Teppy, I'm so sorry for all of this that Tim's dad, your dad, and you all are going through. I hear echoes of some of the crap we went through with my mom's care and place, and it's enraging, and frustrating, and sad, and I'm sorry for all of you.

Teppy, one of the N95 mask brands that Project 95 carries is from Indiana Face Mask.

Indiana Face Mask is listed for $35.00 for a box of 25 (which is a pretty good price). [link]

I happened upon Indiana Face Mask's own website yesterday, and you can buy a box of 25 for $25 (I don't know about shipping). [link]

We haven't bought that brand yet. I tried two brands (DemTech and Protective Health Gear) that were available and affordable before Chris started the fall semester, and then because he liked them, and they fit well, we just stuck with them.

No matter which brand you choose, one thing to consider is how Tim wears his hair, if it is still long.

N95 straps go around the back of the head. They're not ear loops. You can work with this, but some people with long hair don't like to. That's why we settled on KF94s for my daughter (my preference would be that we all wear N95s, any time we are out in public).

Cindy, you are awesome (for many reasons), and thank you for this great info!

How are you and yours doing these days?

Sorry I missed this before, Jen. We're doing all right. I feel better now that Christopher has had that third Covid shot (and, unlike his Tdap booster this summer) it didn't land him in the hospital.

I have a little good news I was waiting to share, but what the heck. sj and Cashmere know, already.

My oldest son is engaged to be married. I think they might be booking their wedding for October 2022, but that's not yet final.

Cindy, that's exciting news about your son's engagement! Congratulations!

Thank you, Tep. He'll only be 26 in January, which past-me would have said feels young, but they've been together since their senior year in college and we just love her. We also love them together. They work. So we're just thrilled. It's nice to have something nice to look forward to.

I bought myself a Christmas present: a 3-D stereogram poster, replacing the one I had in the early '90s that I didn't take with me in a move. I have been regretting that ever since.

It is "Calypso Reef" from NVision Graphix.

The colors and the borders are nice enough, but what I really like about it is that the images of the humpback whale, the dolphins, the birds, the additional fish, the undersea cave, and the extra palm trees are only there if I am actively paying attention to the picture.

I have put a Flickr link in my profile, if you would like to see what I mean.

(Coming out of lurkerdom) Cindy, you can search Nova Scotia births up to 1920 online from the Archives. [link]

I've never heard anything about vital statistics records being destroyed in the Explosion. And I worked at the Archives for many years. I mean, if the birth was unregistered and you're looking for church records, you might be SOL. (Going back into lurkerdom)

I saw a news item that Nova Scotia had, once again, sent a Christmas tree to Boston.

Meara: This is very easy and tasty, and can hit the table in about 30 minutes: [link]

It's now a standard for me when we're in a cabin somewhere because easy, tasty. I double the marinade, because my daughter likes extra.

This is just a drive by, because I have to be out the door in a few minutes . . . HI BYE

Thanks Sparky! May try, but sadly the vegetarian also avoids soy, which makes it harder as well. We ended up with sheet pan nachos with quorn, last night.

Meanwhile, wish me gastrointestinal fortitude—my tummy has been rumbly all day and my friend apparently clogged the one toilet in this house—she went and bought a plunger but so far no luck. I may need to make a break for the gas station nearby.