Ephemera

I've been spending a lot of inward time, probably too much, so I'll point you toward this hibiscus along our front gate -- intense color, perfect shape, a vessel for images of passion and joy. And I'll reflect on the fact that it blooms for one day, one short day, before withering. So. In the last week:

-- Steve invited us (Ben and Ken, too) for a gathering he was having at the Chinese place near his house. It was a fine group -- the guys who founded Fantasy Fest, the 50-year couple from across the street, Nick's best friend from San Francisco -- and we talked and laughed and gorged. I'd taken Steve some brownies: "I can't do much for your heart, but your stomach I can handle."

-- We saw B&K off at the airport, teary to see them go, and the weather instantly changed, to the mid-70s, so the doors and windows came open and the AC went off. Perfect island living.

-- Robert finally came in first in a bridge game here.

-- With gold at a 20-year high, I finally sold another part of Dad's stash and got the money into Mom's investment account, where it will generate income after all these years fallow.

-- Jimmy Weekley lost the runoff for mayor, by 56 votes.

-- I appreciated everyone's thoughts and prayers more than they'll know.

-- Several dozen more hibiscus blossoms budded, grew, did their thing without a lot of fuss and died.