Everett reads in the swing next to the driveway, with two cats for company.

Emil tours the farmyard, making sure all is as it should be.

***

May 5th is the day I always expect the new leaves to pop out. None yet, though.

***

Just as I'm thinking I might as well disable the Comments function because no one ever uses it anyway, I come to the webpage and am pleasantly surprised:

Hi Leanne. You're welcome. Living this close to Grandma, I should be visiting her more often. Am thinking of doubling the frequency of my trips to town. Twice a week won't kill me.

Charlotte, what say we meet for lunch on the 14th? I'll be in Kelvington for a checkup with Doctor Audrey that morning. Congratulations on the new job. I imagine the Chronicle is a fun place to work.

***

A while ago I posted to a list about some physical ailments (cold sores) that have been frustrating me for years. A wise and wonderful friend responded that she believes everyone has in their lifetime some afflictions; there is always something to challenge each of us.

I realized this morning (weeks later!), upon waking up, why that didn't sit right with me, though I couldn't argue with the reality of it: I expect perfect health and happiness. In spite of all evidence to the contrary in my own life and the world around me, I still think perfect health and happiness are the natural state of things and that anything else is a mistake, a misstep.