Percy, by Mary Oliver

Your friend is coming I say
to Percy, and name a name

and he turns to the door, his
wide mouth in its laugh-shape,

and waves, since he has one, his tail.
Emerson, I am trying to live,

as you said we must, the examined life.
But there are days I wish

there was less in my head to examine,
not to speak of the busy heart. How

would it be to be Percy, I wonder, not
thinking, not weighing anything, just running forward.

Kids, it's been a hell of a week. Thanks to budget cuts, yesterday I had to tell a fine attorney that she was being laid off. It was miserable and bless her heart, she was gracious and understanding and I just wanted to weep on her behalf.

No running this week and I really need to especially as I opted to have cake, and only cake, for dinner Wednesday night. Sugar is comfort food for me and knowing that I was going to have to deliver such horrid news the next day I ate cake. I had two slices and it was good. I had to be at work early all week (thus no time to run) and I stayed late as we prepared for the reorganization that will result in 25 people losing their jobs. I am fortunate to still have mine, but who knows what will happen if more cuts are made? I can't fathom that. However, if I lose my job, there will be a lot more time for running. There will be a lot more cake eating, too.

Hurricane Ike has raised gas prices 60 cents in the span of two hours. I don't begin to understand the complexities of gasoline pricing, but that seems horribly wrong. I filled the truck up tonight and cringed. Yes, I know it's a big, gas-guzzling behemoth but I drive it as little as possible and only to haul the horse trailer. There will be hauling tomorrow morning as I need horse therapy in the worst way.

I hope your week, whoever you are, has been a good one and that if you've been mainlining cake, it's because you've been going to one celebration after the next.