And happy long weekend, to those of us getting a mini-vacation from work in the middle of the summer!

I'm sliding out early today, in about an hour or so. I need to make my escape before I get cajoled into doing phone coverage again. The (part-time) receptionist wants to leave early (again) because it's a holiday weekend (again) and she and another person have already asked me, oh-so casually, what time I'm planning to leave. And I'm thinking--I have a distinct memory of her 'undying gratitude' when I stayed until 5:00 on Memorial Day weekend, and an equally distinct memory of how fervently she swore she wouldn't ask again for the rest of the summer.

That's the problem with gratitude. It only lasts until the next time something someone wants is more important to them than the thing they got a month ago.

That's a bit convoluted, but I know what I mean.

Anyhow.

Have a great 4th of July, whether you're celebrating Independence or not!