4th

so it's the 4th of july and we're all very happy about that. kara's just gone to her boss's house to do some filing (he's been in hawaii for a week and a half or so) and after she's back we'll both do some cleaning of our own house. kara got me a gift certificate for a professional housecleaning service for my birthday, but of course we have to make the place presentable before we can allow them to come over.

we're also trying a little experiment today. i've taken the baby/dog gates down, giving the dogs free reign of the house, including of course the upstairs, normally the cats' haven. we want all 4 animals to get along or at least not be terrified of each other all the time, and this is a step we're taking. we'll see how it goes.

i finished another charles bukowski book this morning. i don't know if i liked it. it was terrifically sexually graphic but not in the least erotic. but there were some good moments in the book, in which the character sort of philosophized about his chosen way of life. still, i don't know that i'd recommend the book.

meanwhile, my parents, sister, and brother-in-law are headed for star island this weekend. one day kara and i will make it there. one day.

and we're hoping dagmar and steve won't have adverse reactions to fireworks, as max most certainly did. poor old max.