Things have been happening at the speed of life. I'm in strathmere sitting in the downstairs livingroom of the McCormac's at 8:30 int the morning. Dad just left for the gym while Mom is still sleeping. That's amazing, and I'm grateful for that small piece of independence for her. Rosie is out walking the dog.

Dad and I talked about business only a little this morning, but enough that I feel discouraged and worthless. The road out seems so long and hard.

Part of my discouragement might be the shape my body is in lately. Serious back pain almost all the time (I've taken to bumming darvasets from dad like they were cigarettes); another boil or pustule or whatever on my leg.