Happy birthday wishes being sent out today to Quester and Emily! I hope you are being spoiled today and that the following year will be filled with happy surprises.

I've always been very random with family gifts, so no one has expectations. Random includes just sending something when I see it, no matter the time of year.

My family calls them un-birthday presents. [link]

Hope you get power back soon, Hec.

Only about an hour, but we were in bed by then. I had to go downstairs to reboot the wifi but otherwise it's another grey, post-xmas day.

I have to shift into travel mode soon for Japan.

I did get my Passport Card in the mail yesterday. The book should be in by Monday.

I need to talk to my travel expert resource for where to stay in Tokyo and Kyoto.

I need to talk to my travel expert resource for where to stay in Tokyo and Kyoto.

Share this with me as I am planning a springtime visit to Japan quite seriously.

This football game is going to give me a heart attack.

Happy birthday wishes being sent out today to Quester and Emily! I hope you are being spoiled today and that the following year will be filled with happy surprises.

Thank you, Laura. I got taken to a movie (my first in - theater since the lockdown) and then dinner. very nice.

Jimmy Carter has left us. I knew it was coming, and I knew he was ready. But, as the lady said, it's always sudden.

Ave atque vale, Mr. President. We shall not see your like again.

I'm just so sorry that he didn't get to see Trump defeated or in jail.

I just heard that my most favorite college roommate's SO died from an aneurysm on Christmas, in her arms. Man, it kind of sucks to get this old, because people I've known for 40, nearly 50 years are dying or losing dear ones on a regular basis now.

Man, it kind of sucks to get this old, because people I've known for 40, nearly 50 years are dying or losing dear ones on a regular basis now.

Yup. Matilda and I attended a memorial on the 21st, and my friend Josh is nearing the end after 5+ years of cancer treatment.

It would be terrific if the people who lost their elections this year made the kinds of contributions Carter did. That's kind of pressure, though. But an excellent standard. I think, since I'm disabled and all, I've struggled with survivors' guilt(or hell, something related...I'm no clinician, despite my most orthodox intentions starting college) since I was about ten. But I always had too much to do in therapy and elsewhere to open that particular dark little box.(I'm sure having to stay in the invisible caste labeled Lying Liars Who Lie helped a ton, though--thanks so much, America.)