I didn't provide an update on my dad, did I? He's home today. Every test came back normal, so it wasn't a stroke or messed-up sodium levels. When I talked to him last night, he said he remembered getting his nighttime meds out, opening a cabinet for a glass, turning away, and then turning back and whacking into the cabinet door. Given that all the tests were normal, and that whacking your head can make you pass out, I think that was the culprit.

I'm glad it was nothing awful, but whacking his head and passing out is still scary. Sheesh, dad.

Ah, men of a certain age.

My mom is really bad at asking for help from me too. She wants to keep everything private!

My Congresswoman, Louise Slaughter, just died. She has been my congresswoman seemingly forever and I really liked her. I haven't heard of any other democrat that popular here, especially after weird redistricting to split the democrats in the city.

I wondered if you were in her district, Sophia. She was quite the trail blazer.

Oh, whacking Into a door. Yeah, that'll do it. And, yes, still scary. Not sure exactly what to hope for,, Tep, but better?

Sorry to hear that, Sophia. Hope a good successor steps up.

So instead I'm drinking wine and eating dumplings at home.

That sounds lovely. I'm at the stage of a cold where nothing sounds tasty. My sister invited me over for dinner but I feel lousy and I'm probably still contagious, so I'm going to lounge and read and maybe watch SG1 reruns on Hulu.

Looks like I might be able to do the estate's income taxes on Taxcut.com, instead of having to hire a tax preparer. There really isn't much income to be considered this year...

Well, I'm glad there wasn't anything too systemic wrong with your dad, Steph.

-t, I hope the vertigo issues are BPPV, as that's often treatable with the maneuver linked to above.

Sorry about the office politics, Gud.

Wine and dumplings sound nice. I had fizzy water and mac and cheese, which also has its charms.

Yeah, accessibility becomes really obvious when you have to deal with it. When my mom was in a wheelchair I started noticing how there were steps in so many places. My sister's home does not have a single bathroom without at least one step, and the bathroom with a tub and shower is on the second floor. Both she and her husband are looking at knee surgery sooner or later, and they're hoping they'll be in a position to sell the house and move into something on one level before that becomes critical.

Well, I'm glad there wasn't anything too systemic wrong with your dad, Steph.

As long as he stops bonking his noggin, he should be good.

My homemade beef stroganoff without mushrooms is even better as leftovers. I think the meat is even more tender.

OMG, it's my little cousin's 21st birthday today. And he's Irish. I'm a little scared for him.