Indoor Plumbing

It's true that Michelle isn't that wild about the out-of-doors, but she occasionally will fly somewhere so we can travel together. We rent a car and leave Phoebe at the airport long-term parking.

We've enjoyed the magnificence of the Redwoods, the clifftop view at Cape Flattery, Washington and delighted in the eclectic variety of the Cotati Accordion Festival in Cotati, California. But the MAIN reason for the different mode is her preference for indoor plumbing.

Even the best relationships, as we all know, involve some compromise. As two strong-willed Americans, she English-American and I German-American, we're fortunate that this is one of the few MAJOR ones we've had to negotiate.

And, I admit, I'm glad there aren't too many days like this.