Here in the "Golden Years" of my wasted life I find much to do. I am always being hounded by the volunteer organizations to do this and that, and of late I have made excuses to not fall for it. Instead, I have finally begun the family cookbook and am trying to paint as much as I can.

I started the cookbook, mostly old family recipes, about two years ago and then dropped it. I will assemble it from many recipes sent and handed to me by members of our far-flung family, most of them descendants of my maternal Grandmother, Rosa Comer, who passed away at 93 back in 1977. The book is dedicated to her. She was an old-time damned great cook.

It is difficult to get input from many relatives. I either can't contact them because I don't have an email address, or they have dropped off the planet.

The heavy contributors are myself, my sister, one uncle (Paul) who gave me many of Grandma's "secret" recipes, and a few cousins. Even my first wife contributed. (Carol's Angel Pie!)

In the 95F degree studio I have five canvases going. They range in subject, style and degree of completion. Soon as I get the check for a painting recently sold down in Columbus, I am snatching up another window A/C for that small room.

The A/C in my bedroom is now "ON" for the summer. I never turn it off from the end of June through the first week of September, but I do turn it down during the daytime. At night I turn it on FULL.

The A/C removes the muggy air first, and before it cools down in the room it dries it out. I need that.

I could never reside in a 24/7/365 humid climate. I have had my share of that in my life.

I so long for the California that I voluntarily left behind. Humidity? Hardly ever.

The six cats are not enjoying the heat. I have 2 floor fans on all of the time. Quincy Babyface Hollywood Jackrabbit Adams is the busiest "play" kitty I have ever had. He really has moved-in.

Hobbes says, "HI."