I've said little publicly about an event that happened at the Huntsville main library last month, but now that a local TV station has provided a video article about the armed kidnapping and robbery of a librarian, I feel a little safer in acknowledging that the incident happened.

(Link will probably spawn a popup, requires Flash, and has audio. However, I don't think it has cooties.)

• 12:38 AM PT: [cat.net] homecoming. - http://domesticat.net/node/1437
• 10:15 AM PT: Best. Repacking. Job. EVER. I'm afraid to breathe on my bag lest it explodes.
• 11:49 AM PT: Last meal in Seattle. Subway by the airport.
• 12:46 PM PT: Last coffee in Seattle.
• 12:52 PM PT: As I walk the airport I think: hoodie, hiking boots, coffee. I think I have my answer.
• 12:54 PM PT: At gate, hoping I'll sleep on the cross country flight.

Just after midnight, Pacific time. We've played our games of Munchkin, I've infected Debbie with a fascination for the card game Set, and our night is done. I'm not packed, but all the Gessamans are in varying stages of bedding down for a long winter's nap.

It's time to go home.

• 12:07 AM PT: The west coast slackers have finally hit 2008. Happy new year to any of you who are still sober.
• 12:41 AM PT: I see you, @crazybutable - hugs to you and your girls. :)
• 1:55 AM PT: Quiet chat with @adamrg, now snuggled up under greatest blanket gift EVAR. Warm toes and hands? Happy Amy.
• 8:57 AM PT: Boiling water for tea. Soon, reading as the house wakes up.

• 11:48 AM PT: Coffee and donuts at Tim Horton's, followed by hugs goodbye. I waited far too long to see these friends.
• 11:57 AM PT: Crossing bridge in Surrey. Decemberists on the iPod, and a quiet grey sky. Content.
• 12:24 PM PT: Easiest border interrogation ever. Welcome back to America!
• 2:26 PM PT: Lunch w/a friend of Adam's whom, I learned, already knew me through my blog!
• 5:06 PM PT: [cat.net] Pacific time - http://domesticat.net/node/1434

Brad
at , New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada by domesticat.

How to put this. How to say it in words. How to damp down thought, impression, compulsion into mere vocabulary, and leave it out for the world to see.

I hugged Brad, and I made a squeaky noise. When I had awakened earlier that morning and realized that I would see him and Alice that day, I realized it had been too long since I had seen them. Years too long.