... for the party, though it is so good to see the old, friendly, familiar faces again. I spent the summer elsewhere, first in Chicago, then on my iron steed, and finally treasuring fourteen days with our son, who is now deployed in Iraq.

The empty nest never seemed quite so empty -- ten years ago when I was peering around dark corners in the Forum and begging Birba for hints, my boy was just nine. *sigh*

Hope you all are well!