So today I tripled the mileage on the new truck.

All the way up to regional town, and back again. Returning with a brand new radio, nicely and neatly installed. Got the tool box bolted in, too. In the convenience of a warm, windless garage.

Always nice in December.

Even though, I suspect I will have to unbolt said toolbox, move it an inch or two, and then rebolt it. You see, when settling it in to drill the bolt holes, I remembered the landing mats and shovels, making sure there was room for each on their respective sides.

But I forgot about the check station signs. They're only in the rig for maybe 35 days of the year, but they have to fit. Haven't checked yet, but I suspect they won't. So tomorrow I will again use my vise-grips to unbolt the box, drill four more holes into the truck bed, and try again.

What's that carpentry rule?

"Measure twice and cut once."

Need to remember that with the next new truck.

Sometime around the year 2011...

At least the commute was pretty, as usual.

Even a little Christmasy on the return leg, with reds and greens, and a decoration on top of the tree.

And I noticed that winter is officially here.

The pronghorn have shed their horns.

Well, just the outer sheaths, technically. Leaving the short stub of next year's horns. Making all the bucks look alike, and young.

(There's a good story about a legislator making a fool of himself over pronghorn bucks in the winter, but I suspect you have to have lived here to understand it.)