Summer here has been ridiculous. We had two months of 85+, no rain, and many nights it didn't get below 78 to cool off. We started the Spring with a late freeze which killed the blossoms on fruit trees and killed the leaves on small trees like Japanese Maples... I didn't know trees would re-grow leaves if they get killed... they did, but it must be a bit of a stress. So, during the drought I actually watered the trees in my yard, but not the flowers or grass. I haven't mowed since July, nor have I needed to (OK, my neighbors might disagree, but not too much).

My love life is sort of like the weather.

At the end of last year, after 11 years together, my partner and I separated. I moved into a friend's house for a few months, but then I bought my own house (see below). I kept paying my half of our shared mortgage until my ex- could refinance to a 30 year mortgage she could afford alone, which she did. (Our house together is in the perfect location for her life at the university and in the community.)

We're trying to remain friends, and I very much hope that happens. We shared a lot of adventures, as well as a lot of mundane stuff, and I hate losing the shared quality of those memories and times. I love her and respect her and am proud of her. Her new boyfriend seems quite nice, and though bemused, he's tolerant of my continued presence in their lives.

I'm in a V relationship with two women who have been together, non-monogamously, for many years. I hope this is a long term love, it's full of potential and fits my personality. Oh, I'm not the apex of the V! I'm also (laugh all you want!) the new social director of the local polyamorist group, which has 125+ members and about 30 active members. You Californians will think nothing of this, of course. :)

My new house has many nice features, but proximity to the main north/south drag through town is not one of them. By which I mean, I hear traffic noise day and night, which I hate. The yard is beautiful, but if I "tune in", I'm bummed by the drone.

And, it's Fall... night temps are low enough to make up for daytime highs, and that's a situation I can enjoy. It's dryer and crisper. Time to start getting out biking, paddling, hiking, camping.

The Lotus festival is next week, LEAF a month later in Asheville, and I just went to the Cincinnati Celtic Fest, which was surprisingly good, fun, and in a pleasant place. Interesting how some water, some grass, and some trees can make my experience of a big city feel much more pleasant. Of course, that's about all I want from the city anyway, is the greenspace at the edges. I don't really "get" cities.

I haven't gotten away from work much this Summer. I hope to, but it's harder to coordinate (of course, there being 50% more people to negotiate with).