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!

Glad you're feeling better, Theo!

Since CVS is delivering (most) prescriptions right now, I had my refill of BP meds delivered, and there's a note on the label from the doctor's office that says "Patient is overdue for physical with fasting labs. This will not be refilled again until that is done."

I'm not opposed to getting a physical and bloodwork under normal goddamn circumstances. But considering we're in a pandemic, I feel like going to the doctor's office is something that can fucking WAIT. And I'm going to send them a message to that effect (minus the profanity). I mean, if I have to do it, then I will, because I need to keep taking those sweet sweet BP meds, especially now.

But I still think it's ill-advised to tell a patient to come in to the office for a non-urgent matter right now. (I'm guessing the staff doesn't want me to come in, either, but this is an automated reminder generated by the Big Giant Medical Conglomerate they're part of.)

Yeah, that sounds like an automated reminder. Hopefully someone at the dr's office can override! How annoying.

Glad you are feeling better, Theo! Trazadone sounds familiar but I can't place it. Probably just sounds like something else, drug names are all kind of interchangeable in my brain. But I hope it helps, in any case.

I'm about to try our insurance's "telehealth" option ... I'm still in pain from the fall, to the extent that I can't sleep more than two hours before I move and the pain wakes me up. Our person who handles the insurance for the office suggested they might prescribe painkillers ... which would be nice, but I'm doubtful that they would (I used to be on Tramadol for my arthritis ... but there's an opioid epidemic on! according to the doctor who cut me off.)