Shir, and askye, I'm so sorry for the situations you both find yourselves in. I don't know what to offer except for sympathy and hope the best for all concerned.

Things I miss from my old office: the 24 inch papercutter with the guillotine arm--do 10-12 sheets at once. What a gratifying sound! My Pilot stapler--the one with the flat knob on top? Tremendous feeling of power every time I smashed that knob down. Can't think of much else, actually. The job before that was at the community college, where I was spoiled for paper goods. They taught printing, and had a paper cutter that would cut 6 inches of paper in one cut. And they'd cut it to size, tailored memo pads or sheets. H had a stack that said in elegant script: From the desk of Real First name, Real Last name. That was always a hoot--visitors thought it was a joke until he pointed to the name plate on his desk. My memo pads said, in equally lyric script, "From the desk of Whatsername."

I thrifted a half-ream of really nice paper I had no use for. The shop cut it down and hole-punched it to use in my planner. I miss having access to print shop. I liked having good tools: pens, stapler, etc. People wandered away with stuff from my desk, but they didn't get to keep it. I will track you like a bloodhound and take my pen back, thanks. Get your own.

I could never get a paper cuter to cut straight! I also sometimes have troubles drawing straight lines with rulers. Oddly, I can cut straight by eye?

In ongoing sagas of me half paying attention to people with similar names, I just figured out that Andrew Yang and Bowen Yang are two different people while listening to a podcast talking about preferential voting!

Things I miss from my old office: the 24 inch papercutter with the guillotine arm--do 10-12 sheets at once. What a gratifying sound!

Oh, wow, I forgot all about the paper cutter at my last job! I loved using that thing. So satisfying!

I've been summoned down to Redwood City for jury duty about half a dozen times in the 23 years or so I've been living in San Mateo County. Only once made it as far as voir dire (for a domestic violence case in which the woman involved had shot her husband, who was a cop.) When the judge asked us if any of us had any reason to believe we could not be impartial in the case, I answered (truthfully) "I'm afraid so. My mother ran a shelter for battered women from the time I was 13 until I was 16, and if you want to discuss it further, we can do that, but I'd prefer not to do it in open court." He didn't ask for further details, and the prosecution put me on the 'no go' list pretty quickly.

I don't object in principle to the notion of doing my civic duty by serving on a jury, but no prosecution lawyer in their right mind would ever want me on one.

And because it needs its own post:

Shir and askye, those are both heartbreaking situations. I wish you both as much courage and strength as you need to get through them. Lean on us if you need to; that's what we're here for.

Went for my morning walk, got home, poured my coffee, sat and turned on the news, and discovered SpaceX launched while I was walking and I could have watched! I usually am better about being in a good watching spot for launches. Oh well, still exciting stuff.

Mmmm, paper cutter! I used to love the sound as well, but did have issues with getting a good straight cut. Probably still have one in storage.

Hey Karl! Yes, I think I would have to be honest about my inability to be impartial in some types of cases. In theory though I would try and do a responsible job with the task. If I were on trial as perpetrator or victim I would want me on a jury.

When on a jury, I've tried to be impartial, but ... this is basically a small town and we're more at three degrees of separation. I kept getting called for things where I knew or was involved in situations, so ... they'd toss me back in the pool.

So my Aunt Wanda had a TIA last night and is in the ER but will be released today.

I found this out from Mom's Facebook . A friend of my aunt's drove over , sat with Jay's son and is there for support.

My dad has offered to drive over and help. My uncle wanted to fly down today and then a step cousin we have that lives in Orlando has offered help. So far mom has taken a wait and see approach. I talked to my Aunt Jo and got a lot more info about things. Usually by the time I can catch up with Mom she has talked to Jo and her brother and everyone in person so she is tired of talking.

Mom has been cooking but my aunt has been sending her money to get take out some. Jay's son is still going to school (it's Florida so it's in person) and to martial arts. The place he goes has waived fees for that according to my aunt.

I don't know if he has a counselor or anyone outside the family or friends to talk to but I may ask my aunt about that.

Oh and one of my Aunt Wanda's other friends is involved with an organization that helps older adults who don't have strong local support. They do things like yard work, helping get homes ready to sell, coordinate with out of town family for that. So they have stepped in and are coordinating with my uncle for getting Wanda's house ready to sell, her things in storage ,etc and they may have other resources. It's in her hometown which is an hour away from Jacksonville.

I'm worried about Wanda and Mom but I feel better knowing there is support.

And Jay ia being moved out of ICU and into a palliative care floor of the hospital.

Man, askye, your family is really going through it. I am also glad there is support.

Yes, that is a lot