Valerie Mangion         

Monday, July 9, 2007 I worked my ass off in the punishing heat and humidity all week, knowing I’d get to take Sunday off to go to Devil’s Lake. That was the hottest day. I think it hit 99 degrees here yesterday. It was very windy. We had our own version of the Santa Ana winds. I’ve never felt such a strong, hot wind before. I kind of liked it. Michelle at Shadyside Kennel agreed to take Caramel and Boomer for the day. She has central air in the kennels so we figured Caramel w

Saturday, December 8, 2012 Cats degraded my quality of sleep all night. In the morning, though, I finally dreamed. I dreamed that my old boss, Jim R, was alive, and desperate. He’d committed a crime, or crimes, and wanted me to harbor him. Ellis wasn’t home. I tried to keep Jim out but he put his fist through the screen door and forced his way in. We looked at each other. I just didn’t know if he was harmful or not. “Jim,” I said, looking searchingly into his eyes, “it would