Tonight after work, it was a pleasure to spend the evening at my sister’s house.

It was obligatory to have the NCAA championship game on the TV. None of us had a special interest in any team having to win, but we all hoped the underdog, Gonzaga, would win.

Before the game, though, my sister had bought hamburger, brats, and hot dogs, and all the trimmings, and had them set out, ready to be supperified, when I arrived.

The treat of the night was having my cousin Darci, her husband Dave, and their two special kids, Kami and Ashton, there at my sister’s, just being together as a family. My sister’s son’s girlfriend was also there, who clearly enjoys being surrounded by warmth.

Soon after I arrived, we had a plate of meats out on her back patio, being emptied onto the grill. It was cool and the sunlight was golden and orange on the Sandia mountains behind us, before dusk’s mood soured and the sky darkened for a short time. The wind rose, and then cold rain spattered me as I maned the grill. I had left my coat in my truck, so it was a cold grill session- but the burgers and brats turned out well and tasted good on a cold night like tonight.

After dinner, the game started, and the kids retreated to different places around her house while we adults rode out two anxiety-provoking halves to see North Carolina lurch out in front of Gonzaga at the end. It was an entertaining game.

After the game, my sister took my cousin and her family to my parents’ house where they are staying, and I came on home. My mom was quite sick tonight at home- a rarity- so I am hoping she is better tomorrow morning.

While in my sister’s back yard before grilling began, we did have a nice moment. On to the east of my sister’s house, right up against the north rim of the mesa, a lone coyote could be seen walking behind some bushes as some mesa walkers passed near it down in the arroyo beneath it. Shortly after the people passed by it, it came out from behind the plants and followed a fleeing bunny down toward the arroyo. The coyote then slowly walked south, across the main arroyo channel, and on toward the other side of the open space. It was a small and lean animal, and enjoyable to see in the bright evening light.