Summer begins

Here we are, a post in honor of the solstice.

Frank and MJ have been in New Orleans for 10 days, staying in one of buddy Bob's vacant-due-to-Katrina apartments (thanks, Bob!) and visiting with many Maiers. Jerry and Cori were in town, too, and Chuck and Karen came over from Houston. Lori hosted a big Father's Day get-together at her place on the river -- a nice spot to be when the temp exceeds 90 degrees!

Frank also visited with the crew of Jojamela, some sailing folks we got acquainted with online. The original Jojamela was done in by Katrina over in the Oak Harbor Marina (in Slidell). Another couple whose boat was damaged in the storm are also online buddies. They are two of the very few boats presently in Oak Harbor Marina and both couples are living aboard in less than top-notch conditions. The whole gang went to see Big Daddy O play some R&B at Ruby's Roadhouse in Mandeville.

While they were doing that, MJ hung out with cousin Brian at Gary and Judy's. G&J are all moved back into their house, with front stairs replaced and the mud removed from the inside. I'm sure they're glad to be out of their FEMA trailer now that the summer heat and thunderstorms have hit.

Yesterday, Frank and MJ went to see Rickey and Brenda. Rickey was the drummer in the Better Half Dozen, and he had a cleaned-up video of their reunion gig from 1991. As entertaining as I'm sure the video is, Frank and Rickey evidently became the main attraction as they told stories and cracked each other up. I'm sure MJ found it quite educational.

The travelers are due home tonight, which means my alone time is drawing to a close. I've really been soaking up the solitude, watching chick flicks and doing just whatever I want. I can't remember the last time, if ever, that I've had so much time to myself in a stretch like this. But it's been going on long enough now that I'm starting to feel lonely. I'll be glad to have most of my family back (and to be down to only one month til Chloe returns!).

Saturday, I had a nice little gathering of females at my house. It was a fun mix of unschoolers, Microsofties, Maiers, Minshulls, neighbors, and otherwise-uncategorized friends. We had more food than we knew what to do with, and we talked about everything from vegetarianism to racism to labor and delivery to growing up Maier.

Sunday, I woke up with a cold that was maybe really an allergy attack, and I totally punked out on Father's Day. Apologies to my three fathers!! I do love and appreciate you, despite appearances!

Last night, my niece Emma came over for a sleepover date. We did a couple of craft projects (I just love my hot glue gun!), watched "Ever After," talked, read, ate party leftovers, and had a lovely time all around.

Now, I'm sitting here in my clean house, blissfully temporarily unemployed, with my allergies under control and 10 more hours of alone time to enjoy before most of my family returns. Not a bad way to kick off the summer.