Girl Scout cookies:

It does sound like one of the more interesting jury selections:

In a selection process that began last week, many prospective jurors were eliminated because of what Judge Lynch called "significant negative stereotypes" about rap music. Prosecutors and defense lawyers agreed to eliminate one juror who said on a pretrial questionnaire that "a lot of them seem to shoot each other." Another juror who was removed from the pool said that drugs and crime seemed "to be part of their culture."

A number of possible jurors objected to the raunchy lyrics and scant clothing of Ms. Jones, who is described as the Mae West of rap music on her main fan Web site. One juror complained that she "spends a lot of money on diamonds," and seemed "like she would do almost anything for money." The juror was dismissed.

Judge Lynch declined to eliminate several jurors who he said had disliked Ms. Jones's "fashion sense," but they were struck from the pool by government and defense lawyers.

And actually, I'm kind of impressed that they seem to have gone to a lot of trouble to get a fair jury.

I am in need of recommendations for easy-to-prepare vegetable dishes that are on the bland side, or, at the bare minimum, low acidity.

I haven't been eating enough (or any) veggies for the past couple of weeks, because my stomach -- and my *tongue* -- are reacting very badly to any acidic food, from citrus to tomato to battery acid.

Potatoes, which I adore, are the blandest of the bland, but then, they're really less of a "veggie" and more of a starch.

Any suggestions? Please? I fear scurvy or pellegra are imminent.

Cashmere, if you're about, how is your mom's recovery coming along? Did you take Owen to see her over the weekend?

I'm off for a while. Scott is working from home today, and apparently has to use the computer for actual work.

Teppy, were you on an antibiotic recently? Even if not, is there any chance you could have thrush or something, that's making your tongue sensitive.

*flashes back to complete stranger in ER who showed me her tongue*

*faints*

Sweet potatoes? I think of them as being less starch and more veg than regular potatoes. Maybe some squash-type stuff, pumpkin soup and the like?

Roughly chop a bunch of kale. Toss with salt, pepper, and garlic. Steam 5-7 minutes, or until just wilted. (This also works great with chard.)

You can also pan-roast just about anything -- carrots, peppers, eggplant, asparagus, squash, whatever. Just drizzle with olive oil, salt & pepper, and bake at 350-ish for 30 minutse or until golden brown and delicious.

I found a good (and good for you) recipe for colcanon the other day - which is basically mashed potatoes with cabbage in them. If cabbage is okay with you, I can post the recipe.

Cauliflower is pretty bland, if you don't hate it. Steam, add butter, or cheese, or not.

I like canned green beans with Italian dressing as a sort of one bean salad.

Peas are pretty bland, but more starch than veg.

Edamame are probably pretty good for you. Soy is, like, magic or something.

Cole slaw is not very acidic, I think. And full vitamin C, iirc.

Turnips are surprisingly tasty, and potato-like, but with different nutrients.

Celery, and carrots, raw is best but cooked is still good.

Cashmere, if you're about, how is your mom's recovery coming along? Did you take Owen to see her over the weekend?

I'm about a little today.

Yes, I took O to see Mom this past weekend. It was really great. She's recovering, albeit very slowly. I'm pretty sure this is due to the diabetis, which they are still having issues with (Mom's sugar bottomed out while Dad ran to the store). She was in good spirits and happy to see the boy (who made both his grandparents laugh a lot).

We also went to a basketball game at my old high school and saw my GRADE SCHOOL LIBRARIAN! She's 83 and we sat and chatted for a little while and she admired Owen very much. So much that she called my mom the next day to brag on him. Mom was tickled.

I just heard back from one of my profs about my incomplete and final grade. This is her e-mail:

I have read your final exam and graded it as B+/A-. Your grade for the course is B+.

I want to let you know that I am impressed with the sharp sense of humor you've been able to maintain and with what you accomplished this semester in the face of so many difficulties. You definitely belonged in the class and if you had been able to participate more fully, your classmates would have benefited even more from your insight and wit. As you know, they greatly appreciated your presentation.

I wish you health and success as you continue your work. Please feel free to contact me if there's anything you'd like to discuss.

This is the class I REALLY struggled with, and I got a B+. YAYAYAYAY!!! And SUCH a nice e-mail from her!