No Paczki & Cyborging

 

• We had ~5 inches of snow overnight last Thursday.  Since I did not have lectures to give on Friday, I spent the day, Friday digging out, and then cyboring my work (lecture preparation, exam preparation, etc) from my home office/den. 

• Saturday and Sunday were busy with all sorts of non-relaxing, but important tasks.  Cleaning was but one of many things worked on.  With a big conference coming up relatively soon where I have ~8 research students presenting at.... my time and availability are going to be unfortunately quite TIGHT for the next few weeks.  I was feeling a bit of anxiety about this during the weekend..... because I KNOW how desperate and needy the students can be when it is their FIRST real, big research presentation, and no matter how hard I try to have them get everything in order in advance.... they are always in panic mode the several days before the conference.  

• I ran my 11.1 miles this Monday morning.  

 

Oh, I am not sure what I am thinking about this, but..... I have gotten talked into attending a "Men's Retreat" that our Diocese is holding this upcoming Saturday in a nearby town.  

In a broad sense, the idea of a Catholic Spiritual Retreat is very appealing to me.  This would be especially true if it were Capuchin focused.  But, this is a retreat put together for our Diocese, and:

1.  It COULD be very good, and very spiritual and a great learning experience.... and would be helpful in my growth in my Catholic faith.

2.  Or, it could be a common...... "group talk session" of no substance and will just be someone posing a discussion question and letting people yammer about whatever pops into their head until conversation dies down and another question will be asked, and so on.  These sorts of retreats.... hell, a lot of work meetings and other meetings are just like this..... are just an amorphous, talk session where folks simply yammer.  If  it turns out to be of this type, I will be both disappointed and annoyed to have wasted a whole day.  

* * * * * 

With Wednesday being Ash Wednesday, we will be busy as expected with Ash Wednesday Mass in the evening.   Very sadly as my wife is trying to show some progress in the regulation of her Type II Diabetes…  before her doctor's visit in about a week and a half.... I will not get to eat any Pączki this Tuesday.  Nor will I get a slice of a King Cake on Tuesday.... I am doing this out of a respect for and solidarity with my wife.  I think this will be the first time I forgo Pączki on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday since I was perhaps three years old.  I sincerely hope my wife sticks with what she is doing at the moment regarding her Diabetes.... she has been very compliant for three days now.  

* * * * *

I was giving an exam earlier this morning to the group of students who had a cancelled class period due to one of the U's delays in opening last week.  I was sitting in my seat in the classroom,  daydreaming about a beautiful scene of being somewhere warm, with a gentle breeze. I was lounging outside in a wooded area on a blanket with my back resting against the trunk of a massive tree.  I was sitting there peacefully, smoking my pipe and enjoying the quiet notes of nature around me.  No whirr of electronica, no banging doors, no clackity, clackty-clack of keyboards.... just quiet, with an occasional rustle of leaves or a peep from a bird or two.  It was such a vivid daydream, that I could taste all the delightful flavors of the whiskey tinctured burley leaf on my tongue,  I could feel my brain quiet and my neurons relax from the flood of the pipe smoke's gentle infusion of nicotine.  I watched peacefully as the smoke would gently waft away and dissipate into the atmosphere. Particles of smoke occasionally were being struck by a ray of sunlight in just the right fashion to create a tiny, ephemeral, shimmery reflection.  

This daydream felt so very real, so beautifully vivid, and the tastes, smells, sounds, and visuals all felt as if I were truly experiencing them.  It was serene.  I was so focused within these thoughts and within these experiences that I must have been somewhat in a "trance" state, for it was not until a student came up to me..... and NUDGED me a bit, that I broke out of the experience into reality again.  

It was beautiful while it lasted, however.  I wish either my dreams at night would return to allow me to regularly have that sort of experience regularly, or I wish I could find a fun and comfortable way to return to my pipes within the way life is in 2022.  Either would be wonderful.... and BOTH would be the "cat's meow" so-to-speak.  

 PipeTobacco 

Stupid Nerves

 

In the comments, Liz asked about the meaning of my "big voice lecture" statement from yesterday.  These are the classes I teach that are in huge lecture halls and can hold up to ~300 students.  In those spaces I have to speak very loudly in order to be heard at the back of the lecture hall.  

The reality is that I have done this in these large spaces (even in some rooms holding ~500 students) regularly.  BUT... with the Covid-19 pandemic's need for masking (double masking in fact.... I wear one N95 with a cloth mask over it to help hold it tightly in place).... it is MUCH, MUCH more strenuous to have to lecture in these big spaces.  With the double masking, I find that I literally have to SHOUT the whole time to be heard.  This is why I broke down and bought a microphone system.  It helps.... but the damn thing is now on the fritz and I am back to shouting until I either buy another microphone, or Amazon replaces it for me under its extended warranty.... which I am finding out to be just as much of a scam and sham as other "extended warranties" that I have avoided.  I came to find out that even though the extended warranty was sold by Amazon.... it was still governed through a third party.... and those folks are doing everything in their power to find some way in which I "am at fault" and be able to refuse to replace the microphone.  I damn well should have known better than to buy the "extended warranty".... but I thought it was one that governed BY Amazon.  Live and learn, I guess.  

