David, I'm so sorry. That is just heartbreaking beyond measure. It's a lovely gift, the photo.

It was a beautiful ceremony in a famously beautiful setting. (Bernard Maybeck's Church of Christ Scientist in Berkeley: [link]

There was music and some religious readings but mostly remembrances from Kye's parents and two brothers. His two brothers were so...wrecked. Their stories about Kye, their little brother, were so loving and specific and true, but their loss was so bone deep. They are working through it in a positive and affirming way, but the loss is so tragic and deep.

So we saw a bunch of Emmett's baseball past. Other parents I spent many months of daily contact with coaching. Other parents I traveled with to tournaments for years. And then the provisional basis of these relationships is over and you don't see them for 14 years. But you know them and they know you, and they watched your kids grow up, and they all knew Matilda as a toddler and wanted to see pictures of her as a teenager.

They were so happy to see Emmett. To hug him, to exclaim at his bigness, his evident manhood.

It was so strange and good and sad.

Funerals are usually like that, in my experience, but especially in terrible circumstances like that.

I just put a deposit down on a tattoo that is way more expensive than I expected, but I think I'm going to do it anyway! (Note I have not priced tattoos in 20+ years.) Some flowers on my arm.

Ooh, more details on the prospective tattoo, please! I am pretty sure I am in favor of spending more on that. Art is always a good investment, right? Maybe not financially, but just in a general making the world a little better sense

So I have a cross on my upper arm, and I'm going to get some assorted flowers around it. Pretty! I've always thought it was too small but didn't have a good idea of what to add until now.

That’s exciting Jesse! And if it’s for someone you know is a good artist it’s probably worth it.

I woke up early, fell back asleep, made breakfast, and am sitting around. Lovely day.

Nice!

ETA: that is to both Jesse and meara

Timelies all!

Despite the heat we went to the Gaithersburg Book Festival. Mostly we tried to keep Mr. S out of trouble, though we did get to hear part of an interview with John Scalzi. Worn out now.

Ended up going to a friends place—I wasn’t invited originally but another friend I texted about hanging out invited me (the hosts aren’t as close with me) but had a great time in our best weather of the year watching the dogs run around their yard and holding a baby and chilling. Yay!!

Happy birthday to Java Cat! I hope you are having a wonderful day and that the year to come is filled with joy and laughter.

Hec, that is absolutely heartbreaking. I’m so sorry for the family.