Life on the Runn...

The past several summers have involved heading to the Front Range or crossing the Atlantic for international exploration, which meant that trips to the cabin were quickly becoming distant memories. This summer, we were able to return to the Northwoods and our time in Lac du Flambeau did not disappoint -- if you overlook the swarms of mosquitoes, which I'm sure totaled in the low to mid billions!   We spent time reading, swimming, fishing, visiting family, playing Farkle (and winning, I'll add), and eating more treats than any respectable person would admit to consuming.     Brian headed to San Francisco after a handful of days lakeside; I stayed behind in the land of the loons (thankfully without the threat of an attack - been there, and loon assaults are terrifying AND real).  Mom and Dad R., Becky, and I continued to take full advantage of the sunshine, which was abundant save for the daily rain showers - you know, to water-log the lawn and preserve the mosquito

Together, we took another lap around the sun, and this year, we did good work.   Belgian beers, fry cones and the endless canals of Amsterdam; gale-force winds, black sand beaches, and the biggest and bluest Icelandic icebergs imaginable; pain au chocolat, hundreds of miles of hiking, and waking up in the shadows of (or on top of ) Mont Blanc: we settled for nothing less than living life to the fullest this past year, and our biggest and best adventures are still on the horizon.  Our life together is awesome 100 times over.  I know I am a better, stronger person for having found the life partner I did. He may have a penchant for waking up before the sun, you know, to beat the tourists, and he may prefer hiking trails and mountain peaks to poolside drinks or beaches, but can you blame the guy?! There's nothing I'd rather do than chase him up a trail (though I have to put on a sour face, at least at the 2am wakeup call, for good measure) and fight for the last of th