Things...

See how quickly a week can go by?
So much...okay... first things first. Blogger has gone to a new administrative format for posting and so far, I hate it. 'Nuff said.

Second, Steinvic just came home from his weekly commute. He brought home a patio fountain and a garden hose rolly uppy thing...nice surprise and supports my courtyard efforts from last weekend. I weeded, trimmed, tossed, mulched and planted. Replaced lawn chairs and built little brick dividers. Hung celestial pretties and sprayed old ones with Rustoleum so they'd look new again. It's coming along...significant because our place is tiny and we feel like this is an extra, well-cherished room, where we spend lots of time in the summer.

Third, and very much a higher rank than third, but this is how these stream-of-consciousness posts go, Houdini celebrated a year with us on Monday. Yep, one year ago this week, we made a very long drive to Connorsville, IN, to a really nice home to pick up a really remarkable puppy. I remember how he studied our faces during the long ride home, sizing us up, whimpering and wondering what the hell. He was so small and so sweet and so wonderful. We'd read the articles, studied the books, bought the supplies and equipped ourselves for the first few tough nights. What we didn't prepare for is how much we'd adore him. Such limitless love and joy for our little guy, even when he tries our patience. He's learning, he's phenomenally loyal, and such fantastic company...best company we could ask for. Here's to Houdini's Anniversary!

Fourth. Dallas. LOVED. We had an extraordinary conference. And as far as the area we were in? The Warwick Melrose was fabulous. The Library Bar there is expensive but the music is A+ and they'll treat you like royalty. Go to Idle Rich and ask for Will...best bartender ever. Black Friar and Cosmic Cafe have vegetarian options I actually miss. Ojeda kicks the crap out of Mexican options here in Ohio. (Don't laugh...we have some authentic-ish Mexican restaurants here.) And we got to see a great friend and her husband...haven't seen them in nearly a decade. Awesome. We went to Dealy Plaza and it was surreal, informative and overwhelming. As controversial as I've read it is, it's one of those places we felt obligated to go. I'm glad we did. Not in a happy-glad way, but in a historical-respect-glad way.

Future. We'll celebrate Young Man's birthday tomorrow! 22. I can hardly believe it. He has such personality, such talent, such promise. I'm taking a half day to finish cleaning and prepping and baking in preparation for his visit. He and his new girlfriend (!) will get here tomorrow night, and we're looking forward to a whole weekend with them. I met Young Man when he was just 13, and it's been amazing to watch him grow and transform into a young adult...who I admire. Smart. Opinions, but listens respectfully. Knows bullshit when he smells it, and beauty when he sees it. I have said to Steinvic a zillion times that if I'd had my own, biological son, I couldn't have dreamed of one as fine as Young Man. We are blessed.

So...there is a tangenty-tangley update. I miss it here. All 22 pounds less of me...how fitting with Young Man's birthday, right!?  I'm gonna go hug the puppy and get dinner together for me and Steinvic. It's a cozy homecoming night...what else could a girl ask for?