So. Brother Ray has passed on. Makes we wonder who's next. Not to be crass, but they die in threes, you know. Reagan, Ray...

In any event, it's been quite the week. More work on the garden done, more work on the house. And my short story is still sitting off by itself. I'm getting anxious and crabby. I really need to get back to it. I think I'll try to write some tonight. I have a monster headache, but if the Aleve doesn't fix it, maybe writing will.

K, Avadore and I got with my good friend Neal and his wife (Heather) last night. They're visiting a nearby town for Toby's (their beagle) dog show. For dinner we had pasta and salad at Buddy's. So, so fabulous! K and Neal had Spumoni and Avadore and I had Caramello for dessert. Bang your hand on the table good!

After dinner, Neal and Heather came by. We had a nice visit until about 11:30 p.m., and then they went back to their hotel room so all could get some good sleep for the show today. Hopefully, we'll be able to get together before they go back home.

So here's the weird thing, ya'll. Neal and I met on the internet. We were in a Hatrack writers' group together almost two years ago. The group fizzled big time, but Neal and I clicked and have been great friends ever since. This was the third time we've seen each other IRL. We've spoken on the phone five or six times.

Let me tell you just how weird it is hanging out on the couches with someone you're used to hanging out on the computer with. It's almost like the Neal online is different from the Neal IRL. Before, when we've hooked up, it was at a restaurant where they live when we've been there for other things. This time I took him home. To my house. I just mixed my realities. It's like being at college or another town and bringing someone from home into your other life. But it was cool. I really like him a lot; his wife is nice, too.

Once upon a time, I might have laughed at people who met one of their best friends online. Well, Neal just screwed that up. :)

So, evidently Andy Kaufman is going on a Starbucks/WalMart tour. Really? Eh, hard to say. It may or may not be Andy, who may or may not be going on tour. Does it really matter? No. Because it's all such a good time. And I like thinking he's back.

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I think my other problem is that my life has been without some of its more meaningful components lately. My life isn't just writing and Avadore and the household... there's the spiritual aspect that I've been lax on lately. Long story (don't feel like rehashing it -- maybe another time), but I got burned pretty badly and the after effects are hanging on. Time to take bigger steps than I've been taking and reclaim this part of myself.

And get back to more regular writing. I tend to do better if I write pretty much everyday. The last month plus has been really bad for that. I've got to take control of that part of my life, of myself, as well.

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My friend Michelle gave me some Friendship Bread (a.k.a. Amish Friendship Bread) starter. Today was Day 10, so I baked it. My house is infused with vanilla, sugar and cinnamon. So lovely, and it's delicious. I'm going to try to make some for K (who's gluten intolerant) with rice flour, or a rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch flour blend.

If anyone wants the recipe, let me know and I'll either send it or post it for you.