It's been quiet(er) around the house since Otty returned from a long weekend in Montreal (tres bien!) and New York City. Back at the ranch Barnum spent many hours peering out at the squirrels as they fearlessly snacked on just-beginning-to-ripen cherry tomatoes in the back yard. It's moments like these when Barnum wishes he had a voice - surely he could convince the squirrels to go easy on the vegetables. Sigh. At least the handsome new roof is keeping everyone dry.

Otty keeps talking about the muffin lady he spotted on the side of a semi truck during the drive through the Adirondacks en route (rock star style, With The Band!) to New York. And Barnum keeps rolling his owly eyes. Otty wonders if she's on Facebook. And how many friends she has.