Post Birthday Bliss

Our baby, Henry had a great 2nd Birthday. I guess we really should advance and call him little Henry since he walks on his own now and speaks with improving coherency. Little Henry now has a Dutch Windmill to operate on his Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends wooden track and two more engines to run on the line. He also has a new Matchbox garbage truck in which he can stuff small pieces of fuzz and paper-which is very cool. He was showered with gifts and well wishes-thanks to all.

Max's birthday was on Thursday following Henry's, so we had more cupcakes (choc. chip with choc chip buttercream). We also went out to eat at this place in Auburn, Amsterdam Cafe. It seems a lot like the Cafe in Ames, but has better lighting. The menu is a little more like the Dish in Lincoln (yes!). Henry did really well there and fell in love with Gorgonzola dressing and scallops (not eaten together).

For the first time in a very long time, neither Max or I gearing up for classes this fall. It feels odd, but welcomed. This weekend we thought we would try to break free of the social isolation brought on by the heat and supported by the ac and attend another UU service. We arrived at the UU building to find that there was a pool party instead of a service. Serendipitously we met another couple, a philosopher and computer programmer (just moved here from San Diego) with a little girl, 2.5 yrs, named Laura Mae, that were also unaware of the pool party...so we were able to socialize.

I am reading "The Cookbook Collector," by Allegra Goodman for a new, virtual book club. The book is touted as being a modern day Sense and Sensibility. I cannot say I am in agreement. I have found the first two chapters to be rich and so well written that I kept reading...only to find the middle chapters more like a spider web of mini plots and with an multitude of characters I care nothing for. I continue to read in hopes of finding antiquated words used in a conversation and little nuggets of exceptional writing and originality.

There is this great line in P&P in which Mr. Bennet retorts to Mrs. Bennet when she exclaims, " Have you no compassion for my poor nerves?!" with, " I have a high respect for your nerves, they have been my old friends these twenty years at least."...I think that might be saying that about Hulu while I am in Al. I have just found the Remington Steele episodes. So awesomely eighties and still good, maybe even great. Part of me wishes I could be as daring as Laura Holt.