Monday, Bastille Day, was my 58th birthday.

Tracie, the girls, and I spent the last two weeks in San Diego at my mom’s. She’s 91 going on 92 and is in good health, especially given her age. But we are all making extra time to be with her.

We spent most of the last 14 days filling her home with the girls’ music, laughter, and sweetness. More than one photo album was dusted off as she shared faded images of the past with her granddaughters.

The biggest news back in Houston is that Tracie’s success as a realtor continues to grow. She’s been working full-time now for nearly five years and her blood, sweat, and tears — and believe me, in real estate, it’s blood, sweat, and tears! — have paid off in ways that we couldn’t have imagined. Poo, poo, poo…

With the ongoing tariff war, my work is, well, to borrow an expression from Mel Brooks, “in the toilet.” (“I’m not going to the toilet! I’m getting into the wine business!”)

A handful of my most faithful clients have stuck with me. (Thank you!) But others have just stopped calling. Tracie’s so busy these days that I’ve taken over all household duties and kid care.

Before we left for California, the girls completed two weeks of music camp. Their final chamber performances were great but nothing could top the symphony performance they did on the final day in the gorgeous auditorium at the high school for the performing arts (where they both want to attend).

Tracie and I are saddened by the ongoing wars and suffering in the world.

We are sickened by the U.S. government’s ongoing cruelty, myopia, and incompetence.

The flooding in central Texas was tragic and I can’t imagine the catastrophe hasn’t touched every corner of our state. I know it’s touched our community. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims’ families.

Workwise, I’m planning to expand our activist footprint. More on that later.

In the meantime, Tracie and I are praying for the vulnerable. And we haven’t lost hope that our kids can grow up in a better world than this.

G-d bless America, G-d bless us all, everywhere.