ION, last night I dreamed that we had our next F2F in Austin, Texas, and stumbled on a funky ramshackle but delicious restaurant that was going out of business, and pooled our money to buy it out and use it as an ongoing Buffista fund-raising concern. The more nomadic Buffistas worked out a schedule of 3 or 4 of them living in Austin, in a crazy sort of treehousey thing behind the restaurant, for a couple months at a time running things, then wandering off and passing the management on to the next band of nomadic Buffistas.

I WOULD SO DO THIS. Can we make it a honky-tonk? I have the hat for it!!!!

Much ~ma, SJ!

Work~ma and family~ma to those what need 'em.

Wee Carolina wrens have hatched in my fuschia. I'm exceedingly happy about this. Maybe a little too happy—I probably need a real pet. Still, it's fun to see the parents dashing in and out with beaks full of bugs. Mmmmmm, mushed moth bits!

I have the hat for it!!!!

Damn! Put you and Jesse together and your combined Sassy Cowgirl powers could bring the universe to its knees!

Tangentially, I want to live in a treehouse so bad it hurts. Hec and I went to Paxton Gate on Sunday and I saw a big book of actually-lived-in-by-grownups treehouses, and I had to put it down and walk away because the longing was killing me ded.

Very cool, Calli!

Living in a treehouse and running a Buffista restaurant for a while sounds very attractive right now.

Living in a treehouse and running a Buffista restaurant for a while sounds very attractive right now.

Doesn't it, though?

I want to live in a treehouse so bad it hurts. Hec and I went to Paxton Gate on Sunday and I saw a big book of actually-lived-in-by-grownups treehouses, and I had to put it down and walk away because the longing was killing me ded.

I can totally see you living in a treehouse in 5 years or so, as long as you had power and DSL.

Ooo!! I love Carolina Wrens! I was so hoping the one that lived in our holly back in VA would nest there. Seethingly jealous.

Hmm...since I have no drill currently, I guess I'll see about scheduling a pedicure. My feet are the nast, even worse than when I was doing martial arts three times a week.

KICKIN' hat, juliana! You are HAWT.

JZ, if you're ever near Durham you might like to visit my apartment. It's not quite a treehouse, but the back deck is surrounded by maples so that, when you're sitting down, it feels just like you're sitting in a platform on a tree. And, also, occasionally, a Carolina wren wildlife show. I'm glad others find them as cute as I do.

It also means I'll never be able to grow herbs back there, but that's a small price to pay for seeing nothing but green in the heat of the summer.

I keep expecting to be fired for my apparent incompetence, but they can't because A) they need someone to write these reports NOW

Don't forget the cover sheets.

and B) as far as I know, I still don't actually work here.

Also, do you have red Swingline stapler I could borrow?

t /Office Space

Can I stay home and watch Buffy rereuns all day? I had plans, but somehow watchign buffy is way better. My mom just emailed and hShe is have an B and C day ( book and Chcolate) of course she has a friend that calls it a B and B day ( bed and book) . Of course this is happening because the tropical storm has hit south carolina. happily, it is just a ncie soaking rain

calm thoughts your way P-C.

and ditto what JZ said to Beej. I am glad you came back.

Just watched this years girl and now it is time for who are you

JZ, thank you so much. You just made my entire day, if not this whole week. Bless your kind heart. I'm glad to be here...always.

That first bit was hairy, but I learned a lot about my own behavior that ended up being useful in a number of ways. And the community?...a never ceasing source of humor, wisdom and links I'd never find myself.

The grace of this place, which is vast, is enriched in no small part by your place in it.