The Dissipation

Last night I got to meet a favorite researcher. He was in town to give a talk and honored adviser invited me to hang out with her posse during the evening hours. I always find these meetings a little nerve wracking. I want to like my favorite researchers and sometimes they turn out to have annoying flaws and oddities. Happily, this guy was smart as expected as well as high on the funniness and personabilty scales. I was delighted with this fun encounter. Sadly, today I'm trying to wrestle down chapter 12. I'm irked with Chapter 12 because it has caused my buzzy good mood from last night to dissipate almost completely. Damn you, chapter 12. Damn you to hell.

The Slap

I'm in a weird mood mix of excitement about working and feeling pitiful because I'm working. I am happy for my pals who are white water rafting or hiking in the woods setting up screech owl boxes, but I'm going to be forthright, I'm experiencing some envy as well. Honored Adviser and I did head out to view Maltese Falcon last night where I was inspired by Bogart's line, "When you're slapped, you'll take it and you'll like it." Thanks for my new mantra, Humphrey B.

The Suns

I'm about 1/4 of the way thru A Thousand Splendid Suns. V. good indeed.

The Care

#1 Son was specific about the care package we should send him while he's at camp. Most importantly, it must contain chocolate chip cookies, actually baked at our home. I thought that was excessive, but he countered with, "It was okay that you were the only parent that didn't send a care package last year. I was only there a week afterall. But now with a 2 week stay I think you really need to pick up the pace." That stung a little, but I've let the pain go and now we're on top of things. Teendaughter says she can bake tonight. And I've sent 6 post cards already, with pithy, clever comments.
p.s. Happy Anniversary to me and husbandman. 20 years today.

The Attempt

I'm not working productively at all today. Whenever I finish some small task, it takes forever to get going again. I'm not sure why. Maybe blogging will kick me into chapter 11.

I did not take this nuthatch foto, but I saw real nuthatches this morning.

The Oddities

My beloved parents have an odd habit of not telling me when someone in the family is hospitalized or even deceased. Sometimes I find out months later that one of the ancestors has died or had a leg amputated or has been hooked up to an iron lung for the past six months. It's taken awhile, but the sibs and I finally have figured out how to deal with this family quirk. We no longer assume honored parents will forthcome with family news and we call eachother when we think news needs to be shared. When SisterWomantheYounger left a voice mail yesterday, I knew calamity was in the air. I called Father of the Year and after some wrangling he reluctantly disclosed, "Well we didn't want you to know this, but your mom's in the hospital." I call the hospital to talk to Mom and she begins our call with, "Now why on earth were you told about this?" Does anyone else think this is odd? Because I do. But Mom's coming home today and she's feeling fine, so all is well. And every family has their quirks I suppose. Thanks for the phone call, Faitho. We can beat these peeps at their own game.
Foto credit: Goodpal Menosky

The Plan

I finished section one of the three sectioned penultimate chapter this week. That required some celebrating at Bear's Place. Today it's back to grindstone land. I did take one short break last week to see the Girl Scouting in Our County exhibit at the history museum.

The Teeth

Teen Daughter is having her wisdom teeth removed today. I'll keep you posted.

The Heat

The borrowed office is working out well. Hot as blazes in there, but some pages have been written. Plus, there are fine restaurants and coffee shops right nearby. These professors have a good gig I tell you. If I had a fine office, I would be the most prolific writer in town. As it is, I'm on page 3 of chapter 10, so life is good. Even with regular email breaks, I got something done. I marvel at myself, I tell you, I really do.

The Fawn

This is our new pet. Don't worry, we're going to let him free as soon as we teach him how to fend for himself in the wild.

Foto credit: Sisterwoman

The Namesake

We saw this fine film last night. The characters are likeable and believable. The story is moving and sad and sweet. Great shots of India too. Teendaughter read the book last summer so she could fill us in on some plot queries. I think you will like it.