I am powering through my to-do list today: I have done the dishes, done laundry, made fruitcake, groomed the dog, vacuumed the house, finished reading my book club book, and now I have just spent half an hour on my hands and knees scrubbing the grout between the kitchen floor tiles. My white ceramic tile floor is not supposed to look like a tic-tac-toe board.

Now I get to pay a bill and hang for an hour before going climbing. Go me.

Unfortunately, my mop fell apart so I shall have to buy a new one this week. Bah.

Shit! There are actual newsreels of Epee duels in France up on YouTube. Like, this one from 1911.

And you've got to love the cause of the duel:

November 1911. French. Silent. Yet another duel between journalists over coverage of Marie Curie. Pierre Mortier was a writer for "Gil Blas." Gustave Tery wrote for "L'Oeuvre." Mortier was wounded in the arm by Tery.

For the honor of Marie Curie! It seems like there should be a Hark! A Vagrant! about this.

Breathe, Allyson. You can do this.

Consuela, I am seriously impressed.

What do you use on the grout, Consuela? I need to do more scrubbing.

Gold star, Theo!

And Allyson, while not the words you were looking for, maybe, you have just written some excellent words here, so.

Where's that from, Tom? I usually like to include a source link.

I have water oaks, which are "tardily deciduous" and semi-evergreen in the South. This means they lose their small, unrakeable and possibly evil leaves from September to March.

I am terribly sorry.

Somewhat relatedly, my mother just told me she wants to sell their house and move into an apartment and, I quote, "live the life of Riley." Booooo.

Jesse, my mom says that all the time too. Then she remembers that she and my dad bought the house from my grandparents, and when the grandparents moved to Big Bear, they didn't exactly take everything. Nor did my aunt when she got married. And really? Neither have my brother or I so there's lots of stuff.

I dread having to clean out the garage, let alone the whole house. Especially since I have spent the last year cleaning out my MIL's house and we are only about 1/2 done.

Another website to share: 10 formicivores (anteaters). [link] The echidna is on the list, of course. As is the rare ninja anteater: [link]

Where's that from, Tom?

[link]

What do you use on the grout, Consuela?

I just used soapy water with some bleach in it. It's mostly elbow grease with the scrub-brush, really.

I admit I kinda want to take the evening off, but I haven't climbed with these folks in a while, and it's good to get out, I've been indoors all day (except for the run this morning).

Off to feed the dog and change for climbing. Have a nice evening, y'all.

I worked in an overgrown flowerbed for 5 hours. Am sore and tired.

What makes it all ok though is that yesterday I bought a metal rooster for my backyard. It's not a 6' tall Beyonce, but a 1.5' tall one I've named Beauregard. He makes me happy.

6 days until the craft fair/silent auction I am organizing at my church. I have an assload of data entry to do, but not tonight. Tonight I am putting my feet up and playing games.

In other news, it's not even 7:00. So why does it feel like 11-freaking-p.m.?

It's not even six and feels like midnight here. I hate time changes. Actual fluctuations of planet vs. sun, I can deal. Fake me out of an hour of sun, I cut you.