Oak and 16th, Hays, America

puppers

It was a weekend of family. Our matriarch turned 97 and her health is failing.
She is a magnificent lady and despite her physical ailments, retains a sharp wit and keen memory.
While my sisters paid her a visit, I hung out with younger fam and 2 delightful pups.
One has my heart completely. She is the alpha, a worrier, a champ, and an absolute sweetheart.
She too is getting creaky in her elder years but still has a way of laying her chin on your knee, or flashing you a look, and you feel dog love.

the give

I have such good people in my life, so generous and thoughtful.
Tonight a chef friend poured bubbly and fed me and others morsels she'd labored over for days. Then she sent us home with a clove-scented favor. Friday night I arrived at some other friends' house, cold and wet and tired from work and a long bus ride. They greeted me with kisses and hugs and smiles and a manhattan, perfectly delicious right down to two whiskey-soaked cherries.Yesterday my sister picked me up after another long bus ride (a theme here, no?) and later, my niece shared her favorite bubble gum from Uwajimaya and as we sat next to each other on massage chairs, she patiently leafed through People magazine to show me just the right handsomely-scruffy celebrity.
The best gifts are these, off the list and offered without reserve.