Only a wooden snake at the Rattlesnake Bar

Julia & I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Dallas. Our day with the financial guy was intense, as usual, but we had three very good dinners and some pretty good wine. We also made a few visits to the Rattlesnake Bar in the hotel. The hotel gets a terrific review from us, the Ritz uptown. The mirror in our bathroom had a TV embedded in it. The club concierge got whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted it: coffee, food of all kinds, drinks. We even had extra feather pillows. Took a cab ride to Ft. Worth and saw an excellent collection of impressionists at the Kimbell museum. We rode past the new Cowboys stadium, which is, of course, Texas size.

We upgraded to first class on the way down. Julia objected but it was mild protest. So we enjoyed a pretty good flight down. The first leg of return was upgraded, but not the flight from Charlotte to Big B. That one was delayed by about an hour, but was again, not too bad. We went to vote, had a bite at Tantalus, came home. Julia's candidate, Alice Krysan, beat her opponents like rented mules. So the whole trip and return was just great, as traveling together always seems to be.

This weekend is relaxed. Mike & the girls are out because Lisa is seeing some shows in NYC. Mary is home. Lou & I finally got the brush hog on the little tractor, then it began to rain. So into the kitchen to prepare the things we got at the farmers market this morning, and meatloaf, and a little Veuve.

Julia is going to visit Dawn in NC this weekend, and Mohamed & I go to Dallas. We will be meeting the financial guys for a seminar. This is going to be very different without my love, but I'm sure the reunion will be memorable.

My best to you all. I hope you enjoy the weekend.

On the road again

Julia & I are finishing the last minute packing for our trip to Dallas, which we should be leaving for the airport for about now. The hurricane worried us a little, but was, as usual, somewhat overstated by the weatherman, Mr. C. Little. We have terrific dinner reservations in the big D, which as a Buffalo sports fan, probably stands for Dopey.

Our visit to Toronto was "great success". Jersey Boys was excellent. I must say that I had some serious reservations about that show, because I never really liked the Four Seasons music too much, but I thought the show was great. Even has Joe Pesci. Both Canoe and North44 were outstanding. I love these trips with Julia. She is a terrific traveling companion, among many other sterling qualities.

We took Grandma to Dan's award dinner on Thursday. Brian Higgins presented the award to Dan from the EA Chamber of Commerce. Brian was also the speaker, and he was very good. Dan was predictably out of control, making the hall howl. Jim & Don Bach were rather high profile, also. We met Jim's father in law, Sean, who has a pub south of Galway. I hope to visit him when we take our trip.

I hope you all have a great weekend. We will get together on our return.