The weather in Houston has been unseasonably cool. And dry. By this time of year we are usually looking at 80s during the day, maybe even the 90s, and the humidity is starting to rise.
But not this year. I hope that this portents a cool summer.
Yesterday was a very busy weekend day by my standards. We started out early, as Blaze insisted on going outside about 5:30. That's OK, as we knew it was going to be a long day. We had our coffee, toast, and banana as we do every day, and did some chores around the house until about 10:30. At that point we went out for breakfast at Theo's, our local Greek diner. We had a funeral to attend that startedd at 1:00, and it was going to be crowded.
One of Doreen's book club members, whom she has known for 20 years, passed away while riding her bike on a country road outside of town. She was in training. for the MS 150, a bike ride that raises money for Multiple Sclerosis. She had been the director of a small private school here in Houston for about 30 years. She was only 56 years old
The funeral mass was held at All Saints Catholic Church in The Heights, where the book group originated (all the members once lived there, now I think only three do.) and was extremely well attended. I can't say quite how many people this church holds, but every seat was full and people were standing in the side and rear aisles. The homily was a very nice tribute to her service. I can't really attest to her character (I did not know her) but based on the tears it was a nice tribute to that as well.
After the service there was a reception at her house, only two blocks from the church, where friends and family gathered to remember and honor her. It was all very moving
She lived only a couple of blocks from a house that I owned and lived in back in the 1990s. Strangely enough, I know the current owner, but have not seen the inside of it since he moved in and made some renovations.
So we walked over and rang his metaphorical door bell. (Of course we called his cell phone. This is 2013, after all. Does anyone have doorbells anymore?) He was gracious and let us in to see the changes he made. He added onto the kitchen and lighted up the place. It looked very nice, and he said as long as he stays in Houston he will stay in that house. I can see why. He also added onto the garage apartment, making it much nicer, and bigger that it was before.
We left and made it home for a quick nap.
Then we had to march over to a friend's birthday party just south of Rice University. This was a lot of fun, and we knew many of the people who were there. It is always good to catch up with friends. The food was outstanding, and the drinks flowed freely.
We got home about 10:30 and I was doing last rounds with Blaze. I started called her to come in when I heard our next-door neighbors calling her as well. Iaughed and called out (over the 10' tall solid wooded fence) "John, you are a bad neighbor!" He laughed and asked us over for a final glass of wine.
Doreen had already gone upstairs, so I had to get to her before she got undressed. (Or course, there being neighbors we have had drinks with them in our lounge wear in the past) I managed to get to her with only her shoes off, so we ambled over.
They had a big fire going in their outside pit fireplace (remember the weather) and we enjoyed a final bottle of wine with the two of them.
A nice end to a busy, sad, happy day.
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