I call it the money accords. Maria and I reached a happy and fair agreement on how we wish to handle our finances. I am thrilled with our decisions, and so is she. We each got something we wanted, and we each gave up something we went. Unless you are in the U.S. Congress, compromise is good news.

No one feels defeated or bullied; everyone gets most of what they want and also gets the satisfaction of giving something they love something they wanted. I think that’s how it’s supposed to work. I think that’s what true love is. I think that’s what partnership means. Nobody loses, everybody gives.

I went to the dentist this morning; I had to cancel my weekly blog meeting, which I cherish, and almost got out clean. There was some swelling in my gums. No cavities and my teeth look good and strong – except for one. Dr. Merryman spotted an infected gum. We’re trying to knock it out with antibiotics and some applied medicine.

If that doesn’t work, I could lose the tooth. I’m lucky he spotted it; we’ll see what happens. I have to see him next week. I’m not in any pain.

Zinnia came and is now totally at ease at the dentist. She went from cubicle to cubicle until she found a middle-aged man,  a newcomer to the practice. He is a dog lover and had a bag of treats in his pocket. Zinnia abandoned for a half hour and sat by his side.

“What a good therapy dog, ” he said. She came by to check on me regularly but wasn’t about to leave that pocket. All the while, she looked adoringly into the patient’s eyes. I don’t think he was fooled.

Another storm is approaching today, as you can see. Maria decided not to go to her very beloved Belly Dancing class. That’s rare for my Willa Cather wife.

I’m starting to see my Iphone 13 as my Battle Camera, which is good for capturing the power of storms. My Lieca’s are softer, wonderful portrait and street cameras.

I’m looking forward to the Caffe Lena stream from Saratoga at 7:3o tonight. The performers are two young men, one from Venezuela and one from North Carolina,  who fuse Venezuelan and Appalachian music. I’ve got to catch that on this very stormy night.  I’m getting spoiled hearing live music from my living room.

More later.