Well, damn it. Our friend who was in the hospital died this afternoon. She was only 53. She had a lot of health problems, including pulmonary hypertension, and the stroke she had a month ago was too much for her.

I don't get this fucking summer. There have been a lot of really great things that have happened, but Jesus H. Christ, there have been an equal number (or more) of lousy fucking goddamn shitty things. Do not want.

Crapweasels, this is a lot of grief.

We live near the big fancy old cemetery (it's 730 acres, and 450 acres are landscaping/arboretum; they have over 26 miles of road, and have 5K races almost every weekend in the summer, and a bunch of other community events). In a few weeks, they're doing their annual lantern-lighting ceremony where you can personalize a paper lantern and send it out onto the lake. And I have way too many lanterns to send out. I might just have to list everyone on one lantern.

Actually, Connie, the imagery of the lighted lanterns on the water reminds me of your husband -- I know it's not exactly a Viking funeral, but if you'd like me to send out a lantern for him (or put his name on my multi-name lantern), I'd be honored to do so.

I would be honored, Teppy.

edit: You can just put Neil. No one who knew him called him by his first name--or no one who hadn't known him since birth.

You got it. I'll take a picture for you, too.

Steph, I'm so sorry. It's been a smorgasboard of grief this summer. The lantern tradition sounds lovely.

I didn't have to work today, which was great. Was pretty productive this morning but then bonked hard and napped for three hours. So much for dropping off donations and going to the library. I guess I needed it, though; I was in a bunch of pain and nearly fell asleep while talking to my mom on the phone.

(I also talked to my dad, who's visiting my 98 yo grandmother, and she pretty much sleeps All The Time. So that's on the horizon. A good long life, but losing my last grandparent and the one I was closest to may be a little rough. I'm selfishly hoping she hangs on a few months longer.)

I am so sorry Steph. I do love the idea of the paper lanterns on the water.

Teppy, I'm so sorry for your loss. The paper lanterns sound really lovely.

After we finally finished at the church, the wedding last night was quite nice. It was in an old mansion right on the water and the food was some of the best wedding food I have ever a had. The appetizers were so good and so plentiful, that we were almost too full for dinner, which was also delicious. We were sitting with some cousins that I never get to talk to and it was nice to catch up with them. Today we are all being lazy. Luckily, Mom made a ton of food on Friday so there are leftovers to enjoy.

My niece has started high school. My sister got her an iPod touch. And my niece has discovered the joys of texting. Forgetting the time difference between FL and CA. this could be interesting. On the plus side, it's more conversation than I've had with her in a long time.