incommunicado.

This poor blog has suffered from lack of attention these past few weeks, thanks to our being away on vacation and then dealing with the pain of re-entry into "real" life following said vacation.

First, the vacation: We spent a week with our great friends Doug & Sandy DeLor on St. Barts, where we did absolutely nothing. Except drink. And read, and cook and drink some more and play Euchre and Smashball (a silly pool game with oversized paddles and a rubber ball, something like ping-pong in chest-deep water). And did we mention drink?

Rob concocted a truly memorable rum punch with some mystery fruit juices (bought at the French grocery in Gustavia), pineapple syrup and Mount Gay. Doug and Sandy introduced us to the Beer Margarita, a mix of limeade concentrate, tequila and light beer. We sampled some fine French wines (we got to know especially a fruity Tokay from Alsace).

Rob's other contribution to the week involved a series of mix CDs of so-bad-it's-good music from the 1970s and 80s. Think: K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Foreigner, Michael Jackson (the early years: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough") and Van Halen. I'll ask him to consider posting his playlist. Or maybe not. You might think less of us.

The week after vacation brought delicious weather to Cincinnati, so we've sort of continued the outdoor living theme with lots of dinners on the side porch, cocktails on the deck and walks with Wrigley. Last Saturday was the day of my dreams: We planted several hundred dollars worth of annuals, perennials and shrubs in the yard, in pots and in hanging baskets. I had an email yesterday from Burpee that my veggie order shipped, so that means more planting this weekend. Next up: Figuring out a good stake/trellis system for the tomatoes.

We'll post a gratuitous vacation photo soon.