The cold that had been stalking me for about two weeks finally pounced on Thursday night, though I seem to have lesser version of what's been going around. From one friend's Facebook: "My sinuses are so congested my teeth hurt."People are also complaining of sore throat, copious mucus and extreme weakness. Someone else said that theirs was hanging ( Read more... )

Mom: "Just got a robo call from Donald Trump JR!!!!!! Wants to invite us to an 'event in our area' where THE DONALD will be speaking on what it means to 'make American great again. What to wear.....what to wear....."

Me: "A brick in your purse?"

[update]

Mom: "Holy Cow! Now we've gotten a robocall from IVANKA!!!! Still trying to fill the slots ( Read more... )

One of the top fun local activities suggested to me by Mom (apart from some admittedly great places to eat) was driving to Bemus Point (21 minutes) to visit their candle shop. Candles. Wow. Jesus take the wheel.

At around 11PM-ish last Saturday I began composing a dreary three-paragraph Opus of Regret to much missed friends regarding homecoming weekend. Exchanging Facebook fuzzies had strengthened our ties and the pull was strong this year. Mom had also unleashed her guilt-fu regarding my failure to visit my new niece and cousin. OK. Ya got me.  To lessen ( Read more... )

I’ve decided that it’s a good idea put in at least two days at the office even on a holiday week. Spent Monday at home tweaking about the upheaval and not getting much done. On Tuesday I compared notes with the AP and Payroll managers on the recent departmental upheaval. They think that the new subdivisions are odd. I agree, but I think the pointy ( Read more... )

Dispatch from Mom from the wilds of Florida:

"Residents remained behind locked doors today as two gopher tortoises squared off on San Marco Drive. The fight dragged on for part of Sunday afternoon until finally the resident tortoise flipped the newcomer who then wet himself.  The vanquished then ran away at top speed with the victor in hot ( Read more... )

Dispatch from Mom in the wilds of Florida:

"Forgot to tell you about fish fry at Dad's and Doe's Sunday.  Jimmy brought perch (and venison) from Buffalo and caught some good sized trout from our dock Saturday just before dark.  He'd be cooking for all of us, Billy and friends of ours.  Left the trout in a bucket on the deck for about 15 minutes ( Read more... )

"Flew down here yesterday and surprised to have a computer in the room.  Staying 3 more nights.  Hanoi was really worth seeing, but had to breathe and taste leaded gas all the time we were outside.  Stayed there 2 nights, then one on the junk, then back there for a night.  Loved the cruise.  Whole place looked like Avatar scenery.

Went kayaking ( Read more... )

Mom is heading out for vacation.  No cruise ship conga line for her; she's headed to 'Nam:

Sept 2: 10 PM Golden Land Hotel, Hanoi, Vietman
Sept 3:  Unguided tour of Hanoi.  2nd night Golden Land
Sept 4: 1 night Halong Bay Junk: Red Dragon
Sept 5: back to Golden Land Hotel for 3rd night
Sept 6: Fly to Hue, Vietnam 1st night Orchid Hotel (near ( Read more... )

A teacher remarked to her 3rd graders, "Human beings are the only animals that stutter."

A little girl raised her hand. "I had a kitty-cat who stuttered."

The teacher, knowing how precious these stories could become, asked the girl to continue.

'Well', she began, 'I was in the back yard with my kitty and the Rottweiler next door got ( Read more... )