rain

while everyone else is wondering where the sun went, i'm loving the rainy days. not just because we need it (water shortages and all that) but because i love overcast drizzle. which is why i imagine some day mike and i will end up in portland. maybe when we retire (does a writer ever "retire"?) or maybe in 10 years or so when we no longer have many ties to sacramento. we've been to portland twice together, and both loved the midtown-like neighborhoods and lush landscape. there are trees galore for my little tree-hugger husband, and plenty of parks to wander in. in fact, for those who've never been, it's pretty much sacramento, but without the 100-plus degree heat for five months of the year. and i know i can take the cloudy weather, because i lived in the portland burbs for four years when i was younger. yesterday we took a rainy drive to napa for mother's day lunch, and despite the rain (i'm sure mike did not have fun driving in it) it was a great day. although mike's mom and i have had our differences in the past, the three of us always have a good time together. especially when good food and alcohol is added to the mix! katie will be home wednesday, and i always look forward to spending lots of time with her when she's here. and since this may be the last summer she comes home between semesters, i plan to hang out with her as much as she can stand me. she's the closest thing i've got to a sister (besides the one i have--but she doesn't count because she's psycho). i like to think i'm a positive influence on her, but the truth is she's more of a role model for me than i am for her--other than the nose piercing, which she did first!