Some observations and thoughts that have percolated around my crazy brain:

• Visits to the doctor are never fun, even when you are relatively healthy;

• I have deliberately restricted my book-buying since I have so many unread books I need to discipline myself more so I can catch up on reading all of them. Still this morning I took advantage of a Buy Two–Get One Free offer from the Science Fiction Book Club;

• Most summers I attach myself to the computer and spend nearly all my time writing, but this summer I’ve also gotten addicted to chatting with one of my closest friends online; somehow the writing doesn’t seem as important as friendship;

• A writer friend recently read my historical fantasy novella and liked it, suggesting that either I “tighten it” into a short story or expand it into a complete novel. I do not know if I can complicate the plot enough for a novel, but I might enjoy trying;

• I guess it is a sign of aging when my younger son not only got engaged but now has his own apartment which is more convenient to his job;

• When my car’s prepaid year of Sirius Satellite Radio expires I need to decide if I want to renew it or instead buy an Ipod and download whatever music I wish to hear. I guess cost will be the ultimate decider;

• I can count on one hand the number of friends who visit my house, which is why today’s 4th of July barbeque is a rare occurrence. Hopefully it will go well;

• I have so few friends on Facebook that activity is somewhere between minimal and nonexistent. Only one former student did not want me to be her friend there, although she has three other teacher friends instead.