My father was known to read the ingredients of competitors' bologna at the dinner table.

Oh MY.

The more appalling ingredients are listed as "byproducts" "variety meat" and "mechanically separated."

By products, 'meal,' 'natural flavorings'...all should be avoided in pet food as well.

This is why I only buy Kosher hot dogs.

Kathy, I bookmarked that recipe, thanks!

It was also the mid-1970s when Dad visited the plant, so I would hope some things have changed.

I just entirely meant to type "Dad" and it came out "Dean." There's no hope for me.

I may be discovering that Benadryl capules make me sleepier than Benadryl gelcaps. Does that make any sense? Usually I take the gelcaps, and have little sleepiness during the day. Today, store was out of gelcaps, so I got the capsules, and boom, four-hour nap in the mid-afternoon, nothing accomplished today at all.

I may be discovering that Benadryl capules make me sleepier than Benadryl gelcaps. Does that make any sense?

It does to me. I'm not quite sure where the difference is, but my own un-scientific speculation is it has to do with the filler/packing components of the various types of pill/cap/gel/whosiwhatsis, and how different people digest things differently.

Sending good vibes to your grandmother and your family, Pix.

Thanks, Burrell. I’m trying to be zen about it since there isn’t much I can do until I get home on the 14th, but I worry especially about my mom dealing with all of it on her own.

Lots of ~ma for Pix's grandmother.

Continued pet~ma for those who need it.

Pix, ~ma for your grandmother and for you and your mom as well.

Could you share the recipe for this? I've been hankering for a carrot slaw, oddly enough, to the point where I would actually make it myself.

Kathy's recipe is pretty close! It's the only thing I ate in Moldova that I make here. I saute the garlic and there are no onions in mine, and I use ground coriander. But yeah, that's the stuff.

I may be discovering that Benadryl capules make me sleepier than Benadryl gelcaps.

St.W told me that Benedryl puts you to sleep, but lowers your sleep quality - you don't reach "phase 4" sleep.

(THAT would be an example of 'likes carrots.')

Speaking of, we went out for dinner and drinks last night, and I stayed at his place (as did Frankie). ::sigh:: I really, REALLY hate the fact that I have a hard time sleeping in a shared bed. I ended up on the love seat, and then the floor. Stoopid hip, stoopid anxiety, stoopid stoopid. He took me to brunch this morning, and is now at work but we're planning to hang out later. Last night was fun - a friend and her boyfriend met us for drinks, and I discovered a new favorite drink*, and St.W and I had a very intense conversation with a woman (well, she had an intense conversation with us) who just moved here from Austin and was still dressed in her Running of the Bulls** outfit. Frankie went to the bar with us, and everyone adored him as usual. A large pit bull tried to LOVE him love him and Frankie firmly told him no.

Y'all, for real - it's been thirteen years since I dated someone who I was this into***, instead of crushing on someone unavailable or dating someone I was never all that into romantically. I keep waiting for the bad. I mean, I know I'm in honeymoon phase and things will eventually get on my nerves and stuff, that I can deal with... but I find myself waiting for something to ruin it all. I know it's largely out of my control and all I can do is stay present and honest, so that's what I"m doing.

* Cajun lemonade - Pimm's, lemon vodka, soda, and a bit of tabasco.

** [link] (I am SO doing this next year)

*** and THAT was tumultuous First Love/First Girlfriend, which did not last and was not super healthy.