One of the greatest things about living with the Howard’s was their availability.  I can’t recall all the occasions when Rod would just invite me to come along with him for some coffee, or to a Berkeley Chamber event, or to have a glass of wine together, or to go for a jog together.  But this, and more, became standard stuff of my life there.  When Laura and the kids were out of town, Rod would come down and we’d eat ice-cream together and chat, or watch a movie, or whatever.  We used to play basketball on Thursday nights with Rod, Laura, and usually two of their kids.  I think the best way to characterize it is to say that the Howard’s were generous, not just with their things but with their time, with their very selves.  I could stop in to Rod’s office daily and almost never be told that I needed to leave because he was “too busy.”  I just think about the food I love, the coffee houses I enjoy, the people I know in Berkeley, and I come to the realization that most of it is because of the Howards being in my life. 

     By the way, I finished reading "Mao II," by Don Delillo; DON'T recommend it.  A pretentious, overblown metaphysical tract.  Not very interesting.  I might try one more of his novels, but his reputation as a great writer definitely did not hit home with me.