A seven-month absence from reporting news in Austin is a long time.

It felt like languishing in a bus depot waiting for a bus that never arrived.

Fortunately, others -- many others

to be sure -- read the Austin Daily Herald and kept me apprised of happenings.

Now I'm back to work and here are the top 10 changes, revelations or observations I've noticed since my return:

(10) The boss and I agreed on something. It was amazing! To tell the truth, it scared me to death. Reporters aren't supposed to do that. I felt I had lost my edge. The subject: racial profiling. Folks, the threat to America is not farmers in seed corn caps, little old ladies in capri pants or kids in World Wrestling Federation T-shirts. It's a specific race and culture. The publisher's editorial was on the mark.

(9) There is less of Austin Fire Chief Dan Wilson. Normally, I don't look at other men's waistlines, but the irrepressible Mr. Wilson insisted. Because there were witnesses, I didn't feel afraid. The result of my inspection: Yes, there is less of the fire chief than there was before.

(8) The path is clear for a Lee Bonorden for Sheriff campaign, now that incumbent Mower County Sheriff Barry J. Simonson has announced his retirement plans. Of course, there is one obstacle standing in the way and that is Chief Deputy Terese Amazi and, maybe, somebody from eastern Mower County.

(7) It's still dangerous to enter a pedestrian crosswalk in Austin. When I was driving, I didn't mind. When I'm walking, I prefer standing on the curb, counting one-Mississippi, two-Mississippi and so-on to 1,000 before venturing into the crosswalk whether I have the light or not.

(6) Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz does not remind me of Mary Poppins. I saw those letters to the editor in the Herald, but this reporter is on the record to say Julie Andrews is a better singer than Her Honor, but Bonnie Rietz knows more about sanitary sewers and street assessments.

(5) Dunkin' Donuts smells sweet in the morning.

(4) Black Bart's / Nemitz's ain't the same without Gary Nemitz behind the counter.

Sure Gary Quednow and Don Bulson are good guys and the tall, gray-haired fellow has his days, but Gary was the heart and soul of that business. It's a shame illness keeps him on the sidelines.

(3) Wanna meet somebody? Try Paul Boisjolie's HyVee Food Store. We've got two other great super markets in town, but this place is incredible. I've been stopped by Bill Jr.

and Meri Jo Lonergan, Dale Rossow, Jeanne Sheehan, Jim Cavanaugh, Mike Lee and kids, Sterling Thompson without Vyla and an attractive blonde woman, who couldn't talk, but laughed uncontrollably when she recognized me and all on one Saturday morning of grocery shopping.

(2) Nice people die. It happens all the time, I know. Some touch you more than others. First it was Dave Quinlan. Now it's Dick Koski. It just ain't fair.

And the number one change, revelation or observation after seven months on the sidelines is ….

(1) You still gotta pay attention.

On one morning I ran into Bob Schulz, Wayne Rustad, Janet Dixon, Adeline Blowers, Katie Hays, Lonnie Delaney and the dynamic duo, Clara Berg and Mona Narveson and I forget what I was doing at the Austin Medical Center.