As an engineer, I take great pride in being able to solve problems and figure out how things work. I love to proclaim my knowledge to Karen to show of my mental prowess. In my mind, she is impressed to the point of throwing herself into my arms and proclaiming her love and devotion to ?the smartest man she?s ever known.? The reality, on the other hand is usually cold and harsh coming in the form of a rolling of the eyes or a blank stare.

Since we moved to Little Rock a year ago, I?ve noticed little blue reflectors show up on the roads all over the place. They are like the little yellow markers that are embedded in the pavement to mark the center line. But these are seemingly placed arbitrarily, in the middle of the lane. Its as if someone placed them there haphazard, just to drive me nuts. Why were they there and who put them there? It?s a puzzle I?ve pondered for at least nine months.

Then, one day a couple of weeks ago Karen said, ?you know those blue markers? I figured out what they are for.? NO! How could she have figured it out? Impossible, she could not have possibly figured out such a complex and perplexing quandary before me, her problem solving minded husband.

?Ok, why are they there?? I asked smugly.

?They mark fire hydrants at the side of the road.?

Of course! Fire hydrants, why didn?t I think of that? It was so obvious. The answer was right there in front of me every time I saw a little blue marker.

That?s when I threw myself in her arms and declared my love and devotion to the smartest woman I?ve ever known.

(Well, not really but I was impressed that she figured it out.)