Here’s my new trick–I can actually sleep at Avdi’s now.  Tuesday I not only took a long nap there (!?) but then slept through the night (once I finally got to sleep).  Then I go home and sleep some more!  But I make myself get up and keep living.  Coffee is my latest favorite drink.

Avdi and friend  got to go to a Cards baseball game!  They lost to the SD Padres, but the humongous hot dogs (piled with glop, STL-style, naturally) and local craft beers were memorable.  They have a whole ballpark village filled with international foods, drinks, and concessions.  If the Orioles come to town, it will be my turn!

Meanwhile, between sleeps, I got more gardening projects done or started.  I planted more salad and greens, created a little flower and herb garden for S, cleaned up E and Y’s small flower plots, reseeded E’s with shade herbs, planted more cilantro in the herb garden, and harvested okra and tomatoes.  I’m working on clearing an area by the perennial veggies (asparagus, horseradish, prickly pear) to eventually be a permanent strawberry bed.

S’s friend J has been coming by regularly after school, and is becoming part of our revolving extended family.  Even when S is out or ignoring him, he likes to get involved and be helpful.  Our resident chef E showed him how to help make brownies (which were delectable, as always).

Of course I continue to do a lot of housework and little projects behind the scenes.  I’m still not as proficient as Avdi would like at certain tasks, but often E can step in and take over.  I am getting better at mixology!  An essential survival skill.