Well, yeah, but that feels rude to me. They've gone to the trouble to get in touch, the least I can do is write back.

I'm with you on this. Being on the receiving end of a resounding silence rather than a quick "thanks but no thanks" message makes one feel both invisible and unworthy of a few keystrokes.

Hypothetically, I mean. I've got this friend...

How about something like: Thanks for writing. I've looked at your profile and I don't think we have many interests in common, but I'm really flattered by your e-mail. Maybe this online dating thing has something to it after all.

That way you're saying they've boosted your ego but you don't ask them for a date, and it's all light? I could be crazy.

Tomorrow, hot fudge! It's a little late to go looking for it now.

Malley's doesn't stay open later on the weekends? Oh wait, there's the whole parenting thing. I spose dragging the kids out for ice cream at 11pm wouldn't really be the thing to do.

Jen, I would just like to say again that you're very cool for sending me the Lorrie Moore Ploughshares. I haven't read any of the stories in it yet, but I finally read her intro the other day, and then saw the Post-It in the front and was reminded that people are awesome.

{{Deena}} That sounds like it was just horribly scary. I'm glad you were strong in the clinch, but still....ugh. Not a fun thing to go through.

And more {{}} for thems as needs them because it sounds like today was a bit of the yuck for everyone. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were all having the craxy 95 degree weather that we are. It's only June! for cry-y-y. This is Wisconsin, we're not supposed to get this crap until the end of July or August. It's enough to make me want to move to Alaska.

How about something like: Thanks for writing. I've looked at your profile and I don't think we have many interests in common, but I'm really flattered by your e-mail. Maybe this online dating thing has something to it after all.

I like that, I think that sort of thing would work nicely. Thanks Deena.

Aww, P-C, you just made me smile. Not an easy thing to do today--I've been in a crap mood all day.

It is my raison d'etre.

I forget where all the damn accents go.

YAY! BT, you just made my day.

I spose dragging the kids out for ice cream at 11pm wouldn't really be the thing to do.

Well, no, not with the bruising and the crying and the fact that they're already asleep. I don't want the cops called--frankly, right now their legs look like I beat them with steel rods or something.

I just skimmed because of my houseguest but ack! Deena! Aidan seems to have taken that "up, up and away" thing a little too literally. On the other hand, I think it would be really cute to hear Aidan say "up, up and away." Does he have a cape? Is there a way to padlock an oven door?

And of course Kara's a prodigy.

vw, life continues to be one damn thing after another, but it really does get easier to cope with one damn thing after another. Just think how well you're doing and how many people are proud of you.

Happy anniversary and happy bean, Cashmere!