1. It turns out that Lynn Shepherd's novel, Tom-All-Alone's is not only a take off on Bleak House, but it's also a story with grisly murders and other disturbing subject matter. Lynn Shepherd's depiction of the poverty, terrible living conditions, and gin-fueled lewdness in the destitute neighborhoods of 1850s London is far more graphic and detailed than what Dickens described in Bleak House, making certain passages of this book very difficult to endure. I'm eager, all the same, to see how it all turns out. I'm in a place in the story right now where things look dire for Charles Maddox, the book's central character and detective. Fairly soon, I'll know how it all worked out -- and I'll see if the book also borrows from The Woman in White. I am under the impression it will, but I could be wrong.
2. Once again, today -- and soon this won't be news any longer! --, Gibbs showed us how much he loves the back yard. This afternoon, after the lawn guys had finished mowing, it was especially fun to watch Gibbs play in the shorter grass and, with growing independence, explore all areas in the back.
3. In what seemed like a split second late this afternoon, after I made some rice, Debbie fixed salmon burger patties, steamed some cauliflower, and assembled a superb green salad for dinner. We enjoyed our dinner on the deck as the shade grew and watched Gibbs frolic some more in the grass. Debbie took off after dinner to knit with a friend on her deck. Gibbs hasn't spent much time with me alone in the last week, but we got along just fine. He relaxed with me after a while and then, thanks to all of his back yard hopping and sniffing around, he fell into a deep sleep and woke up just before Debbie returned.
Here's a limerick by Stu:
Long ago when Summer was King.
You enjoyed what hot weather would bring.
But now dadgummed Heat,
Is no longer a treat.
Prefer temps more like Autumn and Spring.
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