difficulties and grace

My laptop is doing a seizing-and-freezing thang that makes me want to drop kick it to Smyrna, so I'm schlepping it to the shop as soon as I'm done with various other chores.

This means it'll likely take me even longer than usual to answer emails and comments (and I'm all too aware some of you have already been waiting quite a while). Some of you won't notice any difference, but I know others of you will fret. Don't. I'll [______/be back in touch/write a proper letter/send you the critique/etc.] when I can.

Technical woes (and tiredness, and a slashed thumb from a slippery bird) aside, I'm doing okay. I've been cooking a fair bit (baked custards, roast chicken, seaweed soup...), I made it to kabbalat shabbat last night, and the honeysuckle in my front yard has become so fragrant it's almost overpowering: these days, when I arrive home, I am drenched in scent as soon as I step out of my car. Lord, I do fear / Thou'st made the world too beautiful this year...