Sorry for disappearing on y’all, but today was Rudi’s birthday, which meant that I spent a lot of time this weekend running around and shopping and cleaning.

The good news is that it paid off and Rudi, who has just toddled off to bed in his old-agedness (Now that he’s a year older than me once more, I can start teasing him again… Clearly his tiredness has nothing to do with the 150+ miles he rode this weekend nor with the hours at which he rose to do so…), seems to have had a nice weekend filled with bike riding, friends, and food. We passed a pleasant evening at Malcolm X Park, where the fountain was running, the drum circle offered an aural backdrop, and our friends helped cap off a great day with a picnic dinner.

One of the blogs I read had a post just this morning about our not taking the time to appreciate the here and now. I just want to put it out there that this evening, surrounded by our six favorite people in D.C., was definitely one of the good old days I’ll be looking back on. I could feel a sense of well-being and happiness wash over me as we lay on the blankets and played board games. It was just … right. Emily Gibbs would be pleased.

On other fronts, the Burrow is still a mess. It’s frustrating, but it feels like we’re making progress toward achieving some balance and harmony with our surroundings again. I have to keep reminding myself that since it didn’t reach this stage overnight, it’s unreasonable to expect to rectify it that quickly. This weekend’s big steps were to put together a shelf we bought back in February (sadly, it’s true; we even schlepped it awkwardly home through the aftermath of Sno(w)verkill) and to start a box of things that should head to Goodwill.

Finally, think good thoughts for my garden, please. The weekend’s hectic schedule didn’t leave time to make it down there, so I’ll be heading over after work, rain storm or not. I hope my plants can forgive the neglect.