So much to catch up on. My super-busy week turned into a super-busy month. I've put many miles on my car and many blisters on my feet. I have a few photos to share, none of my feet---I'm sure you're relieved to hear.

Let's start with the end of May: I asked friends to think back to their own graduations. Could they remember who their speaker was, or what was said? Did they get any bad advice? You see, I had to write a commencement address for the grad school I attended years back---kind of an Alum Girl Makes Good speech. Now, I always say, if it's a speech you need, you could do worse than asking a writer. We have experience making something out of nothing, making order out of chaos, and squeezing blood from stones. But the only requirements to help me narrow down the universe of infinite combinations of letters, numbers and punctuation marks: "Five minutes; humor would be appreciated."

Endeavoring to write a commencement speech without the usual cliches, the whole thing became a reflection on cliche-free living and, oddly enough, perfectionism to some degree.

This is the whole ceremony: my part is around minute 44. The whole thing looks very crisp but you can't hear the audience reactions at all. This recording by faithful friend Penny has more ambient noise and I just love the interpeter's reaction and signing of "throw your typewriter off a cliff."

What did you want to be when you grew up? How did it work out for you? Now, what do you want to be when you grow up?