... I find the kitchen the most lonly place in the house.

Aww Rap, it'll only get better. Know it, ok?

I've had this little mood-lifter on my table for a few months now -- a peace lily growing in this big vase of water, so you can see the roots, complete with a lovely bright red and blue Siamese fighting fish. I sit beside it and watch it while I eat my meals alone. And believe it or not the little thing has learned to recognize me too! When I sit at that table these days it watches me, gets all excited and swims up to the surface looking for food. So, we eat together now, every day, under my cat's watchful gaze. :-)