Friday

Mi outdid herself for dinner this evening. She had "experimented" - using A's herb garden and her birthday mortar and pestle as her inspiration. The result - herb-encrusted chicken, vegetable cous cous, broccoli and salad. All very yummy, followed by Helga's strudel with ice cream, an excellent cup of tea, and some fruit (watermelon, rockmelon and mango). Double Yum. Unfortunately, we lost F early - not to his "assuming the position" and having his usual post-dinner nap on the lounge, but because he was off to the airport to pick up his brother, newly-in from OS. Apparently one of the boys had been lined up to collect him - tomorrow when he had originally planned to return - but that wasn't going to work this evening. But at least he had had a quiet afternoon - including watching "Real Steel" (? about tiny warrior robots) so chances were good that he was fresh enough to do the trip.

lf it had been me, I wouldn't have been able to do it regardless of how loud the music or the radio was cranked up or how much cold air was streaming through the open windows. People talk about getting out of bed on the wrong side and if that were something that was actually possible, I would have said I did it this morning. I was just totally ''out of sorts" and all over the place - and as weak as a kitten. I seriously considered not going to the office but my over-developed work ethic said "no!" (yes, loudly). In a way, that was good because it's better to crank at people you don't care about and it seems, for some strange reason, to be "easier" to not be truly mindful of what we say to friends.

Beasley saw the vet again today. His blood glucose readings are still very high and the vet wants to increase his insulin and do more tests next week. Poor Beasley ... but he is being very brave about having his shots and is settling into the routine very nicely.

The Plovers seem to be very happy in the paddock across the way. They have been sighted, although not by me even though I have been looking. I'll have another look tomorrow with the telephoto lens on Nik.