I actually tried to post yesterday, but you know these damn computers. After the third try I gave up and went about the business of washing dirty dishes.

I've been slacking on staying in touch lately: writing letters, phone calls, blogging. We've had two sets of visitors, so it's been kind of busy. My dad and brother left last Tuesday, and then Mema showed up on Saturday.

Sunday, Mema and I played cards, prepared quiche with potato crusts (one turned out great, the other was a little gross), watered the garden and repotted baby plants. We've been fighting with the snow from the cottonwood tree that has been thickly accumulating on the ground and blowing in our faces. I tossed out all the baby centipedes I found at the bottom of the pots. (Centipedes like to eat baby worms and worm eggs--so those buggers got the boot into the canal.) We juiced a bagful of grapefruits from Snark's aunt in Tucson (three bags still left). In the evening we played more cards with our neighbor Andy who came over for a visit. Daisy, her dog, came too, and a moment after Daisy came in, we heard a meow at the door. Juno (one of the cats we'll be cat-sitting while Andy's away) wanted to come inside as well. The two dogs and cat ran around, playing and sniffing butts. Diamond, the other cat, meowed from outside, but was too shy to come into our house. It was exciting to see them all getting along, being friendly and curious.

The weather has actually taken a downward turn since Mema arrived. Monday was rainy and grey, and by early evening I finally succumbed to turning on the heat. We watched a fascinating film on gender: Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She. After, we turned off our brains and exposed Mema to one of our recent favorite comedies, Zombieland.

Today is really the only day that is supposed to be nice. It's partially cloudy, but 75 degrees! We're indulging in tie-dyeing as many items of clothing that we can find, thanks to Andy who has supplied us with her yard, the dyes, soda ash, and all the other necessary components.