This is going to be a great weekend.

Unlike the rest of the world, I wasn't looking forward to the fourth (I live about four hundred yards from the city park where a murder of people congregate every year for that little slice of Americringing called bandstand concerts and fireworks, hence I can't even find parking on my own street) and have instead been itching for this upcoming weekend.

Why? Well, because both my big/little sisters are coming to visit.

Have I mentioned that I think these two are, simply put, two of the most wonderful human beings to walk the planet? Have I mentioned that I haven't seen one since around 1991 and the other since 1983? Have I mentioned that I'm about ready to bust at the thought of both of them being here at the same time?

It's been too long.

Finally, proof for my wife that I wasn't hatched. She's never met even a single member of my family.

Three more days.

Joseph Haines, signing off from The Edge of the Abyss.