* * *

Onto my other thoughts:

• I was a bundle of nerves this morning because I was worrying about completing enough lecture in my neuro course so that I would be able to give them the (already printed) lecture exam that I scheduled in the syllabus for next Tuesday.  
• The students in that class are upper division students, mostly seniors, and mostly the "cream of the crop" in our major as well (happily the "cream of the crop" students apparently like my manner of teaching and my subjects, because my upper division classes always fill and have waiting lists.... while some of the other profs (including the one I am especially not fond of) barely have enough students register for their upper division course to avoid it being cancelled.
• But, these students also tend to like the subject enough that they like to ask quite a few questions... usually interesting, thought provoking questions too.  But, this often leads me to fall somewhat behind in lecture. 
• I was desperately trying to go fast today in lecture to catch up and complete this chapter which was a big part of the exam.  But.... I knew it was damn near impossible to get through all I had left..... which was my fear and my reason for the nerves.  
• So, I hated to admit defeat.... but 10 minutes before lecture was to end, I stopped lecture and explained to them the predicament.    Then I offered two options..... a) they could still take the exam on Tuesday and I would write out my whole lecture for the remaining slides I had left to discuss and send it to them later today, or b) they could have the exam be postponed until next Thursday.  I then told them to discuss it with each other for a few minutes, while I stepped outside for a bit, and that we would take a vote (majority rules) upon my return.  
• I was happily surprised that all but two students voted to have the exam moved to Thursday.  And, that decision helped dissipate all the nerves I was experiencing. And the best part was that no one seemed fazed or upset.  

In some ways I *KNOW* it was idiotic for me to get all nerved up about the above.  But, I do value trying to keep my word, and since I had the date of this exam in the syllabus, I felt quite chagrined in failing to meet my part of my promise to the students.  I was also worried there would be a nearly 50-50 split to the vote as well, which would have meant a lot of irate folks.  

• strangely, now that the stress HAS dissipated, I really would like a nap.  I do have a small couch in my back office at the U, and I have relaxed there often.  I have spent many hours during the day, supine upon that couch, and smoking my pipe while reading some journal articles, compendiums or textbooks.  But, I have only very rarely taken a nap on my couch.  Thinking back, I would bet it has been at least, well over twenty years since I recall my last taking a snooze on the couch.  
• Even with my bundle of nerves today.... I FORCED myself to run all 11.1 damn miles this morning!  I kept thinking in my mind that I ought to get to the U early so I can try to practice teaching faster, or at I could spend the extra time excising some slides that perhaps I had not asked questions about in the (already printed) exam. But, no.... I ran.... like I am supposed to do.... and while it was physically exhausting, getting through it was helpful for me since I would not have the missed miles looming in my mind all day.

One of the more interesting aspects of the neurology of pipe smoking that I think about from time to time is the very interesting (and scientifically documented) ability of pipe tobacco (hell, I suppose any tobacco would do, but for me... well... you know that pipe tobacco is sublime).... the ability of pipe tobacco to physiologically/psychologically act either as a STIMULANT or as a RELAXANT.  

Yet, I never needed the proof of scientific research to know this, as I can easily attest how both options are true events I had experienced, lived, and relished for many decades.  I have to also admit that when I stepped outside while my class was discussing the exam offer I gave them..... I autonomically  reached into my tweed jacket pocket to grab my pipe (which of course, was not there).  

I am still utterly famished!  I *think* it may be a late Winter thing.  My left overs last night were wonderful.  As I anticipated, my wife ended up eating something else.  

Tonight is taco/burrito day.  I already have BIG plans for an enormous taco salad as big as my head, two of my hearty, three-bean burritos, a spicy tostada, and the last of my batch of the chickpea/chard side dish (so I can make a new batch this weekend).  And, I am very seriously considering adding a hefty scoop of baba ghanoush to each of my burritos tonight.... just because.

Baba ganoush has to be (to me anyway.... my wife abhors it) the most delicious, most creamy, most satisfying appetizer (that I use almost like a condiment at times) I know of.  While I do make hummus (and buy hummus too), I currently only buy prepared baba ghanoush.  I have never had a lot of luck in working with eggplant, so I am a little gunshy about trying to make baba ghanoush.  I might give it a try if I have some free time this Summer.  

The Indian Grocery Store that I mentioned yesterday, sporadically will have baba ghanoush in their deli, even though baba ghanoush is not really a traditional Indian food, but is instead more Mediterranean in origin.  But I am glad that one of the deli women who work in that store likes to make it on occasion.....and I reap the benefit....  because every time I find it there, I buy a huge tub.    

Now that my stress has dissipated, I can sense I am a bit "all-over-the-map" in my writing (and in my thoughts, too, I have to admit).  The idea of reading a good book this afternoon (or hell, I'd be fine with a journal article or two or three) on that couch with me smoking a pipe.... is awfully damn tempting!!!! 

PipeTobacco

 

Ice... Twice

 

So, we have been having more of the freezing rain/ice/snow mix since yesterday.  Today the U decided to delay opening until 11:00am.  So, one of my laboratory classes was cancelled.  I have one big voice lecture, one normal voice lecture, and one laboratory class that have or will occur still today, however.  

I only ran 9 miles (~14.5 km)this morning because I was feeling a bit edgy and out of sorts about getting an exam up-to-snuff for my secretary this morning.  

