," by David Gray, www.davidgray.com

** "Spirit in the Sky," by Norman Greenbaum, http://spiritinthesky.com