clearing one's throat; cough
after an interval of ... years; for the first time in ... years
not writing or contacting for a while; neglecting (failing) to write (call, visit, etc.); long silence
a long time (since the last time); first in a long time
improvement (e.g. in skill, ability); advance; progress; communication of opinions of the general populace to those of high rank
difficult to hear; unpleasant to hear
slack; loose; lax; slovenly; sloppy
wild; growing wild; living in the wild; (arch.) I