August 31, 2003,
I was interviewed by the Arizona Republic yesterday for a small feature they are doing in the Scottsdale zone paper. We also were scheduled to get a big feature on Vera McGinnis for today but it got pushed back a week because of the gas line coverage several weeks back.

Did some very nice art yesterday. This is my idea of a weekend getaway: sleep in, do art, read, stay home. Kathy and I woke up commiserating on how reclusive we are becoming. Both of us have very “public” jobs and the idea of going out and mingling on the weekends lost its charm about two decades ago (I actually can’t stand bars anymore).

Thomas leaves tomorrow for Spain. He’s excited. He’ll be gone for a year. Gonna miss the lad, but both kids are global and that should be an advantage in this century. As for me, I didn’t fly until I was 36, didn’t go out of the country (not counting Canal Street in Nogales, Mexico) until I was 38, and still haven’t made it to Yellowstone or Custer’s battlefield. Now that’s embarrassing.

Having Wonderful Russ and Wendy over for dinner today. Actually cleaning pool and yard. My dad would be appalled, because we live like Okies, but I don’t care. One man’s junk is another man’s junkyard. And it’s all junk I love, so sue me.

Speaking of which, I had Brad from Elrod Fence come over on Friday to give us an estimate for fencing in the north side of house to encompass the chicken house and garage. Basically a big dog run. Estimate came in at $1,300. We’ve been arguing this all weekend, whether we should spend the money or let the dogs run free. I’m leaning towards killing the dogs.

Not really. However, sawing off their front legs might be a decent alternative.

“One drop of hatred in your soul will spread and discolor everything like a drop of black ink in white milk.”
—Alice Munro