I am reasonably certain that I do not have to do anything this weekend that involves travel, other than to and from the bowling center for the usual pro shop shift. The last few months have revolved around going somewhere for a tournament or coaching course, and it's only now, as I write this, that I look backward realize just how insane the ride has been. I need a vacation from my obsessions.

In that light, I wish to heap praise on someone in my life not at all associated with bowling. His name is Rudy, but everyone calls him Peanut Man. He was at the front door of my Regular Job as I arrived this morning, the bed of his pickup truck nearly overflowing with fresh produce - watermelons, cantaloupe, peaches, tomatoes, and the holy grail (and source of his nickname), hot boiled peanuts.

(For those not familiar, boiled peanuts are unshelled, unroasted peanuts boiled in salt water and various seasonings until tender. These are then cooled, placed into ziplock bags and sold at flea markets, in gas station parking lots, out of the backs of pickups, and on the sides of roads all over the South. Done right, they are partial proof of the existence of God. Just make sure they were made from raw, not already roasted peanuts. Those made from the latter are proof of the existence of jackasses.)

Peanut Man is part savior, part huckster, but he is always good for a smile and some in-season produce brought to your door at a reasonable price. And those peanuts - Damn! I (rather painfully) avoided buying some this morning because I had already eaten breakfast and knew I would not be able to resist downing a whole bag before lunch. Instead, I invested in a watermelon so sweet it could give you diabetes. Other employees also partook of his bounty, and the office refrigerator now looks like a fruit stand.

I do not know if Peanut Man is unique to my town, or if he is one of many beautiful souls bringing tasty joy to the parking lots of office parks all over the land. Hell, he could be in a union for all I know. But I wish to make plain my feelings, as the watermelon juice runs down my arm and the smile broadens across my face...

Thanks, Peanut Man. You made my day.