Sept

Bob & Petey went to the Detroit RUSH concert. Apparently we are going to Texas so they can go again??? Petey turned 63 and I took him to Chicago for the Natural History Museum Pokemon exhibit. It was a HOOT! I've hired a gardener. I can't anymore. Z moved out and I need help.

Whoops! skipped August!

Aaaand it is practically the middle of Sept. One of my junk emails pointed out it is only 100 days till Xmas! I still haven't told you about the amazing trip this summer! Paulie put together a "Lit Stop" tour of Cape Cod that finally got my sorry ass to Emily Dickinson's house. Her kitchen (at the Homestead) is under renovation but we did get to stand in her room. It was supremely freaky. Haunted. Pete took a pic of me reflected in her mirror and it is eerie. Turns out Sue was not only cutting edge tech wise (first electric/gas/plumbing) but, she was also kind of a bitch. She had a button on the floor under the dining room to summon serving staff, who pretty much bailed every 6 months. She did have GREAT taste in wallpaper! Right, anyway other haunted history tours, we were all surprised how very somber North Bridge (shot heard round the world?) was. We swung by Walden Pond but it was $30 to park and raining to beat the band so we saw the wee cabin and bailed. We also visited Louisa May Alcott's (abusive? SHEESH her dad was CRAZY) parents house it was really more May's space than Lousia. The docent tried to tell us Louisa "ran" to Boston in five hours to attend a party. Ummmmm...doubtful...those freaking button up ankle boots? Hoop/Crinoline long skirt?? *shaking my head* Let's see we also saw Emerson's house. We went to the Erice Carle Museum of Picture Books. Had lunch with their Peter and he took us to the Lovecraft shop in Providence. We ate lobsters and clams and saw WHALES!!!!! SQUEEEEEEE!!!! Took the 7 Seas tour (tm) (big ass boat but still not as big as Humpback Whales) and met 3 whales: Dross, Salt and Satula. Saw at LEAST 8 other individuals, apparently it is snack time in that warm shallow area. We were 15 miles out and it was absoulutely stunning. Humans are so small and dumb. Also? Got the best pizza in the world back in Baldwin!

Bear's 40th (and Katie's 29th)

What an absolute adventure. First of all can someone explain why I get seasick on land but not on water? Switchbacks. OI...I booked the house!! I knew it was in the mountains...but hoooolyshit...I thought we were gonna die. LOL The charming A-frame house was literally on Lake Arrowhead had five bedrooms and a bar/rec room w/Star Wars Pinball, Galaga and a pool table. And approximately 160 stairs. We were there for a week. Full of swimming and tabletop games, grilling steaks and eating cake. It was peaceful, cool and lovely.

Bloomsday...

It is kinda Pete's gig. When he isn't literally run into the ground trying to take care of HIS patients and M.O's, he has in the past spent the day reading Ulysses in his hammock. Alas, he went to work today. I suspect because in 23 sleeps we ALL (well not the dogs...Miranda is coming to house/chicken/cat sit) go to Lake Arrowhead for Matt's 40th and Katie's 28th. In the mean time Z has taken a mental health day because: pollen, "this economy", Cheeto dust and anxiety about flying are just too much. I get it. My ass has been dragging for days. I wonder if Z isn't feeling grief about Uncle Eoorik. E finally cashed in his chips. We are all in a funk.

Monday

Iz spent the weekend in Portland,Maine with her girls. She is on her way home right now. Got new sofas so the Covid couch has numbered days, once we get past Christmas here w/SoCal kids? It will prly get BURNED (lol). Lot of yard work over the weekend. Z managed to FLIP the riding lawnmower. That was scary. Pete still doesn't have his MachE back. He should sue FORD...srsly... since Valentine's Day when he was off to pick up heart shaped pizza. I am old and tired.

Spring?

DIRECT SOW: I've planted peas, spinach and 2 kinds of lettuce. I've planted my beloved haruki turnips, french breakfast radishes and two kinds of arugula. It is snowing.

Danny's 5th

POKEMON and Climbing Gym!!! What a hoot! Izzy, Pete and I traveled out to SoCal. I was s'posed to go a week early because Fabi was going to Atlanta. That got cancelled; which was good-- because Delta was like..."ummmm...you might want to reschedule cuz FREAKIN BLIZZARD". I am glad I waited because the orginal flight was delayed by 5 hours and it taxied around DTW for 90 minutes. PASS!! Once we got out there it was wonderful. Warm and sunny and parrots and succulents. The boys are getting so grown up! I need to win the lottery even my endo says I should move out there for the winter. I love my house and land but damn it is truly very hard coming home to frozen gray and the Covid Couch. I think today is the last day of 20F. Praise Cheebus.

hey S'up?! weekend recovery mode

The Hashi's isn't hard to live with; not really-- I do need to got pick up my Rx soon though. But, dudes-- I am so freaking tired. Two social events in one weekend (using that term loosely)! J's bDay dinner in Brighton was Saturday night and despite a lot of pre anxiety about driving up North (actually coming home w/potentially buzzed driver was my bigger worry...The good doctor had one glass of wine early on and we were fine.) The roads were assuredly black ice because shitty freezing rain all day. eep. That is neither here nor there. Because GD it was fun hanging out!!! Best conversation IN MONTHS... Gregoire and James trying to decide if audio books count as reading! I was delighted. Great crowd, Nice steak, weird bathroom.

Sunday was pretty chill, (Literally! UGH my knees hate the cold.) I made waffles. We mostly just made sure we had bevvies for MONDAY NIGHT!! WHOOP! WHOOP! Petey grabbed Faygo red pops and he scored special label Labatts. The Wings' centennial and all. Spent Monday afternoon cleaning the bathrooms and "decorating" for hockey watch party. Finally, Monday about 4:30, I got the Toramina's ordered. Hockey was to start at 5:30.

Izzy asked Adri and I asked Nezka--and we had a huge puppy pile to watch Sergei's 91 get raised to the rafters of the Pizza Arena (LCA). An honor that was a long time coming-- that dude can skate.

It was a lovely evening. Katie and Z hung out for the ceremony and pizza and made the puck drop but Katie was wiped too; so Z took her home mid 1st period. We were all a little teary eyed RE/Vladdy and missing COACH. I, of course, made popcorn during the first intermission. Pete made sure the flag was straight and so... rituals in place... THEY WON! IN OT!! It was a GREAT game; reffing sucked. I don't like the 'Canes and my boys WON! SQUEEEEEE. Stayed up too late and had too much junk but it was worth it. Starting to plot for Danny's 5th. Plane fare procured...he wants a croquet set!!