Ummmm.... So, Yeah. 

I've been bouncing around the nation's airports like a crazed superball, pausing in New England this past weekend to attend my high school reunion.  I may or may not have coherent thoughts about that at some point (oh, let's be honest - probably not - and most people probably wouldn't care to hear them anyway.)

I did come up with a neater way to describe my relationship to my friends' kidlets - I was at a pool party, talking to an old acquaintance who asked if any of the children splashing about were mine.  "No," I said, "When they get to know me, I do tend to do the responsible adult thing and watch them, help them with their shoes, give them hugs - things like that - but they're not mine.  It's catch-and-release with me."

On the home front, our status as landlords/slumlords has changed yet again - one of these cute little guys (or a close relative thereof)...

...has yet again nested in the canoe.  Grf.  However, another birdlet has gotten smarter...

...and nested in the actual birdhouse.

John tells me that there are Carolina Wrens in the canoe and Common Wrens in the birdhouse.  First of all, I do believe this bird is giving me a look that says, "Who are you calling common, missy?"  Secondly, I can report that wrens have no concept of the doctrine of "moving to the nuisance," as they are absolutely incensed that we noisy, galumphing humans have the nerve to continue to live here, let alone go up and down the stairs to get to the grill, or water the plants that are mere feet from their twiggy estate.  

Sorry, bird - DC property prices being what they are, count yourself lucky that you have a home.