I just finished reading a wonder of a book - The Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore. Mz. Moore is whip-smart, quirky, hilarious and I highly recommend reading it if you are into such things and if you're not, by God, you should be. Also, one of my oldest and dearest friends mailed a book to me - AVA by Carol Maso. Thankyouverymuchmiggilito!!! I'm going to read parts of it out loud tonight while perched upon a branch overlooking the river. Pirates might just shake their prune bags my way. And I'll be ready.