I didn't quite manage to stay abed until 9:00 drinking coffee, but I did lounge about until past 8:00, so that's all right. I cleaned the kitchen, including cabinets and door frames, mopped, set up the new litter box, vacuumed, put away laundry, tossed out catalogs, and had begun sorting out mail when James arrived. We had a couple of hours to visit, and then Stephen, Rick, and Isil arrived, while I cooked spaghetti (lots of vegetables and garlic and herbs, with ground turkey), and the guys worked crossword puzzles and talked and teased each other. I enjoyed them all so much! We don't have many chances to just visit and not be on a schedule. They've all gone now, James on his way up to his wife up past Nashville, and the others back to their places.

Oh, the litter box! I won't pay $180 for an electric box that scoops automatically, and this is the next best thing (I hope). It rolls over and catches what needs to be removed, so you don't have to scoop. I sincerely hope this works.

And Yahoo IM keeps trying to sign me in and then giving up. Why?

froofie just posted that Alton Brown of Good Eats is going to be a Celebrity Guest Reader for Romeo and Juliet at the Shakespeare Tavern this February!!!!

Although I am sick to death of that play, I will be there and watch that night (Lord willing and the creek don't rise.)

Being a lemming, gakked from all over my flist

Get your own spectral analysis from Area 23®

We've had unusually warm days lately, with highs around 60, but still my car's windows are still frosted in the morning. Complicates getting dressed in the morning. #2 son came to visit, and bought lasagna for dinner last night. Haven't had any in months, and had forgotten how good it is. Continuing on the cooking thought, I bought a small cast iron skillet last week, pre-seasoned, and have been stunned by how non-stick it is. I've been making omelets and they flip beautifully. Why did I delay so many years? Why??

Happy birthday to inglenook, who had lovely instructions on how to celebrate her birthday.

There was a mailing at the Shakespeare Tavern Monday night. froofie bribes us with Papa John's pizza, and we all have a lovely time visiting while we stick labels on. It's another variation on quilting bees or corn huskings -- work that keeps your hands busy, but leaves your mind and voice free. We veered from geeking out on LOTR to 1776, which is one of my absolutely favorite movies ever. We've worn out 2 videotapes of it, and now have the DVD, which has added back the musical number that was cut from the film on Richard Nixon's orders, "Cool, Considerate Men," which seems more and more appropriate with this administration.