They gave me these lovely crystal wine goblets, you see, and if I don’t have a bottle of wine open on the counter and pour myself a glass periodically, the crystal will become brittle and prone to breakage. Can’t have that.

This week it’s a merlot from the Okanagan Valley, and I’m on my second glass. It’s been raining and cool all day, and I haven’t more than poked my nose out. So I’m waiting for a half-dozen pizza bagels to come out of the oven, and then I’m taking off for a walk. I need some breeze.

Phone. Gail, Don’s aide. She is coming out for a visit tonight, wants to see Don because she hasn’t been at school since Day One, when the strike started. Come on along, I said. If I’m still out on my walk, come in and make yourself at home -- Don will be here -- until I get back.

Scent of the Herb Comfrey Leaf Hand and Body Lotion, from the Super Salve Company in New Mexico, has been slathered onto the soles of my feet. Hot pink socks have been slipped over top, so that my sweetie cannot fault me for walking with oily feet on the carpeting. They are drinking up the moisture.

What? I'm only having two glasses. MMMerlot.

Hell, that's tame. Farmbeau's been bringing the tequila down from the cupboard and filling a shot glass for me when I'm in the middle of cooking. He's a bad influence. I say he's trying to soften me up for something. Maybe that's his new seduction technique. If so, it works.

xoxoetc
~~~Kate