AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 6, 2005 — Somehow it happened that we were supposed to be sociable today. I'd suggested we get a couple of friends to go to an art show and lunch. FFP invited some people over for the Super Bowl so I invited Dad, too.

I should have gotten up early, gone for a workout. But kept going for the bed. Then I wanted to just relax around the house, getting ready in a leisurely fashion, having some breakfast, drinking coffee.

And that's what I did. The art show was kind of strange, taking place in a church right after their services. We all enjoyed looking at the watercolors and oils, however, and speaking briefly to the artist. Then we went to Houston's for lunch. I had the mushroom soup and the sashimi tuna salad. I didn't feel very sociable. I listened to our friends talk about art. I said something here and there.

We'd invited the gals to stay over for Super Bowl but they declined. I spent the time sorting through my New York clippings and maps, catching up on how The Gates were going, doing this and that. Just when I'd decided to sit down and read the Sunday paper, Dad came over. We sat in our little sitting area of the bedroom watching a stupid movie on cable and reading.

I didn't worry too much about company. Put a few beers in the frig. We gotten some guacamole and I got some beers from the wine cellar. We'd gotten some salmon to cook. Our friends came over about kick off time with a bottle of wine and blanched Brussels sprouts, baby carrots and zucchini and little tomatoes. I made a green salad with tomatoes and bagged mixed greens, put out some olives and cheese. I'd already put out some salty Oriental snacks, almonds, cheese slices and crackers, the prepared guac and chips. FFP sauteed some salmon in olive oil and lemon juice and capers. Everyone ate and drank. We opened our friend's wine. We watched the Super Bowl and tried to be sociable. The woman guest doesn't understand football. So she asks a lot of questions which are amusing. We aren't really for one team or the other but we all offer advice to the teams. The minute it is over, Dad leaves...he doesn't like to stay out too late. And our friends have left her mother with a sitter since she has a little dementia so they bustle off.

FFP and I retire to our corners. I end up finishing up the Sunday papers and watching crime shows. (Give these up!) Finally we go to sleep.