The exam is for next Tuesday, but she likes to have ~a one-week turn-around time.... and I was technically a day late, so I was feeling a bit of pressure.  This particular exam has 80 multiple choice questions, and about 2/3rds of it I had to write from scratch (about 1/3 I could cobble together from various questions I have written before of this nature).  The other hard part about this exam is that roughly 1/4th of the exam features neuroanatomy and in order to use textbook images that the students are familiar with, I had to take photos (to have .jpg files) of these images.  I had taken these images about two weeks ago.  But, that is only the start point....  I had to next edit them in PhotoShop so that I could erase all the labels from the images.  I then had to also use PhotoShop to add in text boxes with the questions and to add in the variables I use as the identifiers on the  images for the questions posed.  I am not particularly adept or fluid in working in PhotoShop... so it took me a fair amount of time.  

I was famished this morning and ate all of my breakfast and lunch before I went to the first lecture I had.  I ate a big bowl of high fiber cereal with blueberries, a bowl of fruit, a banana,  half of a high-fiber English muffin, a yogurt, 10 almonds, three of my high-fiber, no-fat, oatmeal-bananna "cookies", and a small bowl of scrambled eggs.  But, I still feel very hungry.

When my wife and I made our weekly menu for dinner (to facilitate grocery shopping), my wife and I decided that tonight would be one of our sporadic "freezer meal" days.  Before I left for the U, I pulled out a frozen bag of leftovers of the delicious crockpot dish my wife made perhaps three weeks ago that we call "Thai Curry".  It is a wonderful dish that has a lot of vegetables, a plethora of delicious chickpeas, grilled tofu cubes, and the sauce is a very vibrant curry yellow that has been slightly muted with a bit of coconut milk.  I also pulled out of the freezer a bag of a leftover rice side I had made.  It featured traditional rice, wild rice, and wheat berries, and I seasoned it lightly with cardamon, tumeric, pepper, salt, a touch of rosemary and lemon.    It should be pretty damn tasty along with a giant bag of frozen veggies, a salad as big as my head, and a side of my chickpea/chard side dish I make.  

A small aside.  My wife loves the various foods we eat, when they are newly made.  But.... truth-be-told, I am not sure what my WIFE will extract from the freezer for herself.... if anything.  She likes the IDEA of saving and freezing leftovers.... but when push comes to shove.... she seldom tends to embrace the idea of EATING leftovers.  I would not be surprised if when I return home, she will have either a) made herself something, or b) will have purchased something from some place to eat.  

Because my wife's theoretical appreciation of frozen food does not often match her real-world consumption, I learned long ago to package leftovers in single serving sized units.  So, if she does want to join me, we pull out two of an item, but if not, my single copy does not lead to waste. 

I am also feeling a new set of mental rumblings about my pipes as well.  Still no beautiful dreams, but I have to say that when I was running this morning, I spent quite a bit of time reminiscing about the flavors, the textures, and the joyous mental stimulation I miss from a wonderful bowlful of a rum-tinctured burley blend I am especially fond of.  I have to admit, that I wasn't paying as strong attention as I should have during the Capuchin Mass I was watching while running.  They were experiencing some sort of microphone issue and it was difficult to hear and follow.  

Side Note:  The image above is not of the Thai Curry recipe my wife made, but it looks similar.  

PipeTobacco

This & That

 Not much to say:

• 11.1 miles this morning.
• Two Capuchin Masses
• My wife has another late night (till 7:30 this time), so I am "baching" it again. (sigh)
• No luck so far in finding my Ukrainian friend's e-mail.
• We had freezing rain overnight and they should have closed the U but did not.  I would have liked to stay in bed.
• I will probably just work until 7:30 here at the U before I head home.  Three hours of "big voice" lecturing and the rest of the day "cyborging" I guess.  
• Late February and early March are the hardest times of the year to get through it seems to me.  And, I think this is both emotionally and physically.  So many, many deaths in my family have occurred during this time frame.  Off the top of my head, I can think of the following deaths that occurred in March... my Dad, three of my uncles, my Mom, three aunts, my Master's Degree Mentor, My Doctoral Degree Mentor, and at least two cousins. There may be some I am forgetting at the moment as well.  
• I do not understand the reasons for the CONTINUING "chip shortage" that is making used vehicles cost more than often when they were new.  Virtually every other commodity has returned to normal production... yet, new vehicles are scantly available and people pay nearly new prices for vehicles 4 and 5 years old now.  

PipeTobacco

IPSD & Russia & Ukraine

 

Yesterday (February 20th) was International Pipe Smoking Day.  It was an event that was only started a short while ago (2008) but was designed to bring pipe smokers together in a day of solidarity and acknowledgement. 

While I did not indulge in a pipe yesterday, I considered it.  But, instead it (along with the news) reminded me of a Russian (Ukrainian) friend from graduate school who was/is a pipe smoker, like me.  Back when he was in graduate school with me, Ukraine was part of Russia, so he officially was then a Russian citizen.  

If I can get a chance today, amidst all the busy work I need to do, I am going to try to see if I can locate an e-mail address for my friend and see if I may be able to contact him.  It has been probably 6 years or perhaps a bit longer since I had seen him at an international scientific meeting (not really a surprise, as attending international meetings tends to be only an occasional pursuit for both of us due to the expense).  

I hope the Ukraine remains safe.  It still has more than enough difficulties in many facets.... including the issues still surrounding Chernobyl.  

PipeTobacco

Busy, But Better

 I am feeling less down, fortunately.

