Sunday was the feast of the Holy Family, so it was nice that Roni came over and joined us at church. I had three family members in the pew with me, and Rich ushed.

Then she went back to check out with R.J., and they came by to pick up their goodies and to go on a walk by the River. Roni heard that I once saw a beaver along this stretch and she, too, is determined to see a beaver. We left Rich screaming at the television (he LOVES football, just ask him! But it's giving him an ulcer, and if not him, me) and took Sailor. What with all the canine company the day before, and the run around the field, and the stocking full of doggie-goodies, and then this walk, the dog has been in heaven.

Vince sleep-walked through the 4.2 miles. We didn't see a beaver, but we did get a good view of a couple of red-shouldered hawks. The salmon have spawned and died and the smell at this time of year is dog's delite. There are hundreds of gulls having a grand old time, and the occasional turkey vulture. (Last year there were dozens of those, too.) It was a nice walk, even without beaver. I guess they live in holes in the bank with underwater entrances, since we didn't see any beaver huts.

Then it was time to say goodbye to Roni and R.J. In a stunning turnaround, Monica forgot stuff and Roni didn't. We sat around, and dozed. I'm sure this was a turkey stupor, and nothing to do with the fresh air walk or the wine, naah.

Yesterday I was to meet The Mighty Kymm and Beth for lunch. I'm quite used to being the only one early or on time for any appointment, so when I pulled into the lot 4 minutes early, after checking the door on the side, I just vaguely stuck my head into the restaurant and looked. It was well-crowded, mostly with Yuppie males on lunch break. So I started to hang around outside, and look at all the people driving by, and walking out, and all. I looked in at 1:10 again, more carefully. There were two women sitting in the bar, but they didn't look at all like I thought the journallers did, so I went out again. My insecurities are such that I did think for a second that I'd been set up, but I squelched that thought right away because of their journals. It would be hard to fake "nice" for that long. I was considering going back to wait in the car when Kymm came out and said "Jan?" They were hiding in a corner behind a big booth wall. They had thought I would ask the waitress. They don't know ME very well! If we're lost in a strange town, it's almost always Rich who asks directions. Besides, the first time I had looked in, the waitress was running her socks off.
I felt duly guilty when I saw they'd held up lunch while waiting for me. I had a Cornish pasty, once Kymm had told me how to pronounce it. We had a good hour eating (burnt cream is a great dessert, truly, and their bread pudding wasn't as good as Kymm's, to her obvious satisfaction) and then, since there was some pre-airport time, we went back to Beth's (lovely lovely!) house for coffee. It looks to me like the back yard will recover better than she thinks.

Aha! I outwaited her! So now I can tell you Beth IS TOO cute! (That's "too" as in "oh yes she is!" rather than "she's just annoying cloyingly cute!") She also has a Foam Fetish Feline. (That would be Rudy.) Bad Bennie ran away when he saw me, and Susie was willing to be petted till Rudy barged in. Rudy is the Only Cat to deserve any attention at all, just ask him. We talked about a lot of subjects, but we did NOT discuss politics! I had told Vince, before I left, that I was off to see the Ax-Murderesses, and he told me they were probably in more danger from me. Nothing like a loving son to put it all in perspective.

Christine Lahti, eh? I don't know her except for Chicago Hope, but I'll take it. I was told long ago I looked like Candace Bergen, but I think we've gone our separate ways in the last 20 years.