Our Previa expired today, apparently. Or rather, it expired last Thursday when Lincoln drove it to RFK Stadium to watch the Nationals play. It wouldn't turn over for him, nor for the tow truck driver on Friday a.m., nor for the mechanics at Satellite Motors. Alack and alas.

Trying to see a silver lining. No longer have to put gas in it, for one, or insure it. Or repair it. Still, it was a wonderful car for many years.

As I stumbled down the front steps at 3 a.m. today, Sherlock and Izzie straining ahead of me, the heat and humidity, even at that hour, were like a physical affront. The dogs had eaten 4-5 bananas between them, and we were both suffering the consequences. I was aware of my own grouchiness, and also of their irrepressible dogginess. They will always take advantage of a chance to eat any human food they can get their teeth into. They will never stop, look at each other, and think, Nah, remember when we ate those bananas?