Tuesday, May 27, 2003

Rancho Relaxo My Ass On

Rancho Relaxo My Ass

On our way up north we passed an exit marked “Rancheria.” I asked Kel what distinguised a rancheria from a regular, run-of-the-mill ranch.  She immediately answered, “Urea.” If I’d have been driving, I’d have taken us off the road. 

But her begs the more important question: what is this “mill” of which we are said to have the “run”?  What does it mean to have “run of” a mill?  Is this like a mill with a water wheel, in which case maybe it’s “run-off” the mill?  Or is it 1/10th of a penny, like the cash value of a coupon, or more like a steel mill - and what do either of those have to do with getting the run, or perhaps, the runs, of a place?  The longer I think of it, the less sense it makes and the more unsavory it sounds.  And regardless, can you have the run of the mill of a ranch?  Can’t you just have a run of the ranch all by itself? 

I’m overwrought.