Autumn's a good time to take up drinking...

Whew. The schoolyear's crazy! I'm a little worried about Daddy since he missed a couple of days of work, but I'll have to check on him later tonight-- Jimmy's not awake yet and won't take the phone down. Speaking of my old pal (who always carries a Pilot styrofoam cup full of vodka and orange juice), his friend stole my grandmother's banjo on his way out of town. I wish he'd taken anything else, and part of me wants to hurt him. But what would Mam herself say if she were still alive? Thinking of her gives me strength, allows me to stay awake all day and find pleasure in labor. Someday I want to be like her.

Eventually I'll post pictures of my new kitties.

Wet your whistle with wine, boyo, the Dog-star's back;

it's a hard time of year, everything's parched with heat.

Pleasant out of the bush comes the cicada's noise,

and the thistle's in flower. Women are dirtiest

now, but men are reduced--Sirius dries the sap

from their head and their knees...

Let's drink! The Dog-star's round again.

-Alcaeus, the Greek poet. And now, Mike Mignola's words of wisdom: