Reno: Part Deux

Well, I'm in Seattle now (with Charlotte) and Chris and Lorelei went on their merry way back to Maryland. I'm told she slept on the plane, which makes sense. The kids always sleep for him, and never sleep for me.

I type this from my folks' deck, atop a mountain and nestled in cedars. It's a warm night. I'm surrounded by citronella candles (PLEASE WORK) and a cocktail (because I'm on Opp property and all). It's dark out. Pitch black, except for the two candles and my bright computer screen. When I shut the laptop, I can see oodles of stars. And the silhouettes of trees. Trees thousands of times taller than the shit they grow in Maryland.

Right, Reno: The past week was jammed with golf camp, which Charlotte actually really liked; pool time; potty training regression; and a bit of casino time for mommy and daddy. Oh, and a massage. I'm told my shoulders are a mess. Whether it's due to my time on a computer working or my cling-on Lorelei, who knows.

This week, my aunt is flying up from California, I plan to see some friends, and I'll also be saying adios to my childhood home, which is sold pending inspection. More on that later.

I'll start with what we've been reading, for various photo-posting problems.

Charlotte and my books are practically merged this week, hence the combo photo. I, mercifully, finished the oh so very wretched Island Girls, along with the (far better) Love and Other Perishable Items while in Reno. I'm nearing the end of The Beautiful and Damned, which has been time well spent.

I started Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead. Meanwhile, Charlotte and I are continuing with The Tale of Despereux, which my mother overheard and found . . . weird. "It's DiCamillo," I said. "It's a genuinely good book. TRUST ME." That goes for you too, Reader.

Okay. Now that you're done skimming THAT, here are some photos to prove we actually went to Reno:

Dawn in the desert.

Lorelei frog.

Happy swimmer.

Happy jumper. Scared catcher.

"Catch me!"

She seriously looked like a little froggy swimming along.

Fearless.

Done with golf camp for the day.

My little golfer girl!