Maria and I stayed up half the night playing chess. Four games. She is a newbie, but much more competitive than I might have guessed, and willful. She will not concede, even when it’s hopeless. I love playing chess, and have missed it, and what a gift to have a spouse who loves it. We seem to find each day that we have more and more in common. We will bring a chess set and board on the book tour.

Lulu misses Maria when she is off to work, which she is on Sundays. She settles for me, though if I have a carrot. I’m going to a family farmer’s annual lunch reunion today. Hope to report back with good photos.