15 Consolations

We have counted it down, crossed off the days on the calendar, torn the rings from the paper chain, and finally it is here! My Mom and Dad arrive today!
It is impossible to sum up the excitement we are feeling about the touchdown of that airplane they are aboard.

Ecstatic?
Thrilled?
Eager?
Keyed Up?

Yep. All of that.

We will give them exactly one night to adjust themselves to the European clock and tomorrow morning the seven of us will be piling into a rented van to take a road trip through Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. Our ultimate destination is the village of Praz sur Arly where we spent Christmas 2006. We have rented two chalet style flats for our stay and plan to spend our time exploring the area, taking in the countryside by foot, and enjoying the week away together.

When I say away, I mean that in a very literal sense. There will be no television, no phone and no wireless hookup where we are going. Obviously, I will be out of touch.

For your pleasure while I am away, and ultimately mine when I return, I leave you with this list of links to ME.

• Things maybe you haven't read because you weren't here yet.


• Photos you might not have seen.


• Posts which are crying out for your feedback, your opinions, your comments.

Even if you've read them before, tell me you stopped by. It will make me feel all tingly inside. Really. Just share a little love won't you?

It may look like a long list, but take it in just like you'd face an elephant on your dinner plate: One bite at a time friends.

First the posts:

• Promoting Globe Trotting
• Mama Had a Baby
• Running Man
• Taking it In
• Speaking English
• Fumbling Folding Follies
• See Through
• The Picture; Then the Thousand Words
• Shaken, Not Stirred
• Package Police

Then, the photos:

• Return of the Spring
• Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'
• Simultaneous Seasons
• Wet Weather Gear
• Inside, Outside, Upside Down

It's something to do right? You'll visit every day while I am gone, yes?

I can't wait to see what you have to say.

Friday Fifteen

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*quickly! an update before I leave for the airport*

Still shameless self-promotion here. Scribbit's Write-Away contest for August has been posted. I get to judge the entries. You should give it a go! Come on, you know you want to.

And now, because Fourier Analyst asked, and because I said I would, here is another Haiku. It will be my last entry to Leslie's Haiku Buckaroo contest. (Really, Leslie, I am done inundating the inbox with entries!) If you haven't entered YET--and I know you will--you have until Friday, August 10 to get it done.

speaking the sublime
in complete coherent thought
is pure poetry