Tom arrived home around noon yesterday, tired but happy from (yet another) extended trip.  He's had a great 4+ months (3 different road trips, with brief times at home in between), visiting lots of friends and places (and avoiding MUCH of our heat!)  

Alex joined us for a grilled steak dinner (perfect timing - he got home from work just as I was putting dinner on the table) where we celebrated his birthday  a couple of days early; he's also leaving later today for the weekend.  That means Tom will have a lot of peace and quiet to settle in and get organized.

I hope to be able to post while I'm gone, 

but as usual when away from my computer I won't be able to post pictures.