where are we and what IS going on?

Right this minute I am sitting in the park while Youngest plays.
I love that he plays, as you all know.
I am just back from meeting Jan - who was just the cutest person in the WORLD.
And I said that to her, I said LOOK AT YOU, YOU ARE JUST TOO ADORABLE.
She's tiny and has wonderful curls and a fabulous smile and twinkly eyes and we had a very nice cuppa.

Oldest is waiting to hear about a big sheetrock job and spending time with his oldest friend in the world before she returns to college.
Middle is spending his days in town, looking very very chic.
K is at work where rumors and news reports and dramatic staff changes would leave ME completely ill at ease, but where he sits and thinks and does his fine work without ever becoming embroiled in the mess around him.

The start of school looms large in the not so distant future.
I don't want to send them back and they don't particularly want to go.
I wish we could run away...
...and we are, sort of -
on friday we will take a trip to K's father's farm where I promise to take lots of photos of us with animals, where we will be wined and fed like nowhere else on earth (K's father loves to cook for people) and where, weather permitting, we will spend a day on Granddad's boat.
(A boat trip AND animals! Just imagine!)
I don't know if Granddad, on his farm, where he raises grass-fed organic beef cattle, has WIFI, but we'll see.
Won't we.

A short bit on love and hatred...

Why I Hate The Neighbors Who Live Behind Us:

- They run their lawn sprinkler all night long and it is one of those ticking ones. TSK TSK TSK it goes all night. I cannot take the sound of it anymore and am contemplating putting holes in their hose.
- Their lawn, bathed in sunlight and lovingly doused with water, is perfect.
- After giving our children permission to cut through their yard in bus-stop emergencies, they YELLED LIKE A FISHWIFE at Youngest when he did so.
- They do not smile or nod when we see each other.
- In fact, they look askance.
- They leave a light, over the kitchen sink, burning all night and it is very bright and can easily be seen from my bathroom where I would prefer not to see it or hear the sprinkler TSK-ing at me.

Why I Love The Neighbors Who Live Across The Street From Us

- Usually, if I run out of something (milk, eggs, tahini) they have it and happily hand over some.
- Their lawn looks pretty much the same as ours.
- They have two adorable daughters who I can admire from afar and up close.
- They have wifi and share it when mine is down.
- She is a psychologist, which I used to be uncomfortable with but now like very much.
- He has a cell phone business, and a vitamin business and a Chinese herbal remedy business which I find fascinating.
- They have always made us feel like we could go to them if we needed help in some way and vice versa, and there have been times when we have availed each other of those offers.
- They have, for some reason unknown to me, an amazing relationship with Oldest. I have no idea why, but he can often be seen passing the time of day, unloading groceries for her, lifting heavy objects, or smiling and waving. Yesterday, she told me what a great guy he is - I came in the house (where he was in the kitchen with several friends) and thanked him for being such a good neighbor to her and his friend Z said: Is that the one you told me is hot?
(He WAS joking.)

Finally, in the Isn't-It-Funny-How-There-Are-No-Coincidences Department: (and, yes, it's only a matter of time before I start handing out business cards for my friend The Psychic because she is THAT talented) - Whilst doing nothing too special for our 24th and looking toward number 25, I began telling K that I thought he should bring me to Italy next summer.
Meanwhile, I was having a wee fit as a commenter who leaves very nice words for me had never registered an email address -- and lo, not only does she write to me directly, but she handles some beautiful rentals...IN ITALY!
We'll see.
Won't we.