Another Month Older . . .

No deeper in debt, though. If you get that reference, you earn one thousand bonus retro points.

The end of June and onset of July have roared past us. Keeping up with a feisty kitten has that effect. We decided to introduce Ashe to the house bit by bit, in a highly regimented fashion. Initially, we gave her free rein to explore the living room and office, using a ridiculous blockade of shelving units to keep her from the kitchen and bedrooms. Since Ashe is sufficiently petite to fit through the widest gate openings, additional units were required to block access through these slots. We then let her check out the bedrooms and bathroom while keeping the kitchen off limits. Yesterday, at long last, the little pistol has finally been given access to the entirety of the Carroll household. I, for one, am grateful we have reached this stage; stepping over the makeshift barricade to pour a drink or prepare supper was getting old (and occasionally painful).

Feline relations have, on the whole, improved. Peaches has taken to the little one much faster than either Sandi or I had anticipated. We have gotten used to seeing one gray blur gallivanting after another on paths through the house. However, Samus, who has gotten rather lazy, is less enthusiastic about new play sessions. Our biggest issue has been Peaches' insistence that she partake of the same hearty fare as her new little sister. No amount of mediocre adult cat food can replace the aura of mystery surrounding Ashe's kitten chow, it seems. On the other hand, perhaps the flashy new bowl is the big thing. Who knows?

I have continued work on my dissertation at the office, which made for quite the sense of déjà vu today. This is to be expected, with a holiday over the weekend, but I seriously saw no one on campus. Maybe they decided to get even with me, since I was a no-show after a horrid bout of insomnia overnight on Tuesday. Our sleep schedules were both disrupted that night, but we are pretty much back on track now. The holiday gets Sandi her first weekend off in four weeks -- and only then if you count being laid out with a stomach bug as a relaxing time.

Have a safe and happy Independence Day, everyone!