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Of horticultural miracles and physical ones, too

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First, let me say that we had a wonderful time in Oregon punctuated with laughter and wine and gorgeous scenery. But I do have to tell you that Lori Froese DID try to kill me by having us hike up what she (and the world) calls a Butte, but my thighs call a mountain.  Indiana's elevation is about 760 feet above sea level, which makes me a native flatlander. Oregon's elevation ranges from 0 (the Pacific Ocean) to 11,249. The summit of Spencer Butte aka Mountain is  2,058 feet. It is the highest point along Eugene’s 2,100-acre Ridgeline Park system, and there are two pathways up. Lori grew up as a flatlander in Colorado's non-mountainous region but has became an Oregonian many years ago. As a Goshen University grad, she is also an honorary Hoosier. Lori DID describe both access  points, and I DID agree that we should take the challenging one up the 755 winding feet to the summit.  I've been taking pilates and yoga. I have good hiking shoes. I felt ready. Plus, my scout ...
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Provincetown...better than Brigadoon

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If you ever find yourself in Boston, you should do yourself a favor and take the ferry to Provincetown. It's a little bit like  Brigadoon . It doesn't only appear once every 100 years to random people, but it IS quite magical. I've said for years that Pride Day in Indy is the city's best day because everyone is friendly and fun and fabulous during the festivities.  Provincetown is Indy Pride on very happy steroids and with an ocean view. My dear friend Tina Noel and I found ourselves in this paradise because earlier in the year, we'd had the fortune to spend some time with our dear friend Jonathan Swain. We'd met thanks to being part of the Frank O'Bannon-Joe Kernan team, and we have thanked them both repeatedly through the years for bringing us together. Jon moved first to D.C. and then to Cambridge, Mass., while Tina and I stayed in Indy. Rather than just sigh and talk about how much we miss seeing Jonathan after that springtime visit, we actually put our ...
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Feels like a birthday year

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People have been asking me what we're doing for my birthday this year, and I gotta tell you, I'm exhausted already just thinking about what we have going on. Sneaking in specific birthday stuff is quite literally beyond me this year. Survival will be the best gift possible. I'm not complaining. We've already had record travel fun this year, including my first-ever cruise that I feel like I just left. Still to come are trips to Boston, Oregon, Florida, California and Maine.  My birthday falls the day before our annual Sleepover Book Club - which is always a huge, super fun day of excess. (And yes, we'll not only discuss the book, but we'll rate the year's books from best to worst. I have a reputation as a hard grader, but really, don't people need to know what to read and what to skip?) Before Book Club, we're having dinner with friends and the day after Book Club, we have tickets to see The Black Keys. I also just had four great days with Ali and Bea...
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Where to start?

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 It's been an extraordinarily busy summer for the two semi-retired Reeds on Castle Row. Before Ali and Beau drop in for a few days, let's catch up a bit. 1. We are still married and I still am battling weeds in the yard. 2. I went on my first cruise with Tracy, Elizabeth and new friend Breanna Stark. It was a Virgin Voyage to Cozumel and Bimini, and it was amazing. I worried about sea sickness, but you could barely feel the boat move. I worried about the crush of crowds, but it wasn't crowded, except at parties and that was fun. I didn't lose all my money at the casino, and I came away a deeper tan rather than sunburn. All told, a terrific experience, more so due to Tracy's incredible travel hacking. 3. I've started hot yoga and Pilates with Karin and Kaitlyn Ogden, who are veterans of the sweaty sport. I can't do all the things, and I once puked a little in my mouth, but made it through the class. Once, I had to take a breather and get a snack before I trus...
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All Roads Lead Home

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 We're back from our long and winding road trip to Maine, and the only regrets I have are that I didn't stay longer at the lake with Jen and Peter and that I didn't arrange for lawn care while we were gone. The yard was WILD upon our return. I missed the peak bloom of my Fire King and Day lilies and there was a small forest of volunteer Morning Glories in the back yard. I'm still trying to tame it all, and was super happy to see a Hydrangea I'd about given up on in the back struggling to shoot its blooms out among the emerging Brown Eyed Susans, which are threatening to take over the place. The Canna Lilies broke out, too, with more on the way, and the Dahlias are shooting up out front. I'll be out there for a while over the next several days. Send Aleve. I'll drop a bunch of links in my summer trip summarization if you're a mind to traipse about as well. The highlights : Indy to the Canadian side of Niagra Falls and Niagra on the Lake :  a pairing I hig...
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Raccoons and Rainy Days with Sun in the Forecast

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The young raccoon gang remains in my neighborhood but they've gotten stealthier. We haven't seen them since I took photos/videos last week. I know they're still here because they're still dropping packages. Raccoon poop is rank, man.  Ali's boyfriend, Beau, upon seeing my videos of them, begged me to "forgive them their sins," and let them be, and I did plan to relent. But then the poop bombs began again and I'm about to go Dana Hamilton on them.  Dana and I grew  up together. She recently posted about victory over a mole that had been plaguing her. I'll spare you the photos, but man, don't mess with Dana.  Anyway, it's been a rainy late spring. We've been biting our nails watching the Pacers in the playoffs, and last night we finally saw Caitlin Clark play in the flesh. Didn't expect fights at a WNBA game, but there were two incidents that are still making the rounds on social media. The Fever game was more violent than the No King...
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**it Happens. Sure. But it shouldn't happen here...

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I don't know who needs to hear this, but I am not a pet owner. To paraphrase young Alison Reed, "I don't have a dog. I don't have a cat. I don't have a pet." She followed that up with no brother or sister either, none of which - including a pet unless you count a short-lived fish from the fair - we ever blessed her with. We're clear? We do not have a pet. Why, then, am I repeatedly finding what I suspect is dog poop in my yard? On my driveway. In both front and back yards. In two different window wells.  Now, I'm no expert on excrement. I rejoiced when we finally said goodbye to diapers and I will forever hold dear Miss Debbie and the rest of the Day Nursery team who helped Alison learn to deal with her own bodily creations. I didn't enjoy the diaper yeas. I don't even like dealing with poop when I'm the one producing it.  And I certainly don't spread it around the neighborhood.  This is not the rando pooper; just an illustration. I lik...
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