The Queen paid a call yesterday. She has been working long hours on an instructional design work project but I had a 16 point list written up for her which took her a couple hours to whirl through.

1. Set up new lightweight phone system.
2. Put away non-perishable grocery items.
3. Open jars and boxes at least partially.
4. Organize and label items in refrigerator and freezer.
5. Empty vacuum bin. (Tabitha didn't.)
6. Vacuum garage carpet.
7. Put heavy cookware in back room and make room for plastic cookware.
8. Pull out Dan's dead azalea bush and dead head spent tree peony blossoms.
9. Open quart V-Fusion and transfer to manageable pint bottles.
10. Open Tide box.
11. Hang up 10 drip dry items from washer.
12. Transfer clear ammonia to two spray bottles.
13. Try to snake the bathroom sink drain.
14. Cook ground chuck and make a gallon of chili. Freeze in 2 cup containers.
15. Cook and refrigerate maple sausage links.
16. Take documents to license bureau and get stickers.

Life in the dowager cottage always improves when the Queen pays a call.