We're back...

... from a nice long weekend in Michigan with the in-laws (and Jamie).  As always, a restful trip.  For those of you who dread spending time with the in-laws, I have to say that I love mine.  Very cool, super laid back, and really nice.  It's a great thing to genuinely like your wife's parents.  At the very least, it's infinitely preferable to not getting along with them.  That would make holidays all sorts of uncomfortable.

And what can you say about Jamie (especially since I know she reads this blog)?   

Highlights (and two lowlights) from the trip:

- Wings and beer at BW3 with Brandy and Jamie while watching Michigan beat Wisconsin.

- Dinner (and lunch... and breakfast) at Coral Gables restaurant in East Lansing.

- Playing with the cats and not suffering too much of an allergic reaction to all the fur.

- Good: hanging out with Jen and Steph.  Bad: hanging out with them while watching MSU implode against Notre Dame.

- Food poisoning.  Not good.  Very not good.

- Visiting with Brandy's Grandma Ruth.  Cute as a button and sharp as a tack.

- Seeing Autumn and the boys, meeting Michael and Chris, and visiting with them after the boys had tired themselves out at the fair.  

- Getting my first pair of Crocs™.

- Apples.  Fresh, Michigan apples.

- The beginning of autumn in the Midwest.  The only season I truly miss.

As you might notice below, Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs have released an album together.  It's all covers, mostly from the Sixties.  I was dying to hear their takes on "The Warmth of the Sun" (The Beach Boys), "The Kids Are Alright" (The Who) and "And Your Bird Can Sing" (The Beatles), which might be remembered by those of you who witnessed early "performances" by Atticus Scout.  Ahh... the good old days.