shrift, is your roommate a friend of yours? Or just someone you live with because you needed a roommate?

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John Henry at 32

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My roommate is a friend. I don't know that I could afford to live alone on my current salary, although eventually I probably will get a place of my own because I have these control freak issues, you see.

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The world's most disturbing children's book?

Um... huh.

I wonder if the book is only intended for children who have or may have been molested?

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I don't think it's control-freaky to expect your food to be in the fridge when you come back for it, really. I'm surprised by the idea of houseguests randomly eating whatever they find -- especially if they are houseguests of only one resident of the apartment.

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I can't decide if that article about John Henry makes me happy or sad. But this

Before the walks began, administering John's daily medication often required more than an hour of effort involving elaborate schemes to catch him unawares in his 18-by-18 stall. On at least one occasion, catching him in the stall required a lasso.

is something I can relate to. Medicating the reluctant is not an enviable task, so I'm glad his walks make it easier.

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billytea, I made the connection based on: Philadelphia, couples therapy, intensive group interactions (and the high cost of the sessions) - all of which you'd mentioned. It just didn't seem likely that there were that many people doing that kind of intensive couple's therapy in the same city. (It didn't occur to me that Bec and TOG might be among the actual group described, which, double freaky!)

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I'd like to mention that I like all these people. I'm just grousing a little. And I'm pretty sure none of them read here, but if they do I'm going to feel like a jerk.

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Shrift, when I had roommates we had clearly-defined common food items (staples like bread, cheese slices, milk, and condiments) and the rest was personal food that was off-limits to anyone but the owner. Maybe that sort of agreement could work for you?

Or you could always wait til one of the mooching houseguests is over and having a meal, then snatch food off their plate/out of their container and start eating it to make a point.

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I loved the video of John Henry on his daily constitutional. Checking out the cross-country course, visiting the foals, allowing children to pet him without snapping their hands off -- see -> mellow.

Also, cute that he likes to stand in the Winner's Circle -- so familiar to him.

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