Last night we walked to a friend’s condo for drinks and then went out to dinner. It was the first time that my wife and I had a social engagement on Sunday night where neither one of us had to drive home or go to work the next morning. As a result, perhaps we had a bit too much to drink, but still somehow managed to fulfill our late night dog responsibilities. In addition, we both were feeling a little frisky. The week before it was a Monday night dinner at a friend’s house with a long drive home, so we’ve been active and engaged in joint retirement. This weekend we’ll have our first apartment overnight guests that will be a challenge in these close quarters. They’ll be testing out the inflatable mattress here in my writing “office.” Fortunately, it’s my wife’s youngest and her husband that will be our guinea pigs. They will definitely be impressed that we are right down the street from the wedding and after-party that we’ll all be attending, as they’ll likely sacrifice comfort for convenience. 

The week after the wedding, which happens to be the marriage of my wife’s other daughter, we’ll entertain a friend of mine for a couple of nights. He’s having some tests run at a hospital that happens to be a block away, so it only makes sense for him to try our new guest accommodations. He’s also been a regular guest in our home ever since they moved out to the coast last year, but we always had two extra bedrooms. My small office space should be comfortable enough for one person, even though later in December his wife will join him. It at least has a spacious adjoining bath and some privacy. I liken the cushy mattress to a bounce house at a child’s birthday party. It even has an inflatable headboard to prevent any head-banging injuries. We’ll get our turn on it in about a month when another couple arrives for a week. For their stay, we’ll give up our bed and sleep on the inflatable. He just had knee surgery and deserves a little more comfort. We’re also wisely breaking up their visit with a couple of nights at a quaint hotel in wine country that will provide all of us with a good night’s sleep and some privacy.  

After these experiments in apartment entertaining, word may very well spread that it’s best to get a hotel room when visiting us. Or, the bounce house may prove to be a popular novelty for those traveling to Portland. If sleeping on it is at all tolerable, we’re surrounded by bars, restaurants, and retail that make our neighborhood a desirable destination. I guess we’ll soon find out if we can make it work. We did consider a purchasing or renting a Murphy Bed, but we’d have to sacrifice the small couch that makes for a cozy office. Welcome my friends to the Bounce House!