HFM

Hello, everyone! As the newest member of the Mars household, I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I'm Joan The Mouse: I'm living in the upstairs bedroom, and I have to say that I'm very pleased with the accommodations. The room is spacious and warm, and the furry thing with the teeth who also lives here leaves behind plenty of crumbs for me to eat. The two fur-less ones that live here have been cleaning up the crumbs far too thoroughly and far too often, in my opinion, but I'm sure they can't possibly get all of them every single day, so I'm sure I will be fine. I plan to stay forever. It's certainly a fun place to live. I miss my mouse friends -- the tall fur-less one has figured out how we were getting in (again) and blocked up the holes (again) -- but this week, there was some sort of occasion, and two other fur-less ones came over and spent the day cooking and laughing. The ones who live here put together a festive centerpiece of flower...

Not much excitement to show lately -- it's been rainy and chilly, so we're spending our weekends doing some tidying up & decluttering inside the house -- but I thought some of you might be interested in this: My dad wanted me to have one of his guitars. It arrived safely last week, and last night I put a wall mount up in my office (I don't like the word "office" for this room, but I haven't come up with a better one. "Den" isn't right, either. Any ideas?). Looks pretty good there, next to a framed series of Lowell postcards that belonged to Jack. Now I just have to re-learn how to play it!

Back on Mars this week, just in time for two important events: Pickles' annual Halloween portrait, and the celebration of Todos Santos. At Amanda's suggestion, Pickles decided to be a justice this year. While taking the portrait, however, she discovered that she wasn't really into the wig: She received many treats as compensation for her dissatisfaction, however, & finally agreed to sit still for fifteen seconds, Presenting the Honorable Zo E. Pickles, Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Critter Justice, California District: Happy Halloween! The next day, we set up our altar for Todos Santos (Day of the Dead), where we remember and honor loved ones who have passed away: