Well.

We just had the most lovely night. I came home from a bike ride to a clean house thanks to Timothy, and thawed out some fresh caught salmon. SALMON. SALMON!

Salmon.



SALMON.

Our Houseguest, Al, took Timothy on a chartered fishing trip last moth, and they brought home a bounty of trout and SALMON. Tim and Al took care of the fish prep, and I made a tomato basil pasta, cucumber vinegar/sugar salad, and lemon bars. BARS. WOOT.

A friend of mine from Fargo joined us, along with his boyfriend, and then entire evening was incredibly lovely. And, oh man. Perhaps I should back up a bit.

Last year at this time, our Houseguest Al and his wife, Annika, came to visit. Tim and I were new to Chicago, new to the transit system, new to the city in every way possible. We knew two people, and didn't know any of our neighbors. I was still feeling extremely nervous about my job and fitting in with my colleagues, and our apartment was empty. We ate at the same three restaurants and took the same roads, shopped at the same stores. We had information overload, and had no idea how to figure out how to figure out where to go and what to do.

A year later, Houseguest Al is back, and we are in such a different spot. We know all our neighbors---we have cat sat for a majority of them. We're going to a wedding for a couple we barely knew when we moved here, and now feel very close to (they are our Kentucky doppelgangers). I got an invitation to join a book club. I ride my bike instead of taking the trains. Our apartment is full of stuff. I enjoy my colleagues, and am extra special musican spousy/cat owner/Logan Square friends with my cubicle mate. I am volunteering for an arts organization! And we've learned to understand the difference between a superficial conversation (we have nothing in common but we're within two feet of each other!) and an enjoyable conversation (hi, we are nice! we like books and are not rude. we are worth your time!). We are looking for a house to move into. I'm training for a sprint triathlon. I read Gapersblock.com.

Tonight, we invited a friend from Fargo over to our house for dinner. It was great to sit and learn about what other people have been doing since leaving Fargo, but also so very comforting to reminisce about the city that we love. It was also great to talk to people that love food (hot dogs and beef) as much as us (Tim), and that are new to Chicago and also searching for friends, interests, and entertainment with their partner (lover).

Also, big step---I'm really trying to get over my North Dakota hostess bad manners. No, I don't need help! Just sit and stare while I sweat and preen over this hot stove! Toiling is my pleasure. Tonight I let my guests dry all the dishes and then Houseguest Al directed them to their proper home. I'm growing.

Mimi was really cute. She's getting her stitches out on Saturday. AND, I tried to play this mouth harp we got as a gift for watching a cat but it feels like I just bit on a fork really hard and plucked the tines repeatedly.