Forward:  In a web design class I am being taught that a post shouldn’t be more than 200 to 250 words.  This is going to be longer.  A LOT longer.  If you don’t like reading, that’s OK.  Don’t.  But please don’t bore me with complaints about how long this is.  You can’t compress something like this.  Not really.  If you just want to cut to the chase, scroll down to the line that starts, “So, how was the barbeque?”  Anyway, here goes.  My American pilgrimage…. Continue reading →