Thank you, thank you

I am grateful for

• My family who loves me
• My friends who put up with me
• My job, because even though it drives me crazy, it gives me security
• The children in our family—Ellen, Evie, Max, and Maggie--
• The opportunity to vote in this year’s election and for the hope that things will start to get better
• My pets, who teach me daily about unconditional love and the simple joys of life
• The music, books, and movies that bring me so much pleasure and entertainment

Happy Thanksgiving!

Roomba cat

Okay, this cracks me up. Do you suppose that cat rides the Roomba all day long?



Kinda makes me want to get one. Roomba, the world's most expensive cat toy.

So, how did YOUR weekend go?

Late Saturday night, getting ready for bed, I walked into my bedroom and immediately noticed a strong scent of something...rotten. I figured it couldn't be natural gas, because the smell was just in the bedroom and the furnace and water heater are on the other side of the house. Then I realized...it was the odor of dead mouse. I looked everywhere for it--under the bed, in the closet, behind the dresser--nope, nowhere. Had it crawled into the heating vent and died? How would I get it out? How long do dead mice smell? Too tired to worry about it, I crawled into bed and fell asleep.

The next morning, making my bed, I discovered the poor wee mousie behind one of the bed legs. Trying to forget that I had slept the night less than a foot away from a dead mouse, I focused on being grateful it hadn't died in the vent or the walls. After properly disposing of the ex-mouse, I scrubbed the floor and lit a scented candle to air the room out.

Earlier Saturday night, I watched the movie Grey Gardens, which was recommended by Shawn. In one memorable scene, Little Edie feeds Wonder bread and Purina Cat Chow to the raccoons living in her attic. Edie lived with raccoons, I live with dead mice. If I start wearing towels on my head like Edie did, somebody better snap me out of it.

For Parky Toenail

Happy now?

The iceman, he's on his way

This weekend, it was time to face reality and realize that winter is coming soon. I pulled out all the tomato plants and raked the lawn (for the third time). The weather was gray and cold and damp, a true November day. We even had a little snow, although it didn't last. Just enough to for Old Man Winter to whisper in your ear, "See you soon!"

I even spent a little time in the kitchen, making a split pea soup that seemed right for the season. I also attempted something called a galette, but I won't embarrass myself by describing how I goofed up with it.

And somehow, in the surest sign yet that the days of playing outside are over, Alice finally popped her bouncy ball. Here she is having one final tender moment with it:

All in a day's work

Last night, one of our regulars called--a man who's known for asking, with complete sincerity, questions that can best be described as off-the-wall.

After asking several questions about the election process, he asked this one: "Is it true that wearing blue jeans brings you bad luck?"

Sigh.

Baby bug