Vortex, could you make up a story of some bad association that particular word has? Like an asshole ex-coworker or something who would use it in emails and cc the boss and it was a whole thing so the word puts you on edge, and there's no way she could possibly have known that, but it would help a lot if she could use something else for you, thanks so much!

Yeah that’s basically what I was going to suggest, Vortex—telling her the word gives you the heebie-jeebies and could she use something else? I think that might feel less personally hurtful if I was feeling sensitive?

Also also, I read this headline and now I have Music Man stuck in my head—

Ohio mayor lambasted for saying ice fishing would lead to prostitution

[link]

Ohio mayor lambasted for saying ice fishing would lead to prostitution

I am certain that the internets must be out there making all the slippery slope jokes that this deserves.

Ha! I didn't think of that. I was with meara with the Trouble with a capital T that rhymes with...then I get lost but the music does keep going.

Note to self: Giving Mr. S French Toast for dinner is a very bad idea.(especially when he drowns it in syrup)

There is probably a gif out there of Jack Benny saying “I’m thinking, I’m thinking!” that you could use.

There IS a gif of the three dots that appear in iMessage when someone is typing a response to you. It's a great tool to just send that gif as a response and then let them wait while you are "typing" your response.

My condolences to Steph and Tim. I am glad the brothers are together and supportive. I would not want to go to the calling hours, either, if people were not masked. We did have them (and a small gathering at the house afterwards) for Maria’s mom, but that was before Delta or Omicron. And we were all masked up! But I would still go (as you are) because how could you not.

I would not want to go to the calling hours, either, if people were not masked.

Maybe 20% of the people there were masked last night. So goddamn frustrating.

We had 2 nice surprises, though. The first one is that I told my parents they did not need to come to the visitation, because of Covid and because the funeral home is honestly at least an hour drive for them (Cincinnati being a city with a big East/West division, and my family is East and Tim's is West, and it's all very Shakespearian, but one of Shakespeare's comedies). However, one of my cousins lives maybe 20 minutes from the funeral home, and she and her husband stopped in, which was very nice.

The second one was that, at the last minute, Tim and I were looking at at the cards on the flower arrangements and realized one of our friends had sent flowers, which was really lovely of them.

The funeral is at 10, so I have to get my ass in gear.

Cincinnati being a city with a big East/West division, and my family is East and Tim's is West, and it's all very Shakespearian, but one of Shakespeare's comedies

I love this description. It makes me think that you living in Northside has extra added significance rez; the joining together of your two houses. I hope the masking situation is not too aggravating and that people continue to surprise you with kindness