I "inherited" two rather tall table lamps when my mother-in-law passed.

One of them, in the living room, got knocked over by a cat several years ago and the shade sort of fell apart from old age. The other has sat on the low table next to me in the den.

A few days ago the fluorescent bulb bit the dust. I didn't have anything but 60w around, so I put the three-way bulb (that had been there before the fluorescent) back in. Worked fine. I got a 150w fluorescent, but its base must not have been quite right--it didn't work. Back to the 3-way. Then I got a 100w, but it also didn't work. Neither did the 3-way when I put it back once again.

I decided that it was time to get a new lamp. I'll freecycle the old ones. They're rather nice, probably cost a bunch, and with new shades and maybe repacement sockets they should be fine for someone willing to do the work.

So this afternoon when I was in WalMart I checked out their lamps. I saw a couple of possibilities, but first I need to measure how high the bulb is on the one that sits by me.

When it comes right down to it, I don't really need that lamp by me, but it's much easier to turn off than the other lights in the den. And that's where I sleep.

Before I headed out to WalMart I got some more weeding done. This time I managed to keep from totally shredding my wrists, partly because I wasn't getting tangled up in as many dewberries and blackberries, but also because I wore a long-sleeved shirt.

Emma was around the house most of the day. She followed me out to the pool when I was dumping weeds. She went down the steps and got herself a drink. Lady was also there and there were a couple of hisses, but nothing else. My neighbor came over (literally--there's a fence between us) and also petted Emma.

Later in the afternoon I went out for some grocery-type stuff and when I got back I was greeted by Lady and Emma. Lady fluffed her tail at Emma and called her a couple of names, but that was the extent of it. I fed Lady and CC and then put out some food for Emma. Lady trotted over and I put some dry food down for her also. The raccoons should have a feast tonight on uneaten cat food.

And tomorrow it's back to work.