Catventure

Me and my neurotic, jumpy, stubborn 12-year-old cat had to move out of my home for almost 8 days while hardwood floors were installed. Where'd we go? My parents' house! When we arrived my mom requested that the cat not spend any time in their living room, and especially not on their living room couches. I wasn't sure how to explain that I couldn't control my cat when I wasn't there - and I wasn't there a lot. One afternoon when I was at work, I got the following photo from my mom:

There she is...Ms. Percy...looking so comfy on the forbidden couch. Allegedly she hissed at my dad when he tried to move her. Ooops. I didn't say she had manners. Eight days later, she howled all the way home and looked and acted very confused when she stepped into my place. I am starting to get used the click click of her nails on the hard wood. And I am definitely getting used to the hard wood.

Under Wood

My house is in shambles due to the fact that I am installing hardwood floors. When I say "I am installing" that means I hired someone to install. It is so upsetting when one's space is in total upheaval, but I am very excited for the results. The carpet, the cat, the allergies... the wood has been a long time coming.

home in disarray

Underwood

I had a great time with my sister, nephew and his friend last week at Underwood Farms. They frequent this family-owned farm where regular citizens can come pick from their harvest, and I sometimes go with them. I love that my nephew knows where to go for various veggies. He runs into the fields and gleefully picks tomatoes, zuchinni, fennel, you name it. 

Jennifer and I took turns lugging the kids in the cart.

Selfie of the nephew and I.

Friendly horses.

Such delicious bounty!

Huxley on Huxley

A gem of a documentary. Highly recommend.

Melissa in Wonderland

I have been enjoying spending writing time at the Writers Guild library. I am trying to finish a novel, but also doing some research for a potential new project. In preparation, I've been reading some scripts, including the 1933 version of Alice in Wonderland, penned by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. It is such a thrill paging through this original script, old and yellowed, full of humor and heart, with illustrations to boot. You definitely don't see scripts like these anymore. 

And check out the cast list...W.C. Fields as Humpty-Dumpty, Gary Cooper as the White Rabbit, Cary Grant as the Mock Turtle...

Pretty special!

Two Countries, One Summer

So far this summer I've hit two countries, and it's not even August. I just returned from Montreal where I was on a family trip celebrating my dad's 80th birthday. Both parents are from Montreal, so I've spent my life going to and fro, visiting aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, friends and other Canadian brethren. Nostalgia kicks in every time I land at the airport, remembering my Bubby and Zaidey excitedly picking us up, remembering the time we lived there for 8 months, remembering all the family events, weddings, parties, funerals and the like. 

This trip found us renting a house in Westmount, visiting a beloved lake house in the gorgeous Lorentien mountains, visiting with Bubby's 103-year-old sister, my great aunt Minchu, celebrating my dad with a host of other friends and relatives, eating, eating, eating. The trip was nothing if not intense - from the weather to the planning and executing of of various activities en masse. Ah, Montreal, je me souviens...

The country house, Cook Lake

getting ready to go swimming with the nephews

city house (red one)

Minchu is 103!

Mom and Minchu

Phenomenal meal in Montreal - toasted corn in the middle

Chihuly exhibit at the museum

Dad's cake at Moishe's!

Nephews lovin' the cake, too.