The terrible heat continues. You cannot believe how good that cool shower felt this morning, and getting off all of that sweat and other peoples' smoke smell and splashed beer. I love all sorts of music, but I have to say that you don't get covered with smoke and alcohol at most jazz and classical concerts.

It is hotter and drier here in Michigan than it is in Madrid, Spain, where my son is sleeping right now. After leaving Biarritz, France, which is supposed to have wonderful beaches (and do not ever underestimate the lure of the ocean on a bunch of Midwestern teenagers who live far from the sea), the kids went on into Spain, stopping for the night at the old historic city of Burgos. They are now Madrid until it is time to come home later this week. They knew that in France they would be seeing Notre Dame and the Louvre, and the beach, of course. The only thing they knew they would be seeing for certain in Spain was Pamplona. I hope they got a chance to see the Gothic Cathedral in Borgos, as it sounds lovely.

I love the internet. We can look at pictures of the hotels Bill has stayed at.

In Paris: Hotel Tryp de Saxe http://www.dilos.com/hotel/2693

In Biarritz: Altess Hotel http://www.altesshotel.com

In Borgos: Hotel Cordon http://www.hotelcordon.com

In Madrid: Petit Palace Puera del Sol

http://www.solartours.com/madrid_vacations/petit_palace_puerta_del_sol_-.asp

Haven't been able to teach Steven how to bake, as we had planned. It's been way too hot to be running the oven...