(Yes, I'm a Rod Stewart fan. At least, I was for his early stuff, aka A Night on the Town. Not so much anymore.)

Okay, so the kids are gone. Music Man assures me that since he is working on a big project, he'll be ensconced in a workshop until the wee hours of the morning.

I'm going to get my page quota done early in the day, meet a couple of former co-workers for a few cold ones in the early evening…and then I'm breaking open The Laughter of Dead Kings (which I received an ARC of thanks to Katiebabs, who, at this moment, remains my BFF).

I'm filled with a combination of trepidation and anticipation. I can't wait to revisit Vicky and John and Schmidt (and, apparently, Feisal), et al.

I just hope it's good. I'll report tomorrow.

In other news…I'm at war with the Japanese beetles who insist on eating my raspberry bushes and copulating like little, rabid bunnies. Every time I walk by, there are at least ten pairs of them humping each other. I've even seen a few menages.

*snicker* My friend Colette might appreciate such activity, but not me.

B*stards.

Can someone please tell me what purpose Japanese beetles have in the grand scheme of things? 'Cause I can't figure it out.

Any entomologists in the house?