> Long after we moved away, I came back to North Carolina on my senior trip in high school. We made a stop in Asheville at the Biltmore Mansion, where they later filmed "Richie Rich." That is a pretty impressive place. I have an aunt and uncle who live in Asheville now, so we'll probably be going back there again someday. Maybe. If they don't move again. Last time I visited them they lived in Virginia Beach. Then they moved to South Dakota, and then to North Carolina.
>
> Well, I guess I rambled, didn't I? But isn't it fun to read?
>
> Gri"Speedball, you're a Tar Heel now"shny

Whenever I hear of Asheville, I am reminded of the "Mandie" books that I read when I was younger. They were set in Asheville, North Carolina in 1900 and were written by Lois Gladys Leppard (yes, I have a tendency to remember odd factoids). I eagerly waited for each new book in the series and bought most of them with what little money I had saved up.

Looking back on it now, I know I would not feel the same way toward those books. As I recall, they all had similar plotlines, characters, and conclusions. If I read them today, I doubt that I would be impressed with the writing, either. I suppose that's a good thing, because it shows that I am growing up and maturing. But it is also a bit sad. As I have gotten older, I have become more critical of authors. When I was younger, I could lose myself in a book for hours on end. I can still do that, but it is no longer as easy. Instead, I find myself coming to an abrupt stop in my reading because of a mistake or some wording that I would phrase differently. Have I really become that picky? How sad.

Isn't it weird how one word can bring back long-forgotten memories? So you see, Grishny, you're not the only one who rambles. However, I have no idea where I am going with this, so I think I will stop.

Ell"Bookworm"myruh