"Is that the gay dog?" is the first question as they point at Winston.
"Hey Goddess," they quickly say as she demands attention at the same time.
After following us upstairs, Goddess plops on the tile floor already bored. Winston, the little gay dog, prances to the large family sofa to observe everything from his perch beside the window.
In the Red Room they spy Sarah's workspace and linger for a moment to see things they've read about. Her desk is neatly organized with colorful files, notes and stacks of books she uses. The red room is full of windows and light allowing her to stare outside in thought if need be.
Continuing through the family room, we stroll into the kitchen with its two sliding glass doors, meaning that the entire inside of our house is bathed in light. It's a happy place.
In the kitchen, they immediately stare at the refrigerator covered with photographs of Sarah and I, our kids, and our friends. The pictures are held in place with Jesus magnets. Our guest stares at photos first begin to notice Jesus is everywhere!
"Jesus is coming. Hide your bong!" reads one and they either laugh out loud or shake their heads. At least one intruder announced that they are "totally unacceptable.""Is that the Beloved Back Deck?" is the next as they peer out the sliding to the wooden deck with the large table under the umbrella.
Walking outside, the deck is colored with pots exploding with plants. Colorful red, orange, purple and green flowers are everywhere, surrounding the grill and the Cheminea where the girls sometimes roast Marshmallows and make Smores.
Shaking their head, our visitor sees the Palm Tree with the oyster face, coconut bra and grass skirt. The tree shares a smile with our guests as they also see the signs covering the fence. "Fish Naked! Show off your rod" and "Fish Naked! Show off your bobbers!"
"Is that Fran's thousand shades of green?" they ask pointing at the wall of trees surrounding three-fourths of the back yard. The sun cascades brilliance on the leaves resulting in every imaginable shade of green.
"Which house is the Cat Lady's?" erupts next.
We point to the right and they see several black feral cats lounging everywhere. Leaning over the deck they see the outdoor shower and we watch them calculating the view from her top deck down into the wooden structure. She can actually see naked from there?
One of two things then happen. Either we sit at the table under the umbrella or retreat into kitchen and get to whatever business we have.
Sometimes its work. Other times, it's friends stopping by to share. Most often, it's just Sarah and I, the girls and the dogs.
"Home is where they want you," says the Major Prophet James Taylor. "You can more or less assume that you'll be welcomed in the end."
It's our office, sanctuary, refuge, occasional wrestling ring for spats or struggles, and home base though we have the ability to carry home with us wherever we go.
The girls are away this weekend. The kids are all heading to Florida. Sarah and I have no plans other than to enjoy making home together in our house.
