Heart of Darkness

Hello. Did you know that Western Pennsylvania has been transplanted into darkest Africa? Yes! It has! We have 6-billion% humidity, but DROUGHT CONDITIONS. My glasses fog up when I step from an air-conditioned building into the outdoors. There was a bit of heavy rain yesterday, but we are supposed to be making an effort to conserve water. I don't get it. And more importantly, I don't like it.

To make matters even better, we're having our annual picnic lunch here at work today. In the parking lot behind the building. Nothing like BBQ and blacktop in the heat of the workday afternoon to say, "Thanks--you do a great job." Want to show me how much I'm appreciated? Send me the hell home for the afternoon.

In other news, I officially declined the offer from the hospital. I think I did the right thing. I'm starting the part-time job at the public library next week, and will continue to be patient until the right full-time job comes along. I admit that I regret turning down the hospital because of the possibility of meeting a hot surgeon, but . . . I'll get over that.

Then again, I'm taking the boy and one of his friends camping this weekend, so maybe my future lies in some hot lumberjack-type fellow. I've always had a weak spot for a man in flannel.

My dining room in filling up with camping gear. I'm trying to plan and pack carefully, as this is the first camping trip I've undertaken as the sole adult. Who's in charge of putting up the tent? Me. Who's in charge of the fire? Me? Cooking? Me. Everything else? Me. I'll put the boys to work, but I'm trying to make sure I do as much as possible ahead of time so the weekend isn't just one big drudge-fest.

Speaking of camping, if you have any favorite campfire dishes to share, I'm all ears. (Or, I suppose, eyes.) Anyone?