Well, after a summer of perfect weather, we finally got some rain.  Usually, we get rain all the way through the month of June.  For the last couple of decades, June has been a wet, sticky mess.  Long ago I told my kids that when I was growing up, June was warm and sunny.  They scoffed at me.  They didn't believe in climate change.  This year was a throwback to the gorgeous, drought stricken Junes of my childhood.

All through June and July, one beautiful, hot day followed another.  We biked, swam, ran, walked, gardened...okay, my neighbor gardened, but I weeded.  At least twice, I weeded.  The point is, it was hot and sunny and we thought it would stay that way.  August is traditionally the hottest, muggiest month of the year.  Without heat, muggy becomes clammy and clammy is what we've had for the better part of the month.

It started right about the time of MJ and Kent's wedding reception.  Not that that storm was anything but fun.  There's no better way to break the ice at a big party than to douse the guests with gallons of rain.  It's easy to let your hair down when it's dripping wet and stuck to the back of your neck!  The rain kept coming right through Katie's Open House, and again, it didn't mar the proceedings one bit.  The day the weather prevents this crowd from having a good time is the day I finally believe in Catastrophic Climate Change Due To Human Behavior.

The day after the last party, my sister and I piled three of the kids into the van and drove them off for a week of Karate Camp.  This is the highlight of the year for Josie.  They stay at a lake out west of town in a camp that looks like it was designed by Hollywood for the ultimate summer camp movie.  The grounds are perfect; just rustic enough yet well groomed enough so that all sorts of games can be played or just tag in the woods.  A game of kick the can could last all week.  Josie and Meg both earned their brown belts, so look out, junior high, these girls can kick ass! 

It rained all the way out to the lake and after we dropped off the kids (they ditched us immediately) we joined the Sunday afternoon bumper to bumper parade of folks trying to get home before they had to return to work on Monday.  It took twice as long to get home as it did to get up there.  It took all day.  I missed another party while sitting in traffic. (Happy 40th, Bob and Maureen!)

Then it rained all week.  I missed Josie but it was kind of nice to have no distractions all week, so I could get back into the groove of working everyday.  I've got another show in three weeks and I'm not even close to ready.  Omigod, three weeks.  Why am I wasting time here?  Oh yeah.  BECAUSE I DONT HAVE ANY IDEAS.

It's okay.  I work best under pressure.


Zack and I took an afternoon off during the week and went and saw Stardust; Robert DiNero, Clair Danes and Michelle Phiefers latest.  It had no buzz and was declared a flop within three days of it's release.

We loved it.

I really didn't know what it would be. I knew it was a Neil Gaiman story and involved witches, but I wasn't at all expecting a funny, clever, light hearted fairy tale.  It had moments that are almost Monte Pythonesque and it reminded me of one of the greatest movies ever.  It wasn't as good as the Princess Bride, but it was very good.  I plan on buying it when it comes out on dvd.  I know I'll watch it more than once.

There were only about twenty people in the audience, but judging by their reactions, they all enjoyed it as much as we did.

The sun came out for the weekend.  Two days that were about as picture perfect as a summer day gets.  Last night, Jay ran into some friends at the vegetable stand and invited them over for dinner.  We grilled the chicken, they brought the corn.  Maybe it was the food, maybe the company, maybe just the fact that we were eating outside after a solid week of rain, but it seemed like the best meal of the summer.

Woke up at 1:30 to the sound of thunder and the feel of rain blowing in my open window.

August is back.