You won't believe my excuse for not attending the Kirkland, WA, concours, which is probably the best in our Pacific Northwest. Herewith, a true confession: A friend, Gayle Kindred, who lives in Bothell not far from Kirkland (which is just across Lake Washington from Seattle), and whom I haven't seen in years, called to ask if we might get together. Knowing he likes the classics, I suggested Kirkland's concours, intending to book myself into a nearby motel. He leaped onto the idea, immediately suggesting I stay with he and his wife to save motel costs, then adding a few more days that would involve a vintage tractor he'd just bought with the hope of a sideline occupation.

My hangup (everyone has a hangup or two) is that I'm uncomfortable staying in other people's homes unless I know them really, really well. I've only met Gayle's wife once, years ago. Nice lady, but I'd like to spend more time with her before becoming her husband's house guest. Note: I'm not antisocial, just shy. So, not wanting to upset my friend's sensibilities, I begged off with an excuse about needing to attend Vancouver's Steamworks Concours. Fortunately the folks at Sports Car Market are willing to sleep with anyone (just joking, guys!) and took some great photos of the Kirkland Concours d'Elegance that you can see here . Enjoy, but don't put me in touch with your shrink. I'll get over my hangup the moment the Queen invites me to stay in Buckingham Palace.

[Photo: Sports Car Market]