Indiana Idylls

Hoosiers and homeowners for 366 days, now. Sometimes, it feels as if we just got here, and other times it feels like we've already been here too long. We still love it here, and would only wish that the people we wanted to share it with weren't so far away. We celebrated yesterday by shopping in Indy. We discovered a Vietnamese restaurant and enjoyed a magnificent lunch there before stopping at all of our favorite retailers -- and some new ones. Paul had been looking for a kneeling chair and found one at a store we'd never heard of before, Relax the Back. (I think they should be called Ergonomics-R-Us.) Last week, we made our own Bubble Tea for the first time, so we needed to replenish our bubble-tea supplies at Asia Mart -- and stock up on mochi and as many strange Asian candies as Paul could fit in the cart. For dinner, we wound up back in Broad Ripple sampling Bazbeaux pizza. They're no Emmas in Kenmore Square, Boston, but they had some crazy gourmet fixings. I don...

Paul and I got to fly in 70-year-old Stearman biplanes with the Red Baron Pizza Squadron last Thursday! They were in town for Summer Heat, Muncie's big summer festival and air show, and the Red Barons were giving media rides. Roger was stuck working his day job in another county, so he offered Paul and I the opportunity of a lifetime! In truth, I was a bit apprehensive about flying in a "little plane" -- not to mention a little plane belonging to a squadron known for their aerial aerobatics! As the pilots introduced themselves, Travis nonchalantly asked if we were up for some "loops and rolls" today. We must have appeared hesitant because he quickly added that the ride is gentler than a roller coaster. Hey -- if you're going to fly with the Red Barons, you might as well fly with the Red Barons. After all, we were assured that they hadn't lost anyone that day. The ride was extraordinary and exhilarating. The Stearman has an open cockpit, but the seats ...