Home has been, I’ll confess, a clasping, constricting, smothering thing. Familiar routines felt like failure. Words were spoken short and sharp.

Just in time, we left for two weeks in another, prettier city, where if the wind blows right, sea scent hints at adventures far, far away.

And almost the best part (almost, there were several great parts) was coming home.

Back to my cats, and our bed, and the best shower in the world, and cellphones turned on, and some boxes still needing to be unpacked and familiar paths walked in the park and it feels like I belong here.

It’s a good place to stand while I blow 2012 a kiss farewell from over my shoulder.