Palm Springs. 120 degrees. No, that's not a typo. 120 degrees today. Freakin' INSANE.

Compared with third consecutive day of heat advisory in DC. Meara, you lose weather-wise either way.

Vibing for your future MiL, Maria.

Nora, go on with your saucy-outfit-wearing self! Have a great day.

Daniel observed this morning that the cats weren't nagging me to wake up and feed them. He figured he'd better take my pulse to make sure I still had one. After ascertaining that I was, indeed, still alive, he queried the possibility that I had already gotten up to feed them. Upon finding that this vital task had not been performed, yet the cats were behaving with uncharacteristic forebearance, he generously offered to feed them himself, seeing as the cats must be sensing how tired I was. Harvey was unwilling to leave my side to take advantage of the Daniel-opened food. Dunno whether that was loyalty and concern on Harvey's part, or if it never occurred to him that it was really food for him that Daniel had opened. I finally hauled my tushie down the stairs, and Harvey consented to go with me. But every time I hesitated (to see if he would go on without me) he paused too.

Weird cat.

So, it feels good to have a back-up plan that doesn't include quitting. It's like compromising with myself.

Excellent! I think having a day off during the week will really help you out in the long run.

Yeah, me too. It gives me the weekend to chill, and then a day during the week to run errands when it's not so crazy busy.

Gronk.

My maternal grandmother (the one who taught me how to knit) has taken a major turn for the worse. She's been ill for years, with several bouts of almost dying followed by recovery once the whole fractious clan has been gathered. This time, though, it seems like the real deal, with an infection that's not responding to antibiotics.

I'm not sure how I'm feeling about this. My mom is shaken by seeing the woman who was "so strong she could do anything" being so frail and helpless, but at the same time, she's ready for this to be over. As for me, I was close to my grandmother maybe fifteen years ago, but she's changed so much since then (and not for the better) that it feels like the woman I knew died years ago.

Then there are all the other issues that are going to follow, such as what's going to happen to my mentally handicapped aunt and uncle (still living at home) and my wheelchair bound grandfather. Chances are, whatever it is, my mom's going to have to deal with it, since she's the one everyone else in the family goes running to whenever there's something unpleasant to deal with.

So sorry, Anne. Wishing you and your mom strength.

Anne, I'm so sorry.

Oh, Anne, I'm so sorry. If it is your grandmother's time, I hope she passes quickly and gently. I don't envy your mother. The illness and potential loss of a parent is hard enough, without having all the practical worries she has. Much strength to her, and to you.

cereal...

Anne, your mom might find some practical help for her dad and siblings (and relief for herself) through the local visiting nurse association, and whatever county or state programs are available for disabled and elderly. If she doesn't know where to start, she can ask to speak to a social worker at the hospital where your grandmother is.

Oh, Anne, I'm so sorry. Peace~ma and prayers to you all.