Twisted Sisters

Here's three of the four us, enjoying a beautiful sunny day in McAlester, Oklahoma, known for the maximum-security prison and its proximity to Krebs, home to multiple fabulous Italian restaurants. Some nice guy in the parking lot of the motel where we met took this picture, and except for my windblown hair, we look fabulous, too. Too bad we couldn't have gotten DL there, too, but I guess traveling halfway across the country for Italian food is a bit much to ask . . . maybe . . . though I wouldn't swear to it. I'd drive a looong way for great gnocchi.

Yesterday I set fire to parts of my yard and watched the thatch that's accumulated over the last few years burn. I also burned enough downed wood to make a couple of good-size trees, and I saw only one snake -- a harmless type. I did find a big turtle in a hole that was almost exactly the size of his body. I lifted him out, and after taking a while to recuperate from his shock, he toddled off into what little tall grass is left there.

The first cutting of hay -- er, grass -- is almost done! Two more hours, and this whole damn yard will be all trimmed at once. Of course, I should have started over on the front yard against yesterday and won't get to it before tomorrow, but I'll have oh, all of five minutes to feel some sense of accomplishment. But it's Monday, and after a nice long chat with Leah, I'm going to actually write today. I'm looking forward to it. No gopher holes, no copperheads, no Achilles tendonitis to make each step throb -- hey, no steps while seated at the desk . . . it ain't heaven, but it's close. Rachel9:04 AM