I ran 10 miles and watched two Capuchin Masses during my run.  I am done for the week with miles.  

I was absolutely, non-stop busy all day long and had to also attend a three hour conference where I presented (luckily it was virtual (Zoom) so I could do other things at the same time.  

I did all the work I needed to with my research students.

I did some of my own rodent work.

I prepared all the materials for next week’s classes and was able to publish them.

I wrote one exam.  

Overall….. VERY busy, but fortunately very productive!  Tonight I can spend quiet, relaxing time with my wife, and sleep in perhaps to even 7:30am tomorrow….. no alarm clock and no alarm light!!!!!!

PipeTobacco 

I Feel Defeated

 Fortunately, the person whom I do not talk about anymore arrived back with my wife's vehicle ~2:30am.... and even more fortunately, the weather change from rain to ice ended up not begining until ~4:00am.  

The ice and now snow that we received and the snow we are continuing to receive caused the U to delay opening itself up this morning until noon.  This means one of my lectures has been cancelled, yet one will need to occur.  It is easier to have either the whole day cancelled or the whole day run as scheduled.  Yet, this "half approach" is what the "powers-that-be" have decided.  So, I got up, ran my 11 miles, drove very carefully to the U in what was/are damnably difficult and dangerous roadways.... at my usual time... and am now planning to a) prepare for my one lecture that will occur, and b) start the process of altering and adjusting course materials (including an exam that *was* scheduled for early next week but will either have to be rewritten or postponed) and then notifying students of the changes.  

So, I actually have more work (more busy-work, that is not the same sort of fun that lecturing can be) ahead of me today than was in my original docket.  And, I get to look forward to a shoveling session upon return home for the evening.  

I feel rather defeated.  Since Tuesday, this has been a draining, taxing, and tiring week.  Please believe me that I have been trying to "shake-it-off" through several methods.  But, so far, I have not found the right route to freedom from my malaise.  

PipeTobacco

Struggling

Brief post:

• I am feeling angry, annoyed and I am struggling a lot.

• I worked very diligently this morning while I ran my 11 miles to pray and to focus on the two Capuchin Masses I watched. 

• I felt rather "even keel" during much of the day, even with 6 hours of "big voice" lecturing.

• I had a phone call with my wife, and it brought up the anxieties I mentioned yesterday, about her memory in the not-to-distant future.

• My wife also called me in a distraught state because the person I do not mention here anymore has some sort of ride issue because one of this person's *ssh*l* friends backed out at the last minute and now this person wants to take my wife's brand new vehicle on a three hour drive (and three hour drive back) tonight in weather that is predicted to change from rain, to ice, to snow... to go to some damn concert. And... my wife... agreed..... but then was wanting me to assure her this was a good decision.  And, I could NOT do that, and I would NOT do that.  So, now my wife is p*ss*d at me. 
  

• The person whom I do not mention has an old vehicle that is RWD.  My wife offered to drive this person.  The person adamantly said NO!  And, so my wife caved in to what this person wanted.  

It will likely be a damn unpleasant evening.  Likely my wife will be an emotional bundle of nerves, or we will get into a disagreement, and the whole evening will be a whole helluva lot of nothing.  I am too damn tired to stay here at the U.  I don't want to go work in my damn home office either.  I want to relax, and eat a comfortable dinner and have a fun, quiet evening with my wife.  That notion is just shot to hell.

PipeTobacco

Damn Frustrating

 I am having a rather frustrating day today.  

Actually, I probably should rephrase the above..... I am FEELING very frustrated today.

Nothing "problematic" is going on:

• I ran my 11 miles (~18 km)
  
• I got to work on time
• I did fine with my first lecture.
• I did fine with my second lecture.
• Things are progressing as they typically do.

So, why do I feel ornery and out of sorts?

• I think I am having a "got up on the wrong side of the bed" day.  I just feel aggravated and ornery.
• I would like to be taking a long nap.  I feel tired.  I feel sleepy.  I feel unfocused.
• I slipped into an early morning mindset of thinking about the two horrible people at work.  And, even though I was trying my best to listen to and thereby convert my negative emotions about them by watching TWO Capuchin Masses while I ran... my mind kept all too easily slipping out of focus on Mass and into a replay of my resentments towards those two.  
• My wife was being rather forgetful this morning, which scares the hell out of me, even though I try to not mention it.  She shares enough traits with her Mom.... and the idea that she *might* get dementia-level forgetful like her Mom..... the idea is too frightening for words.  
• I am also angry about pipes.    After FOUR DAMN YEARS.... I sure as hell thought I should have some sort of definitive answers, a definitive pathway to follow.  I thought by this time I would know definitively that I would simply stay away from my pipes and pipe tobaccos, or I would know I returned to them.   

So, that is about it.  

PipeTobacco

Four Years

 

Today marks four years since I have tasted the flavors of my various pipe tobaccos.  It has been four years since I have felt the ephemeral beauty of my neurons being bathed in the exquisite nectar provided in the gentle combustion of leaf within the bowl of one of my pipes.  It has been four years since I have felt the palpable and delectable, chalky texture of pipe smoke upon my tongue or in my visage.   

I perhaps should have a feeling of a sense of accomplishment. "A job well accomplished."  "A feeling of stamina and fortitude in my being."  With running, and with walking prior to that, I DO feel these things. I felt that sense of accomplishment when I reached 12 miles (~19.3 km) this morning  And, I do feel those things also when I maintain my normal BMI.  Yet, in regard to abstaining from my beloved pipes and pipe tobaccos, I do not feel accomplished, nor does it seem LIKE an accomplishment.

