When she was paying bills, sometimes, my mom would write swears in shorthand in the memo field of her checks — usually to the insurance company, bank, or electric company.

Ha!

I remember a children's book that hinged on solving a mystery, which was solved by reading Shorthand which had been stitched into a quilt.

I wonder what the book was. I always wish I'd learned shorthand.

My first auto insurance policy was through a company that called itself [Name] Assurance Company.

I used to address the envelopes to [Name] Ass. Co. It made me feel better.

Timelies all!

Busy morning for me. Got up early(or rather, didn't go back to bed after getting up to medicate the cat) and got my car's emission inspection done. It was originally supposed to be done by April of last year, but because of the pandemic they extended the deadline to April 21 2021. Went home for a bit, then went to the supermarket for the weekly grocery run.

Took typing in junior high for half a year. Not a particularly fast typist.

I wonder what the book was.

Me too!

It had my bulletproof kidlit premise: Cousins getting together at an old vacation house by the shore discover historical mystery which - if they can solve it will save the [fill in the blank]. cf., Gone Away Lake et al.

Spring has definitely sprung, in the KC area.

The red maples have are well into leafing out, the redbuds have blossomed, the oaks are flowering.

And a female cardinal pursued by two male cardinals just made a brief stop on my deck. The two males fought over dominance while the female observed. All three were vocalizing.

I wasn't quick enough to get a picture of the males, but here is a picture of the female: [link]

Soon it will be time to set out the hummingbird feeder.

In Florida, why you be that way, news. DeSantis is now suing the Biden administration and CDC to reopen the cruise industry. When we are spiking again. Of course he didn't have an issue with Trump's actions on cruises. That said, I would surely love to be on a cruise. But I can wait.

I remember a children's book that hinged on solving a mystery, which was solved by reading Shorthand which had been stitched into a quilt.

I have no idea what the title is, but you will be completely unsurprised to know I also read and remember that book.

The males get all the good press but female cardinals are so pretty.

I have the steno pads that my grandmother used to write lyrics she heard on the radio when she was teaching herself to take dictation. I don’t know if she ever used that particular skill professionally, but she thought it would be useful snd set herself to acquire it.

I have no idea what the title is, but you will be completely unsurprised to know I also read and remember that book.

As an Encyclopedia Brown and Nancy Drew fan, I couldn't resist looking for this one.

Is it this? [link]