We did something Friday night that we don't do enough. We invited friends for a family-style supper. Nothing fancy. We gathered around the bar and lit into barbecued country ribs, baked beans and potato salad. Maurice and Glenda brought their son, Seth, a first-year law student, and his girlfriend from Baltimore.

Lucy was our entertainment. Geez, what a flirt! She played with Seth for a few minutes, then crawled up his arm to settle on his shoulder. She fluffed, she stretched to show her beautiful wings, she preened, she preened Seth's hair, reached around to kiss his lips, repeatedly, and carried on like a common harlot.

Seth talked about it the next day. His girlfriend was a tiny bit jealous.