I began my “sans pipe” journey on Ash Wednesday of Lent, in 2018.  It was only two weeks since the passing of my smoking buddy, my father-in-law, that I began this journey.  As odd as it may sound, my journey has felt to me as a lone journey, a solitary exile.  Yet, not an exile that I chose, per se, but one foisted upon me by the changes and passage of time.  

I would greatly enjoy smoking my pipes and feeling their comfort.  Every cell of my body is enamored with the poetry of the pipe, the story of the gentle tobacco leaf, and the artistry of the flame.  I am innately a pipe smoking fellow.  I have been such, I believe, even before I began the avocation.  I now feel certain that I will always be such.  

Yet, the world  is not what it was.  For so long…. well before I was even a zygote, the grace and the charms of the pipe and pipe tobaccos existed and was known by many.   The pipe’s  graces instilled in countless others the same magic and same joys that I allowed myself to be imbued with through the practice of the art of smoking a pipe.  I felt a kindred connection with the global camaraderie and shared experience in something so beautiful.  Yet even in its beauty, it was so much MORE beautiful because there was no NEED to smoke pipes and pipe tobaccos.... it was and still is an indulgence, a "spice"….  a BONUS activity to simply DO in life without relevance to the requirements of the day.... it was just joyful..... a extraneous option to have a choice to do within the realm of the necessary requirements of day-to-day life.  Pipes and pipe tobaccos can soothe when I am sad, can heighten happiness when life is filled with joy, and be a willing companion to assist in times of creativity, or in stress, or in times of relaxation.  But, perhaps the very best part is that pipe smoking was always done in an extemporaneous fashion.... at its most basic level.... it could occur at the spur-of-the-moment, any moment where it would feel fun, helpful or useful.   

So, unfortunately, today I am still in limbo.  I want to smoke my pipes.  Yet, I do not want a return to be rigid, timed, nor forced.  In 2022…. truthfully the rumblings of it probably started to be noticed by me beginning in around 2005.... it is not easy to be a pipe smoker.  A little bit (in 2005)…..  but a majority of the time now (2022)… you need to be a willing, lone wolf…. tilting at windmills in an Quixote-esque fashion to be a pipe smoker.  Being a “lone wolf” pipe smoker is a helluva lot of work.  It is often challenged and challenging.     It is also quite often a pain in the "posterior" to be a lone wolf.  Yet, when I had at least SOME moments where it could still be casual, free-flowing, extemporaneous, and like it was in the "old days"....  then it was easy for me to deal with the negatives of the "lone wolf" effect.... because I could look forward to a time and a place where it felt just like it did in the past…. for my own memories, the 1960s through.... to about 2005 or so. But as time has progressed, the number of such linkages to that calm, gentle period of time have diminished.  First my father passed, then a couple of uncles, and even pipe smoking friends from graduate school…. they live scattered across the world (and many have even quit the pipe).  No legitimate tobacconist is anywhere nearby me to create that sense of community..... the nearest one is now close to an hours drive away.  All the former ones have converted into either "Vape" shops or into what we used to call "Head" shops back in the 60s and 70s.  And…. so…. with the passage of my pipe smoking buddy, my father-in-law, I lost the last, near connection I had to the wonderful, tranquil past.  

So, on February 14, 2022, I am still in a no-man's land of nebulousity.  I know what I would WANT, but what I want does not seem to exist anymore. Our society has changed.  Perhaps there is a way out there that I may discover.  I have not discovered it yet, but I can still try to muster hope that I may, some day.

PipeTobacco

Raisins

 

[I did get my shopping done last night, finished wrapping the gifts, signed the cards, and got the whole caboodle hidden plus all the mess thrown out or put away... with perhaps 15 minutes to spare before my wife returned from her CEU efforts.]

In my bowl of fruit that I ate in my office for breakfast this morning, my wife kindly added a few raisins.  I have always loved virtually all dried fruits (especially raisins, dates, figs, prunes) and have never looked askance at any type.  The main body of my fruit, though, was fresh and was a mixture of blueberries, pineapple, apple chunks, and a few raspberries and a few slices of tangerine.  I have also separately eaten a banana as well this  morning as I drink my coffee.  

I ran 11.8 miles (~18 km) this morning, per usual, then I quickly took out the dog, and dressed for work.  I watched a Capuchin Mass while I ran, which is always helpful for me.  I kept trying to figure out ways I could become the better person I wish I could be, and how to be able to form that focus, that fidelity towards living a life of service like the Capuchins do.  

While heading to the U, I made an appointment with our veterinarian to have our dog get an update in her vaccinations.  Since Covid-19 hit, the veterinarian visits are considerably more difficult to obtain.  Prior to Covid-19, I could call and within a few days, I would be able to bring in our dog.  Since Covid-19, it has typically taken weeks after a call to get an appointment.  When I called today, the FIRST available date to bring in my dog would be February 28th.  It is a bit stressful having to try to think that far out in terms of times and schedules.

