Back when I was in college, one of my dorm mates would startle you by telling you what she really cherished about you. It's something most of us just aren't in the habit of doing.

At my eldest aunt's 50th wedding anniversary, all the sibs told a story or two of their interaction with the courting (since some were 13 years younger, it was hilarious. Apparently, my mom and her little brother interfered in the formal asking for-my-aunt's-hand with grampa.) But the thing that struck me was that there are so many more of these stories, these appreciations. My grandfather wrote 20 pages of autobiography. Stories burble up out of casual conversation. Hell, I didn't know of a half uncle and an exhusband (other side of the family) until I was in my teens.

But what I know is this: I remind my mom of hers, and from what I hear? That's a damned honor (she had a masters in math. In 1930. And would converse on any topic presented.) Grampa Floyd was a terrible courter, nearly food poisoned my grandma with reheated beans on a wood stove (partly why she married him, she said. Otherwise, he'd kill himself. He said he was the only one who would tolerate her bossiness. And he LIKED it.) We still have the wedding ring quilts gramps' family (which included 4 dead wives) made for them. It's history. It's mine.

TAR: That was an excellent prize for first place. And seriously, for that team, where all four team members no doubt drive an amazing one.

I am also so very ready for Team Florida to go - also Team Jersey and I'm so very sad that the Boston Team is gone.

Back when I was in college, one of my dorm mates would startle you by telling you what she really cherished about you. It's something most of us just aren't in the habit of doing.

I should do more of that.

Thanks, Cass. I try not to idealize him beyond who he actually was, but "who he actually was" was an extraordinary person. (As we were leaving the memorial service, my dad turned to me and said, "I hope they [the people at the service] don't expect all of us to be John Pritchards!")

Back when I was in college, one of my dorm mates would startle you by telling you what she really cherished about you. It's something most of us just aren't in the habit of doing.

I have a friend who does that too! Now I try to do it more often.

It's history. It's mine.

Yeah, this. One good thing about this summer, in the midst of all the sadness, was the sense of being so fully involved with my family and our history: hearing all the stories, looking through old photo albums and scrapbooks. The best picture of my grandfather: sixteen years old, dressed in a suit and tie, on a family vacation through Yellowstone National Park, standing on tiptoe to feed a black bear!

TAR: sumi, I totally agree about the teams.

TAR: I thought this was a pretty crappy leg, overall. Badly structured, I mean. First off, what's up with the start times? I find it hard to believe they all made it in within an hours' time. And the challenges? The thirty miles difference in distance pretty much determined which bus you were on. Which, ok, that sometimes happens, but when the next challenge is a one-by-one where there's really no chance for any time to be lost or made-up, it's pretty crappy.

Next week - the race car thing? That's pretty fucked-up.

God I hope that odious Italian family goes out next time.

Jessica, on TAR, I completely agree, on both your comments.

I should do more of that.

See, I think that too. And yet, you know what? It's hard. It's hard to articulate, it's hard to just not come off as creepy! Kelly didn't do the generic "I appreciate you," she explained what it was about you that touched her. Hell, I can't quite remember what about me she said, but what I do recall is an overwhelming sense of value, care and love. And that's all that counts.

see you didn't think it was creepy. I don't think it would come off as creepy with people you are close with.

I think I totes just saw kat & lori on Ellen on Oxygen. They were getting down.

Having cherry tomatoes for dinner. Bob got this pint of cherry tomatoes from the greenmarket a couple weeks ago that tasted like berries, it was so good, and I've been trying to find cherry tomatoes that good ever since with no success.