Back to the "Deep South" in Duluth GA

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I get a kick out of hearing the term "Deep South" in 2026. It is a crazy incredibly outdated label. I think maybe I should start saying the "Deep Northeast". I am a Yankee. My family came over on the Mayflower and moved to Upstate NY via Connecticut. Terms used in the revolutionary and Civil war days are generally inappropriate. My family is all but totally out of NY State now. I find the term "deep south" to be of the same thinking that the movie "Heidi" is what contemporary Europe is like. It is a long drive between Berkshire, NY and Duluth, GA. Most of the 35K miles on the truck were spent in between. I drove the truck about 3k miles in 2-1/2 weeks. It was great to spend time on the farm. It was good to make some progress on needed repairs and improvements. I also felt good about making some new friends up there. I will be back up there in August.
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I spent this year's birthday traveling alone again. I can't say I like that, but I had some ice cream cake a few days later.

I went to a the CIDM conference in Durham NC. I didn't speak this year, but it was good. There was quite a bit of new stuff. This is a pic of me with George Bina. He has to be one of the most respected people in the XML industry.

The koi fish seem to be wrestling in the pond outside my apartment window. The ducks even get into the fray. Good show to watch while I am drinking morning coffee.

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