I’m probably on a ferryboat with McDreamy right now

As you read this, I am on vacation. As with every vacation, I am in Washington state with my family. This time, I am staying primarily with my middle son, who lives with his wife and kids on five acres in the state’s capitol city of Olympia.

Their place has a guest house and I’ve brought my cat, Meep, so I assure you I am most comfortable here in the best state in the country.

In twenty minutes time, I can be in the heart of a multicultural city, deep into a forest on a well-worn trail or relaxed on a beach. I love it here, it was a great place to grow up. The temperature never reaches the hellish heights of the midwest, and even if it’s hot there’s no humidity to marinate you in your own sweat.

When it’s cold, it’s perfect sweater weather. No need to layer on long johns and parkas with a ski mask and hand warmers. Pipes might freeze, but it’s unlikely.

It’s the warmest part of summer here in August, and kids don’t go back to school until after Labor Day, so the grandbabies and I will have plenty of time for Play-Doh, fingerpaints and making up songs about farts. We have the same sense of humor, so that’s fun.

Am I missing Indiana?

No, not likely. But I’m surely missing my friends there. Even my acquaintances in Indiana are cool, I am so blessed with my midwest peeps, so lucky to count so many as my homies.

That’s one thing I don’t have in the Pacific Northwest, I don’t have any friends here (cue violins). All of my friends from younger days have either moved away or moved out of touch.

Sooooo I’ll be hanging out with family, which sounds damn good to me. I’ll be loving the weather and the natural beauty all around me. Hanging out with my cat, who is quite literally my best friend.

Visiting my sister, who is my lone living sibling, so she gets heaping portions of the crap I once spread evenly between all five. She loves it, or that’s what I tell myself anyway. She keeps accepting my calls, so I assume she does.

The truth is, I love her like crazy. Giving her crap is just my charming way of telling her so.

See y’all next week right here. I think I’ll write my next column on-location.

Patti is the editor of the Greene County Daily World. She loves kitty-cats, drinking wine and listening to records with good friends. If you would like to share a story or just make a friend, she can be reached at pattippdanner@gmail.com.