I remember in The Buccaneers, one of the character's names -- Brightlingsea -- was pronounced "brittle-see," which amazed me. The Brits elide all kinds of letters.

Beauchamp is "Beechum" in Britain, as opposed to French "Boh shahm."

I did not know that one. Cool.

My original impulse was to spell Chumley's name as Cholmondeley, but then I realized it would mean a Conversation every time I was at the vet, et cetera.

(Much to my surprise, or maybe I shouldn't because Somerville, there are three other Chumleys registered at my vet's, two cats and a rabbit.)

Beauchamp

Said a bad little youngster named Beauchamp
"Those jelly-rolls, how shall I reauchamp?
To my parents I'd go,
But they always say 'No,'
No matter how much I beseauchamp."

-- Carolyn Wells

Heh.

I am so sorry, Jesse.

So I decided to walk to a grocery store about four blocks away to buy a steak even though radar showed we were about to be hit by a line of thunderstorms. It started raining on my way there and the rains got harder as I walked. I bought a steak and some milk and came out to find it raining hard with lightning. I had an umbrella but I still got soaked below my waist from the rain. I counted the time between lightning and thunder-one lightning strike was only a mile away. I shifted my iPhone to a different pocket to keep it dry and finally made it home, safe and wet, but with my iPhone still dry.

Then I discovered that I was just carrying the milk; I had left the steak at the checkout counter.

It looks like the line of thunderstorms will pass us in an hour--maybe I'll go get the steak then.

Oh Jesse, I know all too well about that phase. Feel free to call or email if you want to talk. As for how long it can last, he can live a good long while if he's being well cared for and is otherwise in good health. My mom was unable to walk or eat without assistance for several years. It may help to know that, for her, the time was mostly pleasant I think. She probably got a bit bored, but mostly she was okay with her life. And much as her being in that state pained me sometimes, having her alive and in good physical health was such a gift. It meant she was there for my wedding.

Thanks, Burrell. He is in great health, and pretty good spirits, so that's something. It kills me how strong his grip is when he can't manage the fork.

That is something, Jesse. That he's basically happy is huge. I know how much it meant to me at the time.