Jude the Obscure and Allison

April and May are two key reasons that Texans love Texas.  Bluebonnets (yes, Brooke, the random little blue flowers) and wildflowers and wisteria spring forth with new life and belie the fact that, come August, we'll be cussing the sun and ready for a good arctic wind to blast us back to 90 degrees.

My first English roses bloomed today.  Jude the Obscure sprung forth with promises of splendor for the season.  Ah, and alas, the Dillo dirt is settling into the ground.  Fortuitous and late by a day, since Allison's shower was at the house yesterday.  Never have I tried so hard to appear effortless.  And I guess the good thing that comes with age is that we do, indeed, get better at roses, parties, and life.  The shower was scheduled to begin at 1:30, and at 1:17, the last food was in the serving dishes, the last flower arrangement had been placed, and the final candle was lit.  I had not barked at anyone nor was unsettled in the least.  By 1:45, the house was filled with beautiful women ranging in age from 6 to 84, all of whom have nothing but love and wish nothing but the best for Allison.  I believe she felt that, and I am privileged to have been a part of it.