1.  The whirlwind trip north was, if not unalloyed fun, at least unalloyed interesting. Had a lovely visit with a friend from a big writing workshop I did in my youth.  Had a wonderful time with the friends who were here last week, hosting us in their house instead.  Had a great time going to check out The Farm.  The Boy didn’t explode with fury even once in the car over traffic delays – always a traveling hazard with him.  A good (if WAAAAYYY short) weekend.

2.  Slept poorly in NH, but divinely once I came home.  It’s almost worth a nearly sleepless night to sleep soundly for 8 hours….

3.  Only 67 days left, according to my widget.  This makes me __________!
a) Happy
b) Terrified
c) Eager
d) Impatient
e) All of the Above

Um, yeah.  Let’s make that answer an ‘E’.

4.  While standing outside the hotel, chatting with my writing friend, a hotel  employee came up, obviously interested in Nellie the Wonder whippet.  “Of course you can pet her – she LIVES to be pet” we assured him.  He proceeded to fall all over himself adoring her.  When he was done, he thanked us profusely, gave us his name to use if we needed anything.  We assured him we were fine, and he suggested we go use the gazebo.  “It’s ok, it’s still wet from the rain but we’re fine, thank you anyway.”  Well, then nothing would do but that he came out with an armload of towels and dried off the gazebo seats for us. “Thank you!  Thank you so much!”  Another few minutes went by with us sitting in the (now) dry gazebo, and out he comes again – this time with an armload of water bottles, a bowl from the restaurant and the explanation, “I could hardly bring the dog some water without bringing some for you all too – just be sure to tell anyone who asks that you bought it at the gift shop!”

All I can say is “Wow” -  Marriott Boston, your employees are amazing (if, perhaps, wasted outside the area of animal care – get thee to a veterinary school, young man!)  And Michael, wherever you are, I truly hope that you get lots of things in your life that make you as happy as playing with Nellie did.

5.  After last week’s nasty bouts with acid reflux, this week I seem to be fine whether I eat spicy Pakistani food, or mellow cheese & crackers.  Don’t know what triggers this stuff, but it’s nice to get another break for a while.