Sadly, the microphone I purchased for talking in the giant lecture hall seems to be having some troubles.  It will sometimes work and sometimes not.  I have checked and replaced the batteries, I have looked for a loose or damaged wire, and I have tested it in other ways.  So... half way through lecture, I had to give up using it and had to basically holler as loud as I could through my double mask to be heard.  It was exhausting. I was talking about the different cells composing the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.  I do not think I did the topic the justice it was due, because it was so exhausting to have to holler the whole damn time, that I think I abbreviated some of what I said and spoke less.   I am calling Amazon as soon as possible this afternoon... I actually BOUGHT an extended warranty on the beast..... so it had better be helpful in getting me a new one.

Now.... in reality.... I NEVER..... EVER.... have purchased an extended warranty on ANY PRODUCT... other than this microphone system.  In my opinion, by-and-large.... extended warranties are simply scams.  My wife and I always get into a "discussion" about the value of buying an extended warranty.  She almost always WANTS to buy one, because she is easily snookered by salespeople into getting one.  But, as long as I am part of the shopping process, I hold steadfast in my refusal. 

The microphone I ordered an extended warranty for was different in regards to my anti-extended warranty stance in three ways:

1.  The extended warranty was CHEAP.  It was roughly 10% of the purchase price.... whereas a lot of extended warranties cost 1/3 or even 1/2 of the purchase price.  

2.  The extended warranty was also long lasting and supposedly "guarantees" a replacement for THREE YEARS.  We shall see.

3.  Amazon was the company that offered the warranty.... not the microphone manufacturer.  In terms of the dealings with electronics I have had with Amazon... Amazon has been very kind, very helpful, and has felt trustworthy.  

Finally, I also bought the extended warranty because I have heard from a lot of folks over the years, and have also learned through experience in helping various priests at Mass hook up their microphones ahead of Mass after they get on their vestments.... that these damnable microphones are fragile, finicky, and PRONE to failure. 

* * * * * 

Since I am still unable to recall any of my dreams (a sad and ongoing problem for probably at least two months now, if not three) I was allowing myself to daydream as I drove to the U this morning.  I was imagining walking around town (no real place in particular.... but the location was.... in my imagination, rather "Art Deco" and was "Florida-esque" or "Havana-esque") in sandals, shorts, and a brightly colored, vividly maroon shirt festooned with parrots.  I was also sporting my lighter grey, medium brimmed fedora as well.  As I walked around, I would stop and chat with folks, and I was smoking my pipe.  I was imagining smoking a "mixtured" bowl where the bottom half of the bowl being filled with unadorned burley, and the top half filled with Balkan Sobranie for spicier richness.  In my dream, I also was imagining stumbling upon the downtown, city library, with a building adjacent to it being a refreshment shop.  In my mind's eye, I was seeing myself checking a novel out of the library, purchasing a large, matcha infused iced, bubble tea with bobas, and siting at one of the outdoor tables surrounding the library, reading, drinking my bubble tea and smoking my pipe.  

I guess in my daydream, because it was morning.... I imagined a morning sort of fun and relaxing pursuit. I also am purposefully taking an almost "meditative" stance at bedtime.  After getting into bed (and after kissing (or additional activities) my wife goodnight), and after reading a novel for a bit, I will read at least a page or two from a book about saints I have been reading.  Then I will turn off my reading light, turn on my side, get my bite sock positioned, and then imagine myself slowly and deeply smoking one of my pipes and pipe tobaccos.  I started this action shortly after I stopped recalling my dreams, as  way I thought I could get my dreams to be able to be remembered again. I had been missing those dreams so much, especially how sometimes I actually felt physically like I had just smoked my pipe... it stimulated memories of the relaxing feelings, the flavors, the the contentment.  

My meditative actions have not caused my dreams to be remembered.  But, they have been helpful as I feel I relax more fully, and sleep more soundly.  

PipeTobacco 

Rattling On

 

I only have a bit of time to type, but I wanted to talk a little bit.  I am feeling rather keyed up.... in a GOOD way.

It was a quite pleasant day of "big voicing" all day long.  As mentioned, Wednesday is my busiest TEACHING day of the week.  I have roughly 6 hours of yammering to do.  And, I did it!  And, it was actually pretty damn fun (haha... at least for me..... not sure if the students enjoyed it as much).  :)

• In one class I was speaking about the nematode, C. elegans, and how it is a wonderful translational research organism that was especially instrumental in the advancement of fundamental research into organismal development. Sydney Brenner earned the 2002 Nobel Prize for his discoveries using this beast in understanding the developmental principle of apoptotic cell death during embryogenesis.  

 

• In another class I was describing the underpinnings of the processes of sex determination and sex differentiation that animal organisms undergo as they mitotically divide and differentiate from the initial zygote into a bi-axial, multicellular organism with a functional reproductive system.  I especially emphasized how in early development the organism is bipotential, meaning it has the capacity to develop into either the male typical or female typical body plan. 

  

• In another class, I was discussing the role of heavy metal contamination (specifically mercury) on how it would shape the morphology and organizing circuitry of the developing brain.  I then spoke of how these changes can affect responses in organismal behavior citing an especially interesting example where mecury exposure has been shown to alter the parental care behaviors displayed by certain Cichlid fish.   

Now, I am either going to escape for the day, or I may go down to my lab to fiddle around a bit with some of my beasts.  I am not sure yet which I should do.  I am going to be "baching" it again tonight (being a lonely bachelor) as my wife has a damnable evening workshop to attend where she can earn some needed CEUs for her job. 

