Strep throat is absolutely no fun. I am sorry for Aimee and lil one, and I sure hope Joe doesn't catch it.

Remember the Thanksgiving I went to last year in SoCal? The one where I didn't mention dietary preferences because my Uncle Steve was ill? Anyway, he died this morning. My cousin Rachel called me to let me know. She's been keeping me apprised. He was really strong and doing well until about two weeks ago, and he was mostly out of pain until the end. I wasn't particlularly close to him, he was good at giving blanket rides when I was a kid, and he always hugged me warmly at family events. But I was extremely close to his wife - she was another one of the long line of women who took care of me and mothered me and gave me lots of love when the MOT didn't. And I babysat all three of their kids when I was growing up, and it's satisfying to see what neat adults they've turned into.

It's funny how life works - I hadn't really spent time with the Foxes in many years, but because of Steve's illness, I'm in touch with them and being pulled in as family again and it's a good feeling. Rachel, his youngest daughter, is a truly awesome human and I'm touched that she's been reaching out to me and keeping me in the loop and called me to tell me about her daddy. And he was a good daddy and a great husband to Aunt Karen for over 40 years. His entire immediate family has lost their best friend and mentor. And his church lost its pastor.

Oh, java. I'm so sorry. What a craptutious day to some of Bitches.

{{{}}} and {{{}}} and ~ma to you, the family of Uncle Steve, and his church.

I'm sorry, sweetie.

I understand there is some sort of sporting contest today.

Oh thank you, Shir. It's sad but it's really a loss for other people, not for me. When Rach called me, I cried for how she must be feeling, not for the effect the death has on me. Does that make sense? Thank you very much for the kind wishes and hugs.

javachik, it sounds like the world was enriched by having him in it, and an emptier, sadder place without him.

Does that make sense?

It does, dear. There is a sense of shared sorrow - I didn't know the guy, and frankly, couldn't remember you wrote about him earlier. Yet, just by reading your touching words about him I felt sorry -for you, for his family, for the world - for losing a man like this.

And this is just me, kquadzillion miles away, never hearing about Uncle Steve right about... now.

So I get how you feel. And it's really, really, really OK. {{}}

I thought for sure we'd talked about Norway's spontaneous interdimensional portal here before. Maybe in Natter?

(Yeah yeah, Russian rocket spinning out of control. BO-RING.)

Ugh, ChiKat. I hope the ick is behind you.

Hope the worst of the strep is in the past too. I seem to be immune to strep. People around me get it all the time but I never have.

We have achieved junk food! I'm ready for football. Kinda. I'm so pleased it is such a picture perfect day here for all the tailgating and such.

Trying the mobile pet groomers today. They happened to be at a GF's house and it sounded like a good idea. It has been years since Brandy has been done by a pro because she freaks out when she is away from us. This way they will be in my driveway and I can hold her paw. I probably could have stayed with her in the groomer's place too, but I never arranged it. Her paws and ears will be grateful for the attention. I don't do a great job of it.

I thought I remembered it, Jess.

I understand there is some sort of sporting contest today.

I thought so too. And yet, all that we hear of America in the news here today is about the explosion in CT. Everyone's alright?