I almost forgot the beer. 

Were you waiting long?

Oh dear.  It's been a while.  More than one of you has said something, one person in particular, and I'm so very sorry for keeping you waiting.  C'est la vie.

Summer was wet, hot, exhilarating, and full of milestones.   I become one with my bicycle, then cursed it after a week long ride across Iowa that left my hands number and wife giggling at my confused racial identity (aka cyclist tan lines).   Despite the heat and pain, it was a great way to reconnect with my Dad, an old high school friend, and a great roommate about to retire from the Navy.  Later this year I celebrated my parents 40th anniversary(!!!) and more recently visited the inlaws (twice!) along the border.  Not THAT border.  Less tequila, more redneck hippies and amazing vistas down near Shasta and Oregon Caves National Park.

I can't complain, though I'm not sure what's next.  For now I'm running before dawn and lusting after Italian bicycles and DSLRs.  Wife goes on vacation in a couple of weeks, who knows what she'll come back to...