Vacuuming for the Solstice

Steve and I put up the ceramic tree last night -- this year's color scheme is orange-and-yellow lights, which makes for an unexpectedly subtle Sun Tree. I'll be turning it on a few minutes.

Meantime, the college closed early, so I came home to chores while Steve went out into the world to accomplish yet more chores. When he comes home, I'm thinking a glass of wine and a evening made of relaxation.

In other news, I found the text of the letter Millard Fillmore had Commodore Perry carry to his imperial majesty, the emperor of Japan. It is, in its way, a wonder and a marvel.