It was just over FOURTEEN YEARS ago when I nervously walked into my freshman year dorm room and met Eileen, my roommate. I’d never met anyone from New England before – much less from Boston – so the Dunne family were a little overwhelming! Eileen and I got along great, dorm room fires notwithstanding. We had Biology together, which was super useful because I never would’ve passed without her helping me on those damn lab reports. I just didn’t understand how she could like it so much. But Eileen was sure from Day One that she was going to be a biology major, and I really admired that she knew what she wanted to do. She has stuck to that ever since. The last six years of grad school have been tough, and I knew there were times when she wanted to throw in the towel. She stuck it out though, and as of yesterday my very own Roomater has earned her PhD! Congratulations, Dr. Dunne! And the best thing is, she flies out here in one week so I can toast her in person.

The broad beans have sprouted! Everything looks to be relishing the warmer weather and sunshine. Coffee grounds seem to be doing a good job of repelling the slugs.