So this is part of what I spent my weekend doing. This is the smooth scholarship competition in my division (Bronze) where I took 1st place.

[link]

I'm moving to Philadelphia within the next three weeks or so. I've taken a part-time job (which is what I was looking for, though not in Philadelphia; who knew?) with a woman who, if I got to pick my mentor, she'd be it. So that worked out, eh? Very excited.

I want to thank the buffistas for being wonderful, thoughtful and generous people.

The surgery fund has been enriched by $500 and an angel among us has offered an interest-fee loan so that I can walk into the hospital knowing that Bartleby will be safe to the extent that I can make him so.

I am deeply, deeply humbled.

Today, I was finally able to send out a fund-raising letter to my at-large community. Given the uncertainty of the surgical outcome, every little bit will still help.

In the letter, I describe my offer for 'the right words' project.

Since Erin has been such a loving and efficient surgery fund fairy, I do not know who individual b.org contributors are. So, retroactively, I'd like to offer the 'in exchange for' option to you.

You can find the blog post about the project here: Helping Bartleby while helping you solve a nagging problem

The webpage about it here: Fundraiser

And, for the CSI inclined among us:Facts about Bartleby's cure

The surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15th. At this point, I do not know how long he will have to be in hospital, but since the recovery will be so, very painful, it may be 2 or 3 days. I have never left him in any facility and the thought of it breaks my heart. But, I must do what is best for him. Full stop.

Again, thank you all so much for your support. If you would like to participate in the 'right words' project, just let me know!

To add to bonny's lovely words, I have of course kept donations anonymous, since that's the usual SOP.

But if anyone wants their name added to a list, I would be happy to create it to send to bonny. I have kept all the emails I have received IRT this.

PSA.

I got some really exciting news today. I co-wrote a play this summer called Zombeo and Juliet (many of you may remember me talking about it and the production we did of it). Well, I thought it was pretty good so I decided to submit it for publication. Turns out, I'm not the only one who thought it was pretty good. Pioneer Drama will be publishing my play very soon!!

Hi all, I'm coming with hat in hand to ask, yet again, for help funding a grant at Donors Choose. My proposal has until end of January, but I'd love any and all help in getting this funded. Half a Life by Darrin Strauss is a beautiful and haunting and relevant memoir that I think my students, even the struggling readers, will love.

Donations of any amount will help (the more donors I have, even at a dollar a donor actually moves me up on the front page). Please help me in getting this funded.

Info is at [link]

My third installment on Early Sixties Horror is up at Hilobrow.

This time I look at Night Tide (1961), a low budget remake of Cat People (they're Mermaids in this one) starring the young Dennis Hopper, and featuring Cameron, the subject of much hoodoo/Satanic intrigue and the surviving widow of Jack Parsons (founder of the JPL).

As always with these articles, if you are so inclined to check it out, please to clicky on the Facebook "Like" at the website. It's good for business, good for America, but mostly good for me. Re-tweeting is also very nice. Thanks!

Bartleby and I have been home for a couple of hours and we are doing okay.

I asked the hospital staff to make sure we had finished all of our paperwork before they brought him out to me because I was pretty sure I was going to lose it entirely...given last night's breakdown. (Thank you so much, Beth. You were a great help to me.)

At one point, the nurse paused and with a very serious face, asked, "Did the doctor prepare you for it looks like?" I said,"He said it would be ugly." She gave a heavy sigh and said, "It's worse." She was right.

The incisions go from around the top of the base of his tail, down his leg, a ragged 6 inches. (His legs are about 8 inches.) Another branch shoots out in a Y about 3 inches to the outside of his thigh. There is also a rubber tube, sticking out from the base of his thigh. It's raw and swollen and basically looks like he's been torn apart by lions.

My biggest challenge will be avoiding having to go back for further resuturing either due to infection or tears in the stitching. The doctor is pretty convinced that at least one of these is inevitable. I'm going to do my very best to avoid either!

The better news is, while he is crying all the time...both from pain and disorientation from the pain meds...Bartleby is eating and moving around with gusto. A little too much gusto for my nerves, truth to tell.

I'm, frankly, shocked by this.

Of course, the hardest part is yet to come, but somehow having a medication schedule and a list of things I need to do every day makes me feel a teeny bit more powerful.

With donations, I was able to buy a heated bed that is perfect for him. He's in it right now, getting the first good rest he's had in a while. Just the thought of being able to help him relax...which is the very best medicine...leads me to express my profound thanks, again, to everyone here who has been with us on this journey.

Thank you so much for your kindness, generosity and good wishes. We have a mountain ahead of us, but with your help, we are already part way up!