Wow, Laura, he'd rather sleep outside? I mean, I guess it's Florida, but still! Eesh. Sounds like there's not a lot you can do. That's so tough.

Laura, if it helps you feel any more optimistic, I have a cousin who was in a pretty similar place at that age, and now (in his mid-thirties), he's gotten a degree in computer security from a community college and is working at a really good company, being one of the people who tries to break into computer networks in order to show where the vulnerabilities are, so that they can be fixed. (And he's earning more than twice what I am.)

I've never understood people with wandering souls--though it sounds like he's not wandering that much. I need a place where I can put my back to a wall and lock the door when need be.

laura, best of luck with your son

I see a lot of that side at the library. keep the communication open, but the lines firm

I forgot ...jello, jello, jello!

Good luck with your prodigal son, Laura. You've got to believe he'll get back on track eventually. He's a good person.

Guys, I feel the need to share my secret shame with you...Oh, BTW, Hi, Everybody!...so, yeah, secret shame. I was listening to NPR this morning and a Dr being interviewed pronounces a word basically the way it's spelled, instead of correctly. I'm embarrassed for the guy and think how humiliating that would be to mispronounce a word in front of however-many listeners on the radio. So when I get to work I look it up on Dictionary.com, trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, thinking maybe it's an alternate pronunciation. And it turns out he pronounced it correctly...AND I'VE BEEN SAYING IT WRONG! Who knows how many times (probably not that many, it's not that common a word) over how many years! THE SHAME! Do not forsake me, fellow Word Lovers!

...And deserving of a separate post, much ~ma for your Mom, Callaluna.

Laura, that does sound hard. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this, but it does sound like you're handling it the best way you can. {{Laura}}

So what's the word??

Thanks all. I believe he will wake up some day and want a better life, but it hasn't happened yet. I'm going to see again if he'll go stay with his aunt and uncle in Fort Lauderdale. They have a baby, but seem to be willing to take him on too.

I just sat outside for a while and watched the sunset. It was beautiful, but between my mind racing and the dog barking it was not so relaxing.