Thanks, everyone. I really appreciate all the good wishes.

Be sure to check the road conditions before you leave. Last I heard there was a major detour off I-40 for a flooded section east of Little Rock, with lots of backed-up truck traffic.

Yeah, I saw that -- what a mess. Google gives an alternate route between Jackson, TN and Conway, AR that ought to keep us clear of the worst of it, though I'm sure all alternate routes will be super busy too. Argh.

Please tell him I'm thinking about him.

Thanks, amyth. I know he'll appreciate it.

My MiL seems so checked out right now, but I hear tell last night when she awoke, she looked up and saw C and broke into a huge smile. Makes me glad he was with her.

Oh, that's wonderful. It really is a gift to be with the people you love at the end. I'm so glad C is able to be there.

I'm hearing news that they arrested a man who allegedly pulled a gun out of his backpack when the President's motorcade passed.

Is this description (an exercise readying students for the thimble) basically flipping someone the bird?

If it isn't, I can't figure out what else it could be!

I'm hearing news that they arrested a man who allegedly pulled a gun out of his backpack when the President's motorcade passed.

I feel like the odds that it was NOT a gun are pretty high, no?

Yeah, the whole report sounds pretty sketch: [link]

Lots of strength and good thoughts directed to Kate, Burrell, and your families.

I feel like the odds that it was NOT a gun are pretty high, no?

I hope so.

I am going to send in my resume for that VA hospital library job before I leave here today! I was just telling my boss about it, and she told me to go for it. It pays $20K more than I'm currently making. But, I'd be shocked if I even got an interview, since I'm still working on my master's. One of my co-workers drives by the facility every day, and she said it's a great-looking place, recently renovated, located right at Great Lakes Naval Station.

I kind of feel like anyone stuck standing still on a Manhattan street corner is probably pulling something out of a backpack!

Humph! I saw VA and got all excited thinking that you were moving here. Curse you, Veteran's Administration!

Actually, that's why I was looking at the federal jobs listing, because I would like to move to the DC area after getting my MLS! But, if I could get a fed job in the Chicago area, especially one paying $20K more than I currently make, and keep my cost of living the same, that would be more practical. But, making that $$$ would mean I could take trips out there much more often than I can now!

I tried the thimble-ready exercise. Still laughing.

All ease and comfort to your families, Kate and Burrell, and gentle passing for those who are leaving.

I can't order glasses online. Even if my prescription wasn't somewhat weird, my face is so different on each side I'd have to take them to Lenscrafters or another glasses place to have them adjusted so I could wear them. And those places often decline to fit glasses not bought there.

Yeah, the glasses I got last fall are kind of bent in weird ways in order to fit my unsymmetrical head.