Back to the races

I would be lying if I said home has remained a Zen state since the boys returned. Oh my lawd!! The talking is as if to make up for lost time, we've already been to the pediatrician for Ol and cleaned up one of the most explosive, large-scale pukes ever. I am definitely having to reset myself and could not help but take a nap earlier today. While I am so happy to see them, the remaining weeks until school resumes are sure to exhaust and challenge. www.em-i-lis.com

Last night, Mom and I went to Wolf Trap (a great, open-air venue for concerts and performances in Virginia) to hear Diana Ross. We'd bought tickets just the night before in a fit of enthused spontaneity which refused to acknowledge price inflation and the fact that she woke up at 4a yesterday to fly the boys home. It was totally worth it! Diana was incredible, a 69-year-old star from a time when that really meant something. She had a huge band -including two drummers- and changed from outfit to glamorous outfit SIX times. Sequins, feathers, floor-length diva-flair was everywhere: fiery red, coronet blue, a black gown with a neon-yellow boa coat, orange... She sang so many hits (except Reflections; so sad), and the almost-best was the crowd. Everyone was psyched, knew all the words, sang them with abandon, danced the night away in both standing and seated positions. There were young gals, older men and everything in between. We had an absolute ball and on the way home, bought Reflections from iTunes and played it the whole way.

This morning we all started in on a harder-than-get-out puzzle of Hedwig and the Harry Potter crest, went out and gorged on tacos and tonight I'm cooking a feast of short ribs, hominy salad, watermelon and feta stacks with serrano vinaigrette and dessert TBD. Sadly, Mom heads back home tomorrow.

If you love avocados, tomorrow's One Day Deal at participating Whole Foods is: Hass avocados, $1 each.

Hell hath no fury like a cat before an unclean litter box

Nutmeg howled a lengthy wake-up concert -the likes of which I've truly never heard- at my door this morning. I finally opened up so we could cuddle for a bit and noticed one of his rear paws felt slightly crusty. No matter; it was early, he is cute, and I soon forgot. Fast forward an hour and I've given a litter box a shower, given my feet and hands a most serious cleanse, tossed my nightgown into the washing machine, mopped the basement floor in and around the laundry room, given a foot bath to a cat. He didn't enjoy it. What happened at the tender time of 7:30am, you might ask!

As best I can piece things together, there was a feline bathroom situation in a litter box whose seams just couldn't handle the degree of fury inside. Had I not scooped yesterday? Cat poop was all of the places I detailed above; wet cat feet look sadly scrawny and chicken-like.

And top of the morning to you too!