In my mind, there are a variety of things I would *like* to do..... I imagine many of them frequently:

• I think it would be ENORMOUS fun to go swimming!  But, damable Covid precludes that.

 

• I think it would be beautiful to head home and drink a few beers and have a few pipes while I just lounge around on the couch with the dog to keep me company in my gently tipsy state.

 

• I think it would be fun to go home, drink a few beers, and have a few pipes, and head to the basement and work on my metal clarinet.  

But, what I probably need and should do is to go (shudder) shopping for some things for Valentine's Day for my wife.  I really do NOT like shopping.  I USED to like to meander around hardware stores or even the big box hardware stores, as I would look at most of the things I would see as something to potentially work with to create some sort of interesting doo-dad or other. And, I can still occasionally while away an hour or two meandering at a hardware store when I am feeling creative.  But, virtually any other store..... uh..... I would rather avoid it like the plague.  

So, I will try to high tail it through the typical culprit stores my wife likes gifts from, and I will also go to get cards, paper, etc.  And, I will try to wrap them all up and hide them before my wife gets her CEUs accomplished and is home again.  

Other thoughts:

• I do have my current project, the metal clarinet, all dismantled.  25 or so keys are off, numbered, and listed in the order of removal (so I can go in reverse when eventually putting them back), and I have a set of new pads, and some cork to shape.  

 

• But, before I can do any of the padding, corking, and other items, I am now in the phase where I am going to work to remove the deep tarnish and stain from the metal.  

 

• From my investigation of the make/model/and serial number of the beast, it is a horn that was produced in either 1927 or 1928. Even if it were in pristine shape, it would only be worth perhaps $500.  I paid considerably less than that (less than $50) because I was willing to take on a wreck and rejuvenate it (that is the fun part).  I do not really give a damn about its worth though.  I just what to have what will be a "pretty" looking, and playable metal clarinet... and I think it will be attractive to sit on a stand on my desk in my front office at the U.  I will likely be able to play it quietly when my next door office neighbor is not in his office.  The sound would not travel beyond that space.  

 

• I was sitting in my back office (the one that is deep, deep in the back of my laboratory).  It is my favorite hide-away, when I want to get away from folks.  I was in there this morning doing some last minute preparations for the "big lectures" and I was staring longingly at my pipe rack that has been there for decades.  It is an especially battered one with some of my more battered work pipes as well.  My back office is/was the place I would smoke my pipes most often (back in the day (sigh)). It is an office with an especially pretty view from the window as well.  Even though I am not smoking in there currently (sigh), there are still some lingering, very pleasant, very enticing aromas from pipes of the past, and of course, I do often open up the humidor jar in the pipe rack and take a deep breath in of the beautiful burley encased within.  I have almost always smoked a heavily vanilla tinctured, robust burley in the back office, as it has as an aroma I think almost everyone I met found pleasant. 

I need to quit yammering with my fingers and get going to go shopping. I think I would rather type.  

PipeTobacco

Blur Cur

 

I am trying to be an efficient sort today, and have decided I am going to work my buttocks off trying to not only stay on top of things at the U today, but try to get a bit more ahead.  That is why I am giving myself only a 20 minute window upon which to eat and write here today:

• 11.1 miles (~18 km) ran this morning.  I was able to roust myself out of bed at 4:55am to do so.

  

• Gave an exam to one class today.

 

• Gave a lecture to another class today....  the focus of this lecture was to talk about and describe various neurotransmitter neural pathway systems that are commonly used to collectively associate major rounds of circuitry in the brain sharing a function.  In what I worked through today, I was focused on the pharmacologically named systems.... these included the muscarinic system, the opiate pathway system, the nicotinic system, the the canabanoid system.  In the next lecture I will then start to talk about other systems named after the primary neurotransmtter itself, for example.... the dopamanergic system, the GABAnergic system, the cholingergic system as well as a variety of others.  I did show the typical slides of brain pathway images, and slides of ICC stained tissues, etc.  But also to try to tie things together for students in a way that would help them remember, while showing slides to accompany the above, I also interspersed slides of people.  For instance, I showed a slide of some indigenous folks in South America using curare tipped darts while hunting (muscarine).  For the opiate pathway, I showed a very interesting, historical photo from the late 1800s of an older gentleman smoking opium.  For the nicotinic system, I had a slide with images of Twain, Faulkner, Einstein, and me (from around 20 years ago) all smoking pipes, and for the canabanoid system, I showed an image of Willie Nelson and Tommy Chong indulging in their favorite hobby.

   

• I have graded my one exam that I gave yesterday.  I have EVEN put the scores into the damn, infernal LMS (the "gizmo-y" electronic classroom in which students like to see their grades.... almost instantly), I had avoided using the GradeBook feature in our LMS until the pandemic hit, because it is a rather annoying and clunky system, AND I preferred to hand back grades on PAPER to students.  But, with my double masking due to damn Covid.... I speak slower in order to even more precisely enunciate.... and I do not want to waste time handing back papers at the risk of falling behind in lecture.  

I feel an almost "writer's block" sort of challenge in terms of discussing my pipes at the moment.  There are SO, SO many things I want to write about, that I cannot seem to figure out how to begin so that my thoughts have some sort of coherency.  I only have a few minutes left, so, I will just ramble:

The idea of smoking my pipes again makes my eyes feel brighter, makes me gait feel lighter, and feels so very exciting to imagine.  Yet, at the same time, I worry.  I worry about smoking my pipes being a hassle in regards to when/where I would indulge.  I worry about struggling to be a LONE WOLF in a vast landscape of of others where I may have to continually defend my choice to others who are shrill and uppity about their own "virtue" because they are blind to their own failings.  

