Jersey Blurbs

Spent about 4 days in New Jersey this weekend. I'm very glad I went back on a random weekend, and not a holiday. During the holidays, one tends to be spread thinner than canned cranberry sauce all over the few precious hours people have to gorge themselves on turkey or ham. This weekend, there was no turkey and no ham, but just plenty of precious hours for me to gorge myself on my family.

My father is doing great. My mom, the same. To see them again and to feel how close we are makes me wish I were home. In my mind, the memory of cruising down Mount Airy road in my mom's new convertible, with the heat on and the top down, head back and watching the sun peer through leaves the color of wildfires, is probably one of the most beautiful thoughts I can imagine. I tried to capture it on film, but I'm sure the Kodak disposable camera I brought along with me will only produce a poor facsimile of the treasure I was able to behold. A perfect, golden maple leaf fell on my head.

I've got 4 brothers but only had the pleasure of hanging out with the youngest two, the twins. They'll be 16 next week. Holy mother of Jehovah. My babies are turning 16. They'll be driving. They have deep, bassy voices. Mikey has an Adam's apple. Luke shaves daily. My God, when did they become men? And when did they get it in their heads that they have to take care of me? While I slept, tuckered out from too much wine on Friday night, they refused to wake me, and instead cleaned up after the family party themselves. "She's our guest, mom. We clean up after her." Who ARE these two guys? I was speechless, perhaps a side effect of also being completely and totally full of love. That's what family does - when your oldest sister passes out after getting hammered with her cousins, you cheerily scrub the casserole dishes and delicately dry her wine glass until 1 am. Thanks, guys :)

My dad has two dogs, Rhodesian Ridgebacks. He has a male and a female that weigh about 140 lbs and 90 lbs, respectively. They're smart, friendly, and playful. And at about 250 lbs combined weight, they are not to be denied when they want to play. I found this out when I came down for breakfast on Friday morning. Oof. I think my hip will stop clicking in a few days.

My mom also has a dog, a rust-colored mutt named Ruby. Ruby's had two strokes in the past few months, and though mostly recovered, is a bit wobbly and unsure. I guess most beings that have 2 strokes in 3 months would be, too. But she's the most social dog I know, and on our 20 minute walk around a 4 block area, Ruby was greeted kindly by about 50 people and 25 dogs in the neighborhood. I didn't know how to feel about my mom's wobbly dog being more popular in the town than I was when I was; and I was a cheerleader in high school. I guess I was happy for the dog, and my mom, who was probably also more proud of Ruby's popularity than she was in my own pathetic attempt to make friends. I should have just wagged my tail more often back then.

My dad made a steak for me on Saturday night that was the size of a small child and super-bloody rare. After devouring about 3/4 of it, I decided to go vegetarian. I officially started the vegetarian diet the next day, Sunday...after I had the last 4 pieces of bacon I promised myself I'd ever have. Then I had bacon #5, and THEN I said...NOW I'm vegetarian. I swear. For REAL this time.

The verdict on my hair was 7 yays to 2 nays. Dad, Jeff, Mikey, Aunt Sue, Uncle Steve, and The Cousins all loved the new 'do. My mom and brother Luke though expressed their sadness that the blonde was gone. My mom, interestingly, wished I'd dyed it purple again. I guess she liked that color the best. You just can't please them all.