We found out today that our pediatrician is retiring in July. He's been the only doctor the girls have ever known (other than the parade of specialists who have been invoked at random intervals). He's been practicing for 40 years and it's time to move to Florida. He's been straightforward and supportive for the past 15 and a half years and we'll miss him desperately.

Roxy barked today for the first time (this sounds like one of those gaggingly sugary entries from a new parent). She has an astoundingly deep voice for a medium sized dog. Seeing the black tongue is still disconcerting.

I finally saw a gas price posted on a sign that was more than $2/gallon. I'm sure this is a common sight in some other states, but although prices here have been flirting with the $2 number, they have never quite committed to a long term relationship. Remember when gas raced past the magic $1/gallon? Where is the outrage this time? The dire predictions of global economic collapse? The lines at the gas station??

Why isn't there a mouse attached to my TV that allows me to click on a particular actor and see who it is? Or point to the background and learn something about the production design? Or right-click and be able to see who's singing the song that's playing? Where is the delivery on the promise of all this technology we have?

I was in a car last week that had the On Star system and decided that I want it not only in my car, but in my house as well. I figure that they can help me find my car keys, give me directions to the friend's house I need to pick up one of the kids from, and maybe even feed the cats. Of course, what I really want is Star Trek-type technology - the ubiquitous computer, the holodeck, the medical advances. I'll settle for figuring out which of the damn windows is open so that the security system won't work.