There Was Maine

I thought I might not ever get back to this crazy blog thing, but the reasons aren't all bad. One great reason for being absent is that Neats and I actually stole away for three days in Maine to belatedly celebrate her putting up with me for 20 years of marriage (and a few before that). There was much eating and lazing about, but also some wonderful hiking in the woods up along the coast--and of course, plenty of colors to peep.

It is amazing how even three days seems like such a huge amount of time when you aren't responding to work and kids' schedules and all of life which seems to make the day fly by. It allowed us time to actually have long conversations and talk through life and our kids and the future in a way we felt we hadn't done for years it seemed.

And there was food and wine to slowly enjoy as we talked. If ever in Portland, which was our base, may I recommend:

• Fore Street
• Evangeline
• Street and Co.

And at some point, stop in for breakfast at Bantliff's Cafe (and yes order the Lobster Benedict). All of which is why you need to go for long walks during the day which feed your other senses. See.

Spring Goings-Ons (Rationalizations)

I realize that I often write lists of excuses as to why I haven't blogged lately--which I realize are really journal entries of what is going on in my life right now--which I realize qualify as the very reason people keep blogs. In short, I am not sure what my compulsion is with apologizing for not writing for the two people that read this here blog, but perhaps I am just trying to fit this blog into the Protestant-guilt/rebellion genre where I write about music to rebel, but apologize for my inadequacies as a blogger.

Whatever.

Here are a few of the things that have occupied my time as of late as opposed to blogging.

• A week-long series of meetings at work.
• The Engineer's baseball team, which has clawed its way back to almost .500 which plays or practices three days a week (resulting in me saying to my work colleagues, "uh yeah, that is critical, but I gotta leave to get to a little league game).
• Virtually everyone in The Captain's preschool class being born in the same two months resulting in a weekly (or two) birthday parties.
• The Artist's birthday, Neats' birthday, Mothers Day, and our 20th anniversary.
• Fantasizing (again) about having a group music blog with Lisa B, College Roomy, North Shore Dave, Wobblie and DR--that would be hip.
• Enjoying that fact that because ESPN seems obligated to show every Yankee game I got to watch the Tigers take three of four from them this week.
• Speaking of the Tigers, we happen to mention that we are getting tickets to Commerica in August and all 26 members of my family decide that is a good idea and are joining us--so add coordinating that and getting tickets and hotels to the list.
• Garden, garden, garden (more on that to come).
• Starting to listen to the two package of discs that recently arrived--one ordered and one a nice surprise from College Roomy.
• Fretting about not blogging (that takes up a lot of time)!

And now off to a baseball game, take care of the yard and make an anniversary dinner reservation!