We are lucky to have minimal allergies. Only a couple of medical ones that are really easy to avoid and the dreaded seasonal allergies that the rest of the world has as well.

Yesterday was Summer Solstice. It’s the “official” start of the summer season even though we’ve been having summer weather for over a month here.

Wow–10 years ago. It was really a lifetime ago because so much has changed between us and in our lives and world.

I’ve been writing this post for a while now. I have this idea in my head, and I keep writing, putting it down in the post and then pausing to re-read it. It seems like every time I do, you just happen to be there sneaking a look.

We finally sneak into the room, avoiding crowds. It’s been an incredible dinner – so much amazing and tasty food – just enough that we’re full, but not enough that it’s uncomfortable. And that wine… it was perfect. We’ve been wandering the grounds, looking at the clear sky and all of the stars, and even catching some of the shooting stars that happen to be whirling by tonight.

As we were walking along the trail, a stone came down on my head. “Ow!”

Books have been my best friend for as long as I can remember. My mom, who did love to read, could never understand why I’d spend summers reading rather than being outside with the other kids.

She had taken her easel and paints to the backyard. The sun hadn’t quite come up over the horizon, but it would soon. It was supposed to be a scorcher with a chance for thunderstorms.

He woke up with a start. His heart was pounding and he was sweating. What had he been dreaming about?

If you ask Snake what his favorite recipe is, what he asks for on birthdays and such, the first thing he’ll come up with is Italian Round Steak. In fact, it’s been his favorite since we got married even with all of his other faves.

You fire up that yoga channel on YouTube – the one you’ve been following religiously now for quite some time. It’s a daily thing, I’m jealous – and at the same time, so very impressed because I can SEE the changes in you. Physically, mentally.

It’s one of those amazing desert nights. The temperature is perfect, the wind is just this very slight breeze, the desert smells because of all of the blooms and plants that are soaking up the recent rains are just incredible. We’re sitting in the pool, just enjoying a glass of wine, talking, and watching the bats fly around, getting their early-evening feast.

“There’s one!” you whisper, and point to the west – I can just make him out against the incredible orange skies as the sun settles in and the last bits of color leave the sky.

They had half an hour to kill before their dinner reservation and the small second-hand shop across the street was still open. It seemed like a good place to wander while they waited.

She had rewritten the speech at least five times. He watched as she starting changing words again, then closed the window and stomped off.

Sometimes, it’s all about the smallest things.

Those things that say when someone really has their guard down, is totally in the moment and completely… relaxed. Well, I don’t know about totally relaxed, but she does have a tell.

We have strict rules about O’s for me. Permission first. I guess I should say, a strict rule. That’s it, that’s the rule.

For 5 years in this D/sFLR, I’ve actually done really well and haven’t screwed up yet. Yes, she’s been known to force the issue when she feels like it and override my not letting things get too far, taking it from me, as it were. But just flat out getting it wrong? I’ve always been pretty proud about not crossing the proverbial line in the sand.