The past month, since we returned from our delightful trip to Provence, was one of the more intense we've had in quite a few years. Kids in camp, work super busy for both of us, the weather hot and humid, and then Oliver developed a serious staph infection on his arm -- bully impetigo, he called it, making the pediatricians smile (the medical term is bullous impetigo) -- with a viral infection and high fevers at the same time.

But Oliver is healthy again. A new month has begun, and another short, family-and-friends vacation is imminent.

And I caught the first glimpses of goldenrod along the country roads this week, and I stopped into the florist to get a bundle of sunflowers for my lover.

It's Friday, I'm in love with life.