Today it began to rain around 3:00 PM, a wild wind sweeping the branches of the backyard Maple up and down. I let myself out the side door and walked into the rain and just stood there for a minute or two. I'm in the middle (or the outskirts) of a city and I felt like I was alone in a wilderness, like the rain was its own world that took me out of this one.

I admit to watching Dr. Phil today, and yesterday. Today he had on an overweight black man who was addicted to eating and spending money; a woman whose husband hoarded paper (and Dr. Phil's solution I'd long ago discovered on my own) and another woman who complained that every family activity revolved around the Boy Scouts. They even appeared on the show in their scout uniforms (her too). Yesterday-- or was it yesterday?-- he had on married couples on the brink of collapse.

They gray cat is losing fur along his spine. I've thought of buying him a toy dog sweater to wear during the winter, but worry it could snag on a tree branch and cause him harm or worse. Poor cat! I wish I could let him inside again, but Y. is allergic and the cat, being old, does not control his bodily functions as a younger version might.

The baby is so sweet! Sweet, sweet, sweet. She sees me in the morning and sings "Maaahhh Maaahhh." This morning she said "Hay loe Mama." When I hold her it's like she melts against me, she nuzzles against my neck and hugs me. I love her so much it hurts.