Like the vapor of a dream, the remnants of the past week linger around the edges of my tired brain in a pink and gold blur of constant sun, scented flowers and architecture worthy of a Babylonian temple or a Hollywood backlot. Bit of a contrast to the quaint and quiet I’ve been enjoying up here in the woods, I’d say. I’ve been visiting my family in sunny Southern California. I have a terrible jet-lag hangover and we didn’t get in until 3:30 this morning. I’ll probably keep this short, since I will shortly fall asleep.

Highlights before I forget them: napping in the sun-warm sand at Malibu Beach; delightful hours at the Getty Villa Museum and best of all, getting to sit with my Dad during an awesome performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. A very special experience for us both, I believe. I’m fairly sure it was real.