"Where ya been, Anne?"

Yes, I know. We're now strangers once again. It's been THAT long since my last post back in June.

I apologize to all, and can only offer an excuse that sounds suspiciously like a plea for sympathy and unlike my usual more refined use of the King's English: my summer--as my kids would say--sucked.

My husband had three knee surgeries. (The third was two weeks ago.)
He has been on crutches, needing all the wifely support (including trays and chauffeuring) one can imagine.
My dog broke his leg and had surgery. (That was three weeks ago.)
He has been in a splint, needing all the momly support (including bowls and carrying) one can imagine.
Another dog died.
We miss him.
My convertible got flooded out.
We had to get a new one. (Not a convertible.)
Our son went off to college.
We miss him.

This is the complaint department, right?

Sigh.

In the meantime, you have probably moved on to bloggers whose lives are as lovely and decorous and devoid of drama as mine once was.

Before you defect, know that I am coming back.
In fact, I AM back.

Amidst the fall of leaves and its reveal of trees' natural bone structures, the silly fun of Halloween and the onrush of holidays, I am taking a contemplative pause. (But not a blogging one. That one is over.)


The pool is closed down.

Fall wreaths itself at every door.

The porch is cleared of its welcoming white wicker and potted blue hydrangea; only the nascent floor shade remains as a tease of warmer days way ahead now.

So much to catch up on...
please come back again...

Missing you too,
ABL