A late blooming Amaryllis, summer Snapdragons, and Cosmos! Some cheery things to get Wednesday off to a good start.

So far today, I have not left any documents at home, and I have not ruined any clothes. In fact, I am wearing a pair of spiffy new navy chinos from J.Crew, that I bought on sale, along with a lovely sweater I made myself.

Despite the fact that I am on day 3 of Nutrisystem, I am not yet supermodel thin. Go figure. And yes, I did start the diet before I blew out the zipper on my skirt yesterday.

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Wednesday defended his five sons' decision not to enlist in the military, saying they're showing their support for the country by "helping me get elected."

Romney, who did not serve in Vietnam due to his Mormon missionary work and a high draft lottery number, was asked the question by an anti-war activist after a speech in which he called for "a surge of support" for U.S. forces in Iraq.

The woman who asked the question, Rachel Griffiths, 41, of Milan, Ill., identified herself as a member of Quad City Progressive Action for the Common Good, as well as the sister of an Army major who had served in Iraq.

"Of course not," Griffiths said when asked if she was satisfied with Romney's answer. "He told me the way his son shows support for our military and our nation is to buy a Winnebago and ride across Iowa and help him get elected."

I'd note what an idiotic comment this was, but this is the same guy who used to strap the family pet to the roof of the car (in a carrier) when the family went on cross-country vacations . . .