My sister who summers in Vermont is visiting with our sister who lives in Connecticut. The older brought her daughter and granddaughter along, for a festive, gal weekend of antique shopping and other activities.

Last night (their time), they rang me, loosened up by after-dinner wine. I am pretty quick with humorous barbs that their comradery and inebriation magnify to states of roaring pandemonium. Honestly, once the laughter starts, anything I say is suddenly comedy club hilarious. “The world is flat!” Explosive laughter. “The cat puked on the rug!” Even loader laughter.