It’s a rainy day. And he hated the rain. I haven’t written this summer, because I have hated this summer. I have avoided this post, and though I have remained stoic, today when the skies opened up and cried, I cried too. Hard. We said goodbye to Ivan on June 26th, only

For nothing in particular, but everything. For teaching me how to throw that softball, cast that line, mow in perfectly straight rows. For having the patience to show me the details of a perfectly lighted Christmas tree, a delicately pruned tree, and a meticulously organized garage. (I’m still working on that one…)

(This post was written on 5/26) ********* There –  I did it. I finally said it. I’ve always depended on a prolific vocabulary to keep me from uttering vulgarities on such a public site.  I delight in profanity. Truly. And though I tend to keep it tucked away behind closed doors, the