It was a chance for the girls to play with their pals one more time, though I'm sure we'll have a few smaller playdates throughout the summer.

When we pulled in, an apparent grandmother noticed my Straub beer bumper sticker and asked if it was German, in a cute German accent. I told her it was close, as the city it was made in (the largest in Pennsylvania) was mostly settled by Bavarian immigrants, and they make a good beer, though with too much corn for my tastes.

I chatted with a few moms and dads while watching the kids, hiking through tame woods, and getting rained on. A mellow end to the school year, and compared to last year, I was feeling much more lively and chipper, the meds are working.

In the book world, I just finished two more. At an atypical Catholic church sale last weekend (atypical because they had lots of good stuff, including a few shoeboxes of Lego for $3 each, and some empty WWII artillery shells) I picked up a copy of the mildly anti-Catholic Left Behind.

I had been curious about the book, having heard lots about it and seeing it was a megamillion bestseller, but never curious to pay full price for it. For a quarter, I'd take a chance. It is an easy book to read, and quite a page turner, chock full of conspiracy. The characterization and writing is not that great though, and I doubt I'll pursue the series.

At a thrift store last week I bought a copy of American Samurai, probably my second, I know I've read it before. It was an interesting read, though I kept hoping to find names of people I've met. If anyone wants it, let me know, I'll charge far less than the $75 amazon is asking for it.

The rodent plague continues. Wednesday I found dead rat six, yesterday dead rat seven, and dead squirrel one. I've cemented holes with abandon, and nothing more is eating my poison. We may yet be able to have birthday parties.