I, too, have a long commute, much out it out of cell-phone service areas. I do the NPR thing as well. I’ve learned that some days, though, I need to think. Quietly, sometimes, like a daydream. Other times, I need to think aloud, and that’s where the recorder comes in handy. I’ve written great ledes and horrible ledes, outlined stories and made shopping lists.

I tried books on CD, but my car player is so old that the new CDs won’t play.

Humming is another alternative, as is belting out Christmas tunes from November 15 to December 26.

Wish we could carpool!
Lisa