San-Furan-Cisco Adler

Dudes! It’s truly unfortunate that you’re not here to keep me occupied when naps seem tempting, as waking up from one a few minutes ago was exceedingly unpleasant. But some stars and chocolate milk should do the trick to revive me from a state of sleep-inflicted drowsiness. You’re in the incredible San Francisco at this very moment! Can you taste the ocean air? Are you recovered from car sickness? Are you enjoying the Califonia sun? Have you listened to loads of Beach Boys songs? Are there sandy beaches? Have you traversed THE bridge yet? How many times has Dad been hit on? How do you manage to write the most entertaining postcards ever? Are sunsets etcetera on the coast even more stunning? Are you sad to be leaving in a short while? What are the new fave spots that you frequent? Any great corner stores/cafés/vantage points that you’ve familiarized yourselves with? I’m sure that no matter what, it’ all faaabulous. Additionally, I hope that you’re making use of lingo such as faaabulous a great deal in your city of residence at the moment. Dad, savour the chance to wear your shoes without ridicule for the next while! Soon you’ll be back in the land of enforced close-mindedness, and, dare I say it, H-phobia. Really though, I’ve become attached to the blue shoes, and have determined that they could fit my feet quite splendidly. Avoid tanning, of course, and continue to enjoy the trip and the lack of Harper-ness that exists there; I’m assuming, of course, that repressing the fact of George Bush’s close presence has proven to be your best course of action. However, perhaps he would mainly bother me were I in the States at the current moment.

Guys, I miss you a lot. Especially when serotonin kicks in late at night, or during walks with God to 5:30 shifts at work, I really wish you were here. Everything is simply more effortless when you’re around, even though the house is not nearly as chaotic and bustling as it typically is since you evaporated into thin American air, and I am provided with delightful reminders of you through your ever-happifying postcards. I’m not certain that I can quite summarize what has transpired since you were away, but I’ll test my limits of succinctness and stick to the bare minimum of what’s happened “Since You Been Gone,” including the fact that I’ve actually been transformed into Kelly Clarkson. Big-ish news would comprise of the recent birth of Micah Nathan Harris (who has Nathan’s red hair, I am told, and came in at a lovely 7lbs 9oz), Alice’s 81st birthday (which was celebrated with a frozen cake that Ruth made for Alice’s 80th birthday; yes, it said “Happy 80th Birthday”), the Eskimos inconsistent dominance in the best sport ever, Karen’s constant fiddling around on the lawn outside, the Flenders' triumphant return/visit, and my conversion to gangstahood. You’re honourary members of my gang, the Shinies. The kitchen was invaded by ants in the space of an eight hour shift at work today somehow; there were hundreds, but with some advice from Grandpa and assistance from the lurvely Anne, it’s all under control. It’s quite sadistically pleasing to watch them squirm around prior to their deaths. If only Jess were here to refer to them all as Ernie with me. Bethany and I met some muskrat/beavers last week named Sally, who was actually an old man beaver, and Fred, who was his/her lover of several years. It wasn’t quite the same as Ernie the ant, but very few things in life are, even muskrat/beavers. Just as an FYI, the floor was insanely clean, as I’d swept obsessively the night prior, so this migration into our house from under the baseboard under the 1920s window in the entryway was a freak fluke evidently.

There truly are a billion more things I’d like to discuss, but it’s insanely late, and I’ve got an insane list of things I need to do before heading off to bed, so I’ll bid you adieu. Saturday marks the initiation of my one week countdown, and after that I’ll be excited every day for your return. But continue to have a blast on vos vacances ma famille! And I eagerly await Dad’s thousands of pictures; they’re sure to be very Ansel, or perhaps very Uncle Everett, depending on how often he wears his glasses. Inexplicable photos are, after all, the most entertaining of all, and if people are going to be subjected to a slideshow, it’s for the best if it’s at least mildly amusing. Really though, I’m sure you’re surrounded by very un-Albertan beauty at the moment, and are appreciating it a great deal. I’m thinking of you and praying for you every day, and certainly missing you at a level of about 10 out of 10! But don’t worry at all; I’ve had ridiculous amounts of fun too in your absence, just not tons of wholesome family silliness, chatter, and activity. Although there was an ant scare earlier today, the house is still grafitti-free, I baked without setting the house alight, and seemingly every member of our extended family has checked up on me in a very loving manner. How will I ever grow up with all of this agreeable coddling? Speak to you soon! Love you than I love the Nick Drake CD I’m listening to right now that reminds me of you three! Toodles familia!

Lo-o-o-ove,
Cait

P.S. The Eskies very narrowly lost tonight; the Bombers pulled through with 4 seconds left in a miracle play. I almost lost my sanity (even moreso)!

P.P.S. I’m writing this at 2:00 in the morning after a really long day. It’s quite enjoyable, but I’m not really sure at all how much sense it makes. I should have sent a late night writing decoder along with you; it would be quite useful for blogs such as these!

P.P.P.S. Nearly everyone you’ve ever met who I stumble across asks how you’re doing, and says to say hi. So, from everyone who you hold dear to you back in this city, here’s a collective howdy! They’re all jealous, and wishing you well! When you’re back here, tell them that I told you that I said they said hi. And that I write coherently some of the time, just not a lot of the time when I type.

Fun Things from Last Weekend

• Bethany of Gesthemane and me organizing ornate collections of pinecones
• falling backwards off of playground equipment
• hanging out with Tim’s golf clubs for long periods of time
• enjoying a cat (really, it was quite pleasant, and I named it Charlton Heston; it came into Evergreen for a moment, and found me quite irresistible it would seem)
• working a crazy busy day on Saturday
• eating Grandma’s raspberries
• witnessing the magical arrival of a diamond ring and fancy-dancy watch into a can of corn
• eating my first elephant ear of the festival season topped with tons of brown and icing sugar, of course
• pouring a pitcher of water on Rob, only out of a sense of justice
• taking in some lovely Alberta city-stars
• getting beaten by Ed in a “friendly” game of bocce
• holding down table-cloths with Grandma in near-tornadoes
• spreading mousse all through my hair, wearing it out of doors, and having to rinse it out with the hose on the jet setting
• observing two men prance around like Buddhist dancers (I’m sure there is such a thing) in Superman undies

Things I Miss Most

• how the kitchen smells like toast and coffee in the morning
• the sounds of Jess and Mom playing piano
• your inquisitive and curious natures
• Dad tapping strange rhythms on my ceiling and on the table
• Computer assistance à la Jess/Dad
• your cooking and the odour of your cooking
• taking pictures of Jess
• watching movies and gross TV with you in the family room
• discussing interesting, fun, and challenging topics
• eating meals at a table with you
• laughing during prayer
• teasing Dad incessantly about random things (and his reactions)
• your answering of telephones
• how you always notice innate details in life and point them out to me
• advice on how to make cocoa and how long to microwave leftovers
• a google-google other things!