trip to Atlanta

Got back in from Atlanta a few hours ago. A great visit with my folks - we talk A LOT and bond over books and Blackadder. At one point I felt like a total alien with any and all members of my family, but with time and distance I find we have a great deal in common, or maybe I'm the one who's changing to come more in line with them. No... thats not entirely it; everyone (especially my Dad - it is staggering how much he has MELLOWED) has changed somewhat. I always thought my parents were unbearably June-and-Ward, 50's sitcom nightmare bland parents when I was young, but I guess they were sanitizing themselves for my safety; they make so much more sense now. Even D. comments how great it is that everyone in the family seems to agree on a lot of core issues (the sham of American politics and organized religion and the virtues of sugar-free cornbread). I do worry about them though.... despite great efforts they all have certain health problems that make me worry, warranted or not.

I also got to visit with my nephew kitties and my parents new kittens. J.'s were these enormous Maine Coons, very sweet, with heads the size of a large grapefruit and tails so plush that they were practically round. The kittens are darlings too, but my Dad lets them get away with everything (they are grand-cats, so of course they are not disciplined in any way). I love cats, but these were just not as fabulous as my Ladies.

Off to purge all of the leftover cigarette-smoke from my clothes and myself.