No, I didn't give in to lawn peer pressure. For three reasons:

first, it was after 4:30 when I finally got home - only an hour until sunset

second, my shoulder (it's actually the collarbone region on the left side, which worries me that sometime in the past when I fell (it's happened), or lifted something that was actually too heavy for me, or had someone who was walking and texting run into me, I sustained a stress fracture that I didn't know about and that healed improperly). It's a bit less painful this morning - I slept carefully, on my right side with the left arm folded across my chest, which is actually the most comfortable position for it. (If it gets worse, I may invest in a sling to wear during the times I'm not actively using it)

and third, and most importantly: during the day there was enough of a breeze that enough new leaves fell from my neighbor's pecan tree that his yard no longer looks so pristine. So I'm thinking my decision of "wait until most of the leaves have fallen" is the sensible one.

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For people with cats: be forewarned, apparently cats can catch the H1N1 virus. They had someone on the radio talking about it this morning, apparently a cat in Iowa came down with it. (And I have to admit I kind of love the perspective of the veterinarian on the radio: "If your child is sick with H1N1, please do not let your cat sleep with the child because the cat might get sick too." For once, it's not the OH NOES BUBBLEWRAP YOUR CHILD attitude, but a recognition that other beings are also at risk).

And not so happy news: there was a claim made on the tv news this morning that "overweight and obese" people ("Now 2/3 of the American populace!" as the newscaster said, much too chirpily) are allegedly at greater risk of complications.

If I were a betting woman, I'd set up a pool on how soon before some late-night comedian (or other) makes the ugly and unfortunate "swine flu" connection. Because you KNOW it is coming.

We are being told on my campus "Maybe January" for H1N1 vaccine for non-high-risk groups, and (luckily for me) it will probably be the injected form (I cannot take the spray mist b/c of my low-grade asthma).

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I worked a bit more on the Clapotis last night. That is good for knitting on when you are tired and frustrated and are afraid that anything with shaping or cables might come to grief. I didn't get very far - I didn't even stay up to watch the new "Mythbusters" - but at least I got a little bit done on it.

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Most of my Christmas shopping is pretty well in hand (I order most things from catalogs these days) but I am still drawing a blank on what to do for my sister in law. Not sure whether to buy a book on the off chance it's one she doesn't have, or get a game that she would enjoy and she and my brother could play together, or just go the easy and sure (but less fun) route and arrange for her to get downloads of stuff she wants to her Kindle.

I also have to figure out something for my aunts and uncles and the grown cousins who will be visiting them. In the past, I rotated between Aplets and Cotlets, pecan stuff from Stahmann's Pecans, and Stash Tea. I did Stash last year. But it turns out that one of my grown cousins - who will probably be at her parents' for Christmas - has developed a peanut and tree-nut allergy. So those other two things (Well, unless I send special a box of the nutless Aplets) are out. And I'd really like to do something different. I generally send food because (a) it can be shared however many people are there and (b) you don't have to store it forever and ever. I'm trying to think of some alternatives - either different foods, of something else that might work. (I don't know if either of the families do Netflix or are even big movie-watchers, so I don't know how a gift card to there would work.)

I saw, in one of the many catalogs I have received, a puzzle that is specially made from a topographic map, and supposedly shows the house (or at least where the house would be) of the person you are sending it to. I kind of think that's a neat idea but then again it sort of violates my "I don't want them to have to store anything new" policy.

I wonder if there's anywhere that has really nice dried pasta and pre-made sauces that could send them. (Another factor, not a big complication as I'd be unlikely to send Omaha Steaks or anything but they are vegetarians. Not vegans, and probably wouldn't object to soup made with chicken stock, but they don't eat animal flesh. Well, except fish, but where they live, they can get better fish than I could send to them...)