It is in the mid 30's here in East Saint Louis, MO.  I drove here from Salina, KS today.  I was hoping to spend time with a very good friend of mine.  But she was too busy getting ready to go to another job.  She has been my penpal for over 3 years and we have only seen each other 3 times and that has been only in the last few months.  Today would have been the 4th time.  By the time I get up in the morning she will be many miles away.  So today I have spent my time watching movies at this boring truck stop.  This truck stop used to be great back when it was Big Duggas.  It had a wonderful restuarant that is now gone.  I listened to the CB and the truckers were really complaining about missing that restaurant.  20 days until I get home for X-mas and I still do not have a gift for my mom.  Any ideas for a woman that is a professional artist and lives in a little trailerhouse next to a lake.