The birds are twittering, the dog is snoring and the cat is making z's. It has been so lovely and cool first thing in the morning for a couple of hours, but it's 8 a.m. now and I can feel the heat of the day cranking up.

I'll go to church (OPAC as Sue would say) and then come home and occupy a shady spot under the big fruitless mulberry tree. This tree is very generous--it allows my house to perch underneath its outflung branches and only occasionally leans a little heavily on the roof.

This fall will be its appointment with the hair dresser and manicurist, who will trim back the excess branches and twigs and rake up all the leaves. But for now its luxuriant foliage is a delight to cats, possums, squirrels and the occasional raccoon (I think she's about to become a mother).

May every one sit under her vine and under her fig tree (or her mulberry) and none make her afraid. Beat those swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks and vacuum cleaners into air conditioners....

I think I need a cup of coffee.