He's actually pretty quiet about all the stuff he does: he never told us he was the one who brought this information back to the US to be examined! And we never knew he went to Wuhan!

He is an infectious disease rockstar and he's fought - and taught others to fight - some of the scariest things we know to exist and kill humans. Barring hippos of which there was no mention.

He's fought a hippo? Or are you saying he's fought everything EXCEPT a hippo...and he might have done that and not mentioned it to you? ....what are his chances on a tennis court with a cheetah?

I've received a letter about how my stimulus payment has hit the bank. Now I have tRump's signature in my house! Aaaaaack! Maybe I'll mail the letter back to the White House with some blistering verbiage about how he should try having a spoonful of Clorox to see if it makes the cooties go away.

It was way more fun having my first Zoom meeting Sunday with the relatives. My little nephew is a man with a mustache! The whole thing was set up by my even littler niece! They went and grew up while I wasn't looking. Also the oldest niece is about six weeks away from delivering a baby girl and my cousin is gonna be Grandpa. I have definitely gotten old, but I see that as a privilege so I'm okay with my gray.

No hippos, but he's way into snakes, and when we lived in a big group house after college, he kept tarantullas, scorpions, and rattlesnakes. *grins*

I desperately want to hear this story.

Oh, you know, high school. Party out under the high-tension lines in February, drove out in the van, came down a steep hill and what he thought was just a puddle was a lot deeper, and the ice broke and the van went in. The amazing thing is he got it out of the water and to an all-night car wash, got most of the water out of the vehicle--well enough for Dad to drive to Mass the next morning. Dad never heard the story until about 15 years ago.

Just had a video call with two friends, and it was charming, and I need to do more of that.

Feeling much better this morning.

In a development not at all related to staying home yesterday, since it was scheduled last week, I had a consult with a Teladoc psychiatrist who is giving me a prescription for Trazadone as a sleep aid, since I've been plagued by insomnia. Never had that drug before so I don't think I'll try it before Friday night because I'd rather not be going to work the next morning either groggy or otherwise altered.

David, my youngest niece is like that when it's NOT a world-wide pandemic. So, you know, solidarity. Also it could be worse?

My niece and nephew are the same in the best of times. My niece's self-professed spirit animal is a sloth.

With all the everything in her life, Matilda may not have two brain cells capable of sparking right now. Sometimes you just need to flop with your friends. When Mom was dying, pretty much all I could manage was sitting on amyth and smonsters' sofa eating Reese's while they watched Supernatural. And I was a grown ass adult.

I hope the meds are helpful, with minimal side effects, Theodosia.

Yeah, I gotta say, Matilda's behavior sounds like me when I'm depressed. I hope she feels better soon, she's been through a lot lately, even for an adult it's a lot.

oh hello talk of slack-a-rific teens. I know of what you speak. I am not sure i have any advice for you except it might help for you to name it as depression/anxiety for them. Completely understandable in this F'd up world we are all in at the moment. Not any easier for you as parents to deal with though. I feel for you all.

Alas, the behavior isn't only typical of teens. My 28 yo suffers from slacktatude as well.

Good to hear you are feeling better, Theo.

Yay for rock star big brothers doing the good life saving work!