I know there's a German word for how I've just been smacked in the face. Someone with whom I really don't get along has been very different lately, and much easier to get along with.

Why? Because her husband was dying of cancer, I have now found out.

Fuck, I feel like a heel for having been so relieved.

Yay, Dana!!!!

Fuck, I feel like a heel for having been so relieved.

Don't feel bad, you had no idea. You didn't wish it on her. And, if she was difficult before and not so much now, it sometimes takes a tragedy for people to get things in perspective.

Congratulations, Dana!

Congrats, Dana!

Congrats Dana!

Does anyone have a good recipe for cornbread? I've tried a few in the past, but they always seem too dry.

Congrats, Dana!

Monday I had lunch at a place that had little bite-sized muffins with chocolate butter. I'd not been introduced to that concept previously, but I approve.

YAY Dana!

I have quite a few at home. Also for blackeyed pea cornbread and crawfish cornbread. I'll post 'em when I make it home.

Also disovered another wierd thing about people and our forms. For some reason there's a reluctance to check Female Head of Household. They'll check that they're female, check that they are unmarried, they'll check single head of household, but they will not take the step to put all of that together.

Does anyone have a good recipe for cornbread? I've tried a few in the past, but they always seem too dry.

A good way to moisten cornbread is to add corn. Also, be sure not to overbake it. Dries out something fierce. I tend to underbake by a touch in order to keep moistness.

I'm so terrible--even though I really don't have the room for it at my apartment, I'm sketching out a bookshelf I would love for my dad to build for me.

I saw an Arts and Crafts one on Antiques Roadshow on Monday night that looked really cool and thought Dad could build me a slightly modified version of it: about four feet of bookshelves topped by mini shelving areas about 18 inches across each covered by glass doors flanking an open area of 18 inches in the center, with a nice arching curve of wood for the back piece and maybe some pretty scrollwork on the top of the arch. The original antique was more boxy on top and had a dedication wood plaque in the center instead of an open space, but I loved the idea of glass-covered storage spaces topping the open bookshelves.

I'll show him the sketch when he gets back from Alaska in a few weeks and see if he likes the challenge. It'd be a really nice Christmas present that I can possibly fit into my dining room, especially if I get rid of the other cheapo Sauder bookshelf that's in there now.