> Ell:
> I people-watch too--it's always amusing. No I didn't make any of it up...I'm glad you think my family sounds interesting. I'm not loud and outgoing like they are, and no one can believe I'm related to them. When people think my family is scary or distasteful, I assume that the person making that judgement needs to loosen up. Eccentric people, especially aging hippies, are the best. Has your mother ever admitted to hitchhiking? They never admit it anymore, I guess so as not to encourage us.

I don't hitchhike anymore. They tell me it's dangerous. But I have a 10,000 mile thumb. I used to hitchhike everywhere when I was in college. I even did it as far back as the 7th grade. The worst problem I ever had was getting caught out on a highway in a cold rain. I don't think I could recommend it now, nor do I plan to do it again. In the old days, I was always broke and it was hang out the old thumb or stay home.
Times have changed, I guess.
Howard