Gargoyle visiting the declutter threads - that's a first! He has a point - if only an academic one - it would be nice if everyone could be weaned from these drugs and get back to "normal" lives.

Michelle, you are sounding quite content these days! That is such a nice thing to see, given how things were a year or 18 months ago.

I think my role in Susie's life, in addition to watching Zeke, is to try to feed her. I had dinner ready this evening when she came by to pick him up, and she ate. I think French toast tomorrow will be on the table right about 7am when she drops him off. This way I can at least know she gets a couple of meals. I told her I'd like to see more than static cling keeping her going.

My friend who is soon out of his house has had bad news and good news - the new apartment folks were going to ask for a second month's rent as deposit, but then called to say it would only be $250. Such relief! But we're still going to see if we can make a push to leave a few dollars in his pocket by clearing out the house. This will be a very busy week, I think. I told him that all things considered, with my friends who are needing help, he's moving and the other one's husband is dying. In perspective, he'll be fine in a month or two. I think he actually appreciated that reminder.

I bagged the peppers I cut up and froze last night, and bagged frozen whole okra. I picked another pound of okra - this is great - I am getting good edible stuff out of the yard.

Scatter-shot reporting this evening. I'm bushed - and I didn't do nearly as much as some of you. Claire, you deserve a badge (virtual, so it doesn't clutter your house) - and keep moving forward. Have a plan. Start with the smallest room first and empty it, leaving only what needs to be there, and move on. Now that you have the momentum, you need to nurture it, because success breeds success. For all of us!

SRS