Amazing July – okay, many of you are enduring summer heat up to two thousand degrees and you’re miserable, your pets are miserable, you’re growling at your spouse and you’re forced to live inside, e.g., Las Vegas. At least in Las Vegas you go into this huge refrigerator and gamble and drink and never ever go outside to melt.

Vol. Three No. Pounds

Home from the OBX which is why I’m late on the newsletter. I gotta say, this year was well-nigh perfect -- only rained a bit some nights, then absolutely perfect sunny days, not ever hellishly hot, incredible meals, birthdays galore, which, naturally, meant delish cakes, donuts, cupcakes, pies, by Tullios, of course, and the very best? NO DRAMA. Just imagine, 45 family members (both sides) and not a single shot was fired. What’s always amazing is people feel compelled to procreate so ages ranged from 2 to ancient.

Amazing May – I can hear the flowers beginning to sing snappy tunes outside my windows. Well, they are baby tunes, of course, another month before they’re more full-throated. The mess of iceberg roses up top on the piazza, yes, I heard the whisperings, they’re having meetings as to whether or not to put forth their bounty this year. Are we worthy? Will we admire them enough?