Plaid is not a favourite fabric, unless it is made of rich colours that I like. Lately Everett has been growing out of his clothes (that boy has dark purple stretchmarks in shocking places ... recently he told me he's just found some in his armpits; I'm not kidding when I say he's been growing crazyfast) and handing them down to me. His pants are now too large for me to wear in the garden without tying the waist with a rope, but recently I was able to claim this flannel shirt, which is plenty roomy on me while its sleeves, on Everett, don't quite reach his wrists anymore.

For the first time in 20 years, my neck has not given me grief for more than four weeks. This is stupendous, considering that I usually have to take between four and eight pills each month. I am crediting my five months of the Tibetan Rites for this incredible improvement, and will be not only amazed but extremely grateful if this improved condition persists.

Sadly, I still get the odd zit. At age 49. Tsk. See there, on my cheek? Yeah. Maybe the Rites will vanquish those buggers, too. Not that I'm complaining, really. They're rare enough. I must be approaching "that time of month." Before long, I suspect, those times will be a thing of the past for me, too. I'm looking forward to that.

***

My boys are gone with their dad for the rest of July and the house is very quiet, the days have been hot since they left, and life is good. I wear my bathing suit all day and pretend there's a beach outside my door.