Birthday, part two

I spent a big chunk of the afternoon planting and cleaning up the front yard while Linc happily splooshed in his pool (this is the first pool in my memory that has survived to be used a second season). Flowers, veggies and herbs are all in pots (I know, they'd be better in the ground, but the weed/grass cover is pretty thick, the ground is hard, and it was pushing 90; plus, this way, when we move, I can give them away to people to keep enjoying through the end of the season).

Talked with my sister, Julia, and my dad; all had good news. The best was that my mom is off 24-hour dialysis, and while she's not yet showing any significant kidney improvement, it's not getting worse. They'll be taking her out of ICU soon. Also, she's waking up a bit, and talking with my dad.

Sat on the porch in the summery air, messing with my nails, reading "Portable Childhood" (a collection of short stories by Ellen Klages), enjoying a nommy sandwich Clay made for me with a virgin Mojito from Bill, researching for a story of my own, and keeping an eye on Linker. Then we headed off for the cinema.

Two thumbs up for the "Star Trek" movie. ( Brief review behind the cut due to slight spoilers... )

The Cinema Suites experience was awesome. We spent an additional $10 each on food and a beer, so the total for the whole date was $65 (which is about what you'd pay for dinner and a movie anyway). Not something to do every month, but certainly for a special treat, it was terrific. My salad with chicken strips was satisfying if not exceptional, and the 20-oz. Blue Moon had to be finished by Bill (or else I wouldn't have made it through the movie). The recliner seats were easy to melt into and relax. The service was great, the food not bad at all.

Came home to the horrible news of George Tiller's assassination, and wrote about it a bit here.

Bill finished the raspberry coulis for the torte, and we had a slice. It was velvety and dark and rich, and the bright, tart berries and soft, sweet whipped cream were the perfect foil for the bitter chocolate. Mmmm, and there's more for today!

Then to bed with the new box fan, ahhhhh...

This morning, I woke with a teeny headache to remind me of my indulgences (which is already fading)... and a wonderful memory of a fabulous day. Thank you all for your kind birthday wishes! I'm a lucky gal indeed, to have such friends to witness and share my ups and downs with. This last year has been pretty downish... I'm looking forward to sharing a year filled with UP now!

Further thoughts on the Tiller murder

A woman on a message board I hang out on posted the following:

"The pro-life side is also praying for (Dr. Tiller). Of course, we also pray for those whose lives he tragically affected."

My response:

(Poster's name), what exactly do you think Dr. Tiller did, wander around in a preschool picking off kids with a six-shooter?

Rest assured that if there were ways to prevent ending a pregnancy of a viable and healthy fetus, he pursued them with the parents. The lives he ended were lives that were already doomed, or endangering their mothers, or some other horrific situation that I'm certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that you and I have neither experience with nor any place to second-guess the decision of those involved.

Who are you -- who is anybody -- to say that ending a pregnancy early is more tragic than the alternative? You and your fellow petitioners have got to understand one thing: the lives involved were ALREADY tragically affected. All Dr. Tiller did was help people mitigate that tragedy in some way.

Yes, keep praying. Keep praying for those poor little lost babies, and while you're at it, maybe pray for those mothers who have had to make the choice between the unthinkable and the impossible... and make sure you add a prayer that you never become one of them, because their path has just become a LOT harder to walk.