Oakland is glowing under an early summer sun, and the streets are quiet, calmed by light winds from the peaceful bosom of Lake Merrit. Barkey is scooping avocados and odds and ends into a bowl for guacamole. Barky is the light of my life. Elvis is singing in the kitchen. I am rested after a long weary drive. Mudlark and I were up until the wee hours swapping tunes. It was most peaceablw evening.

Happy Independence Day, Mom. May you always have more independence than you need, just in case.

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