Sometimes, Tink — usually in a gentle way but a bit abrupt at other times — will tell me I’m taking too long to explain something. This happens never when he has time to enjoy a long story but when he’s in a rush with much to do. “Can you give me the Yankee version of this story? I don’t have time for the Southern telling.” I always think my stories are worth an investment of time and Tink does normally but not always. I’ll make a face at him. “Yes, I can but it will be your loss because it’s actually an interesting story.”