Great news about Karen, Pat. Probably the best thing for her was the hospital's ban on unrelated idiots hanging around. She just need a rest from your buddies--you'll have to work hard to keep Cletus and Paw and the Reg boys outa the house for a few weeks. I'd say you could ship them out here to stay with me, but my dogs would probably eat 'em and get sick and I don't relish cleaning up after the dumb critters (my dogs, that is). Oh, well. You'll think of something. I know! Send 'em all up to Fielding--you've been looking after those half-wit cousins of his long enough. It's his turn. But tell him he's gotta keep 'em away from my niece, okay?

--seed