I was in the delivery room for the birth of Emma! What a thrill!

She took her time getting here -- she was 10 days late -- but she's here, alert, alive, and a love!

We missed her so much once we had to come home that we adopted a kitten to shower with our unused affection. Phoebe is 7 months old, a white kitten with caramel markings, a ringed tail, and golden eyes. She's very affectionate with people, but she and Amos are taking a little time to get acquainted.

He was a little jealous at first, a little anxious about his position. He seems reassured that we still love him best.

It's such a metaphor. She lies back and waves her tail at him, but when he comes too close, she swats him. He keeps coming back for more, though he's learned to be a little wary. When he's ignoring her, she follows him around as if he were her big brother, the most interesting person in the world. When he wants to play, he runs away from her, expecting her to run after him. She stares. When she wants to play, she pounces at him. He jumps.

They have different signals. Sound familiar?

It's cooler today and cloudy. We've had a lot of rain, and it's been steamy. I wonder what it's like where you are?

Happy Fourth of July to all Patriots, of whatever stripe!