We are out to sea and, once again, heading to who knows where. The sweltering heat is brutal and I find it hard to imagine life in the Arabian Gulf without air conditioning. However hot and bothered I may be, it dawned on me that I’m just one of the many Crane-Ossola-Marsiglia’s that are getting sizzled by summer. My sister-in-law, Vicky, is currently enduring a horrendous boots and utes summer down in Paris Island, South Carolina. I think she is about halfway done and I look forward to hearing her own war stories this Christmas. My Father—Happy Dad-day big guy—recently retired from over 30 years of working in the public school system. He is hanging out in Palm Desert by the pool—and as always probably slurping down a frozen margarita—enjoying his first of many carefree trips around the world. My brother Gabe, in all his infinite wisdom, is setting out to do the impossible; canoe down America’s historical Mississippi River. From Minnesota to Louisiana, Gabe carries with him a certain youthful swagger and craftiness that only baby bro can get away with. And so far his anecdotes are awesome; check out his blog at http://www.mississippi-project.blogspot.com/. Let’s see, who else. Ah yes, my beautiful beautiful wife Nicole. She is knee deep in research projects, Krav Maga classes, getting her business off the ground, and participating in Voices for Children—her own take at societal restitution. And all this in a city she has lived in for less than 6 months. This is why I love her.