That's our new expletive, Mr. Right and I. Instead of a holy shit! or even a sacre bleue! we now yelp Christ the King and Cows! Yes, there's a story behind it, and yes, I'll get to it.

First and foremost: The wedding. On Friday, in an impossible-to-find rose garden in an impossible-to-find state park in Northeastern Ohio, I saw my dear friend and ex-great-love marry his beautiful bride against the backdrop of autumn leaves. No, I didn't cry, though a couple of times I thought I might. They are a wonderful couple, and they belong together. I wish them every happiness.

The reception was held at a Masonic Hall, and was Medieval in style. I will upload pics soon (I always say that and never do, so I hope she emails me to pick on me till I do it).

On Saturday, without any fatalities, I finally met the American Princess, EM Zanotti. We've been trying to do this for over a year, but people keep dying just days before we're to get together. Husband and I decided to make a side trip to the Crunchy Capital of Ann Arbor, Michigan to meet the Princess. So glad we did. Ann Arbor is beautiful - almost as lovely as EM herself. She had her best friend in tow, who Mr. Right and I are now totally smitten with and hope to see again. There were, of course, margaritas. That was a given, really. I have always been intrigued by American college towns, and thought them very romantic, in a wholesome apple pie sort of way. But after spending a few days there, I realize they look better in the movies than in real life - at least to me. I could never live in a town where at 30, I am the oldest one in the bar, including the bouncer (who actually carded me!) and the manager. No thanks. I need grown ups!

On Sunday Mr. Right and I took a drive around. We went into Detroit (and lived!!!), then past it to see Gross Point. Gorgeous. I haven't seen homes like that up close since the old days of doing the Wendy Drive around Senneville in Montreal. However, the lakeshore has been privatized. You must belong to a yacht/country club to get anywhere near the water. How odd. But I guess that's what money can buy. Something to work towards, I suppose. And then it was off in search of EM's school, just to see the place that gets to handle that wonderful brain of hers. We think we found it. We may never know for sure, because the building we came across was completely unmarked. It looked spookily like the NSA Headquarters just outside of Washington DC. Big and black with no signs as to its purpose. But the street name made sense, and there was a big cathedral (Christ the King) and lots of cows, as we were told there would be. And the name of the farm? Too perfect to be a coincidence. So EM, I think I've seen your school. And Christ the King and Cows, it's huge!!

Back home yesterday, and back to real life tomorrow. Blah. Oh well. It was a relaxing mini-vacation.