( continues...) directly with them about it (for whatever reason, especially with my ongoing absebce from the computer in the last few - I'm not even sure how to call it, years? ice-ages?), I can already say that I'm truly sorry. I can honestly say that I didn't mean to - you're all so considerate and thoughtful and generally all-around lovely, that there's absolutely no room for such a thing here. However, I might have had a slip of a keyboard, or mistaken somebody's intentions, or many other possible so forths. Y'all are so understanding, you probably tried to find excuses for me and didn't take offense anyway, but I want to make sure, all the same.

Please don't get me wrong - I'm definitely not trying to go around in a 'holier-than-thou' show off, or force my personal beliefs on others, or make statements which may be understood as criticizing anybody else's beliefs (or lack thereof) and way of living. If anything, being around here, among such a rich versatile group of kind and clever people, has exposed me to a lot more ways of choosing to lead one's life than I've ever had a chance to see before, and has shown me much more of the beauty and richness that is the world we live in.

[Edit: Oh, I should've known I couldn't keep myself in just the one post, ha?]

[Another Edit: this is especially true these last recent years, with my oh-so-short time-not-in-front-of-students-or-kids, computer time and internet access, which gave way for too many opportunities to unintentionally miss stuff or seem to ignore (undeliberately!) people or their posts. And even more so this year, in which I managed to briefly post while in self-quarantine, and then disappear of the face of B.org again.

Sometimes in absence you can hurt people just as much as when you're present. Or even more so, only differently. And at the same time, you guys are always so there-for-anybody-who-needs (including little me - even when I don't get to get to the computer, I still know that you're there, that no matter what, if I ask, you're there for me, even after all my absence and lack of giving back).

So this is a chance to also post: Thank you.]

You have the (I suspect) the unusual Yom Kippur practice of making a bunch of people glad to see you. It is particularly welcome this year.

All the Nilly love!!!!

It helps my year so much to see Nilly fonts.

I suspect by election day I won't be sleeping at all...

This. I also had to look back for that link because it seems more important than ever to be prepared and informed. Stocking up isn't a bad plan. I know we will survive this, but this is not going to be a fast or easy transition.

An easy fast to you, Nilly!

it's occurring to me that some cash, a few days of meds, etc in one place might be wise.

Oh yeah, that's the other thing I've been meaning to do -- have have cash on hand. I pay for every dang thing with my credit card now, and can go weeks or more without using cash.

I'm still alive. I returned to work Monday, which was a mistake. By the end of the day, I was totally spent. Tuesday I slept. After that, it's been basically work and sleep. For the first time yesterday I was fever-free for a significant chunk of time, though my fever wandered back up to 102 by evening. Today, I've been fever-free so far, but I'm utterly exhausted.

Gud, I think you should call your doctor or a nurse line and tell them you've had a fever for X number of days.

Also, use sick time! Your employer would rather have you take the time to recover from being sick instead of pushing through and possibly prolonging it.

I've already used 3 days of sick time.

Definitely what sick time is for—plus if you have a fever or are exhausted you're probably making more work for yourself in the future when you try to figure out what you meant or what you did!

Teppy I haven't stocked up yet (though I definitely need to reorganize my pantry and some places, to get space first!) but plan to. I did get a bunch of cash back at the beginning of the pandemic just in case but so far only used to pay the house cleaner.

Puppy continues to be exhausting, though he was quiet (sleeping or not) from 11pm until 545am! But then was definitely not quiet from 545 onward. :(