Holly - oh, I get it. Is the ceremony going to be inconvenient, distance or something from the judge? Don't ask me how I know or if it had anything to do with immigration/visas, etc. but this US/Jpn couple got married in Japan in June and then the ceremony in December over here.

Leslie - glad you can see Karen later this month. Portland? Maybe, like Seattle, the cherry blossoms, especially at the Japanese Garden, might still be hanging on.  Even with the cherry blossom crowds, with no dogs, joggers, etc and nothing but slowly walking around taking in so much nature within its boundaries, it's probably ripe with the "tranquility" and "peace" I like about the one here in Seattle/

ps - though I didn't know who at the time, I guess Karen was in the crowd of well-wishers as Kate finished her MM qualifier just ahead of me in the Christmas Marathon, I think, down by Olympia. However, Steve specifically mentioned her last.

I’m not much for soaking in the tub . . ..

dnaff - that's probably because you've never soaked in the naturally different kinds, quantities, mixes, etc. of minerals in all the hot springs in Japan for every ailment under the sun, every celebration you can imagine, etc. depending on volcanic source type, substrates, etc.  Good luck.

Dave - sorry that your 79-day project from H just got a three month extension that should pretty much ruin the summer, or  maybe, by adding extra time, not. Good luck.

3 miles run during lunch break.

DS#1 and my lovely daughter-in love got married by civil wedding in Geneva 6 months before their official weddings so that they can be allowed to enter each other's country as spouses through the pandemic.