Back in town

We're back in town and recovering nicely from our trip to California. We all had a fabulous time, and it's easy to see why so many people are willing to cram themselves on top of each other to live there. We saw glimpses of Las Vegas and Phoenix during layovers, and the prevailing impression was that of a splat of humans in the middle of a sun-parched desert. Southern California took all the good elements of a desert climate (low humidity being the main plus) and left out the searing heat and lack of any plant over six inches tall. Cora loved the palm trees and swore she would tell her teachers all about them when she got home.

Uncle Dan is in town now for Cora's birthday tomorrow, so the party continues. Cora is quite excited to be four years old. Fireworks started last night, so it looks like the Independence Day festivities are taken seriously in this neighborhood.