Early Morning Conversation

I felt his tiny, warm body sneak under the covers next to me. He settled in the crook of my arm and pulled my hand around his waist. He purred a simple contented sigh. We lay there for a few silent moments, enjoying the sound of each other's breath.

Mama? When will it be time to get up?

In a bit sweetie. It's a family day so we can stay in bed as long as we want. (I said hoping to stay in our warm nest the whole day...)

Another minute or two of rhythmic breathing passes. Then...

Mama? Can we get up now?

But why Goose? We don't have to go to school today. We don't have anywhere we need to be.

But Mama, there's so much excitement in the world! So many places to go and things to do. Can we please get up now?

Of course Lovey. Of course we can get up.

Two Roads Diverged in the Wood

I don't have many options when it comes to my daily commute.

I drive because it's convenient, but I also have little other choice. I drop the kids at daycare every morning and then drive to my office which is in the next town. There is no bus route that will get me to work on time and I often have to travel to our two other offices at a moment's notice.

There are two ways I can drive, but I'm having a hard time deciding which is the best way to go - environmentally speaking.

Route #1: 7.5 miles, two quick traffic lights - roughly 10 minutes - mostly a straight shot - pleasant.

Route #2: 4.3 miles, 11 sometimes painful traffic lights - approximatley 15 minutes -sometimes longer depending on the lights. A few F-bombs have been known to be uttered before 8 AM.

Question: Does it make more sense to drive fewer miles but spend more time idling at traffic lights or go a few extra miles and only possibly stop twice? Or is it 6 of one... I know it's not a big difference but I want to do what's best even if it's small.

I've never been good at math.