So I got invited to something of a whirlwind weekend with my relatives back in Dallas, specifically, my cousin's son's third birthday, followed the next day by his baby sister's baptism.

I have to admit it was unlike any third birthday party I ever thought I would see. I guess there were really only two "big" items, a junior-sized bouncy castle (way too small for me to even think of invading, alas), and a one-hour rental of a travelling petting zoo, featuring, yes, a small pony for the little ones to be led around on.

It kind of got me contrasting my experience with that which my fur-family is having out in Yakima.

People talk about there being two worlds, but the world is a lot broader than that really. There's a million worlds out there. Some unquestionably better than others. But oh so much is relative. There's much bigger houses than my cousin's just across the street. And as sorry as Lucca's mom's state of affairs is, I know there are many places in the world where everyone is worse off than that.

But enough of the philosophical stuff.

It was an enjoyable trip enough if way too brief. I only barely got to update people on my new life here in Alabama and the people I've met and live with, and I certainly didn't get anywhere near to talking about the challenges I've had to face as a result. Maybe all that's for the best anyway. Why force things together that seem to want to remain separated?

So life goes on, and somehow I've fallen behind on FA again. Some things never change.