you know about my theory that everyone was born in august - even if they think they weren't. it's a mystical kind of thing. but i was clearly thinking of it when i pulled out the old birthday photo for this month's decor. that's me up top on some ancient august day, surrounded by folks who loved me and/or wanted a big hunk of cake. don't skimp on the ice cream. my turn to stand before the fire.

today is Pat's 45th. he's my brother. i tried to call him just now - i did - really - but he must be out whooping it up. though what's to celebrate at 45 is a little beyond me. of course, i didn't get a card off to him - didn't even send one of these tacky e-cards, but i thought about Pat a few times today and smiled and wished him well each time. he's the kind of brother you'd like to live down the street from or maybe even in the same apartment building - though not the same apartment, not the same house. he's set in his ways, as they say. and i'm probably even more set (as concrete sets, no doubt). but Pat's the kind of brother you'd want to be able to go over and bother for a while. tell stories. drink a little beer. discuss friends and family. jump up and dance a little when the zydeco comes on. talk some shakespeare and lit. theory. drink a little more beer. and if the night gets long we could just crash there or not - depending ...no big deal. Pat's pretty cool, so i wish he wasn't always so far off in the wilds of new york state. he'll be coming in for a bit next week - and we take what we can get. but i can imagine a better world.