I lean and loaf at my ease, observing a speck of summer grace.
---Walt Whitman.

Rich retired one year ago. The back room ceiling is still where it was. The shower still leaks, and thus the dining room carpet is still unravelling. Rich does have a nice computer and printer, but only balances his checkbook with it. (Nothing but socks and underwear for presents, say I! No more neat games!) He built the Kit Mahal. And the garden is going great.

I've been documenting my own slothfulness weekly.

Yesterday we woke up at 9 because the vet called to ask how the kittens were. Actually, I still hear the occasional sneeze, though they are just fine.

Abercrombie and Fitch.
Note her splayed out hind foot.
(Roni's picture)

They have become the Thundering Herd. They charge through the house, while the dog is tied up to the coffee-table/steamer trunk. Both yesterday and today, too, we've left him alone when he came back from his walk, and the cats tease him immercifully. He's adjusting, and they are getting bigger, as well.

Today I ran errands: copies of engagement announcements at 2 cents each, to Loretto to pick up a couple more Loretto Links, mail Bernadette a package of forwarded mail, get my New York Times, and go to the Neighbors office to give them the Gonzaga graduation information. Since they completely ignored Vince, we'll see if they also ignore B.

Vince called three times, once from Spokane as he left Bernadette's (I just sent her two 10-minute phone cards, so I hope this particular inability to communicate ends soon) and twice from St. Regis Montana. The first call was to ask Dad what it meant when the transmission felt spongy, and the second was with the good news that AAA refilled the transmission fluid and he doesn't need a rebuilt one 100 miles away from Spokane.

I had the last of the spaghetti I made last Friday for Bernadette's roommate and fiance who were supposed to be coming through with their cats as they move to LA. B. had no news about them, either, but I suspect they've come and gone. If not, we can always order pizza.

A lazy, neat day. This retirement thing has been great, so far.