I'll be Denny Crane

My friend Laura has a new office downtown and it has a balcony with a spectacular view of downtown and the mountains. What a great place to relax.

We're planning to spend some evenings out there like William Shatner and James Spader did at the end of every episode of "Boston Legal." I get to be Denny Crane (the Shatner character) because I'm older and fatter and I'm a Boston Red Sox fan.

I've been reconnecting with friends lately, and Laura is one I haven't seen in awhile. I sort of retreated into my own space after Mike died.

I hung out with my friend Peggy last night. She's the one who did the most to hold me together while Mike was dying and afterwards -- she and the other members of the Piecemakers, also known as Stitch 'n' Bitch.

I haven't been out to Peggy's farm in forever, and it's such a beautiful sanctuary. They have a few head of cattle, and the bull, Ferdie, is one of my favorite animals. I love the way he lowers his massive head for a scratch behind the ears, and he gratefully accepts a kiss between the eyes. He was hand-raised, so he's used to people and enjoys their company -- much like Peggy and Michael.

Peggy is one of those wise Southern women who knows how to listen and when to hug and when it's appropriate to cuss and carry on.

I was feeling angst-ridden when we met and much less so when we parted.

Girlfriends are really, really important.