Driving class & pumpkin bread

On Monday & Tuesday this week, B. and I went to the AARP driving class It ran from 9:30 to 1:30 each day, with a couple of breaks. The class reviewed the usual driving rules but concentrated on explaining physical changes to our bodies as we age and how that affects our driving. For example, most people's night vision is affected by the time they are 40 years old. As time goes on, some people avoid night driving altogether. B. and I still both drive at night when necessary but use extra caution. http://www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety/driver_ed/a2004-06-21-whatisds.html.

A lot of the course material was familiar to us but we each learned a few things. And there were a few items that we knew were unrealistic in some cities. Don't exceed the speed limit makes sense in most places but I know from experience that if you try to do that on the Atlanta freeways, you are in danger. You may need to drive at 70 or 80 mph just to avoid being hit by the other drivers!!! Also, stopping when the light turns red seems reasonable but in Atlanta it is generally expected that two or three cars will go through the red light and you just wait for them to do so. Maybe it's that way in all big cities. Life - and driving - proceeds at a far more frantic pace in major cities.

The class also went over determining when to give up your keys & stop driving and how to plan ahead for that day. We even were given free all-day bus tickets so we could check out the local bus system.

We both got our certificates for taking the class and we'll be giving them to our insurance agent so that we can get a discount on our insurance. It cost $10 each to take the class but the certificate is good for three years so we should get our investment back.

The first day of class found all of us hungry by break time. There was a snack machine down the hall with some feeble snacks and we all pounced on it to help us through the morning. That night, I went home and baked some pumpkin bread to bring to class. I took the lazy way, just throwing some eggs and water into a mix and popping it in the oven. No big deal. However, all the students & the teacher were quite appreciative: "This is the best pumpkin bread ever!" or "I couldn't have baked anything this good." I didn't have the heart to tell them it was just a mix. Guess no one bakes anymore...