If I were to discern a way that this would feel easy for me day-to-day, at this moment I think if I would do this, I could attain what I am seeking:

1.  I would have one day each week where I could freely smoke my pipes and pipe tobaccos as I saw fit.

2.  On the other six days of the week, I would not pine for them, and would not have to struggle to avoid to simply sliding back into the (admittedly quite comfortable) pattern of simply indulging in my pipes and pipe tobaccos at any whim of my choosing... which is how I have always indulged previously.  

3.  I sincerely do not know if I have the ability to accomplish #2. Well, hell, I *know* I could struggle and FORCE myself to adopt that pattern.  But, I do not know if the energy and struggle of effort that MIGHT take would pretty much obliterate the  unfettered joy I would hope to be experiencing on my one day of indulgence.

Oops.... that is it.  My 20 minute speed typing timer went off.  Back to the grind.  By the way.... I entitled this writing "Blur Cur" because I was imagining myself typing frantically like a speed demon and I like alliterations of sorts and I like the term cur.... an aggressive sort of animal. 

 PipeTobacco

   

Array of Days

 

For whatever reason, the post I had for last Friday didn't post and saved as a draft.  So, here is the gist of what I said, with the tenses of the sentences corrected for posting of this today:

Thursday night when I arrived home from the U, I was already exhausted, but I FORCED myself to get on the damn infernal treadmill and put in an additional 7 miles (~11 km).  I was finished with that around 7:30pm.

In order to keep on my goal in terms of mileage for the week, I then got up Friday morning (5:55am) and finished the week's goal with a 9.7 mile (~15.5 km) run.  Since I did reach my 55 mile ( ~88.5 km) goal for the week, I was able to forgo running on both Saturday and Sunday!!!  Normally, I only aim for having a break on Sunday.  This was a treat of sorts having he extra day.  

* * * * *

Back to today, Monday:

Awoke at 5:15am.  Ran 11.1 miles (~18 km).  This felt good in that I got up early enough to not feel rushed in getting to the U, and it also felt good because if I get my miles in during the morning, I a) feel like I have at least accomplished one thing that was valuable in the day, and b) I do not have to think about sandwiching in some additional time to run. 

Then onto the U where I was imagining I had 4.5 hours of "big voice" lecturing as I normally do on Mondays.... but I had forgotten.... 1.5 hours was when the students would be taking an exam!!!!!!  When I remembered that on the way it, it gave me a sense of glee!  I would only have 3 hours of "big voice" and I could get some things done on the computer while the kids were taking their embryology exam.

Zooming with a few students, and then a Zoom with the U's retirement planner to receive assurance that my wife and I are doing "ok" and will not be penniless paupers when I do get to retire.   It *sounds* like we will, when the time eventually comes, be able to retire in an "ok" state.... as long as my wife and I can find some sort of appropriate way to get a supplemental insurance that is affordable as an add-on to  Medicare while still having enough funds to be able to eat and afford a place to live.... at least that is the hope.  It is truthfully shameful that we do not as a nation have universal health care for all.  I have a deep seeded fear of not being able to afford healthcare, and a deep seeded fear that whatever my retirement income will be that there will be some sort of massive wave of inflation or another Depression or some such thing and my wife and I will end up on the streets.  I have had that worry for most of my adult life.  

Pat asked me in the comments several days ago about my dream issue.  Unfortunately, no.... I have still not had any recollection of my dreams and it has been a few months now.  It is a bit frustrating.  I miss my happy dreams about pipe shops, about travel, about being with family who are long gone in the present, etc.  The only "dream" I have remembered was actually a NIGHTMARE that I awoke from in shock and panic.  It was about two weeks ago that it happened, I believe.  In this nightmare (which I think I remember because I startled myself awake during the dream), I was in a park in the Summer with family and friends, and we were having a cookout.  About a 1/3 mile away, I could see a gold car, that in my mind looked like an early 1970s Impala, slowly drive towards us, and then it parked a few hundred feet from us.  Somehow, I *KNEW* there was an assassin in the vehicle and that they were going to try to kill me.  So, I ran away from the group.... both trying to escape, but also to keep the gunfire away from my family.  I kept running, and peering back over my shoulder.  I saw a large fellow in the front lean out a long rifle and take aim at me.  I heard the fire of the rifle, and felt the bullet strike me in the head..... and then I woke up.  

My heart was racing, I was panicked and disoriented.  After about five minutes, I got up and shuffled downstairs and went outside to get cool in the snowy Winter air and to try to shake the anxiety I had experienced from the damn nightmare.  I stayed outside for about 15 minutes, and a fair amount of snow stuck to the flannel of my pajamas.  I then went back upstairs and tried to fall back asleep. 

PipeTobacco  

  

   

 

Sin Apes ~ Synapse

 

My mind naturally engages in word corruptions and associations with regularity and with glee.  I am always very cognizant of trying to have strong, precise diction in how I speak, so that students can hear and understand the myriad of scientific terms that are uncommon in their vernacular.  And, when words have alternative, common pronunciations, I try to highlight how these words may also be heard in multiple ways.  

In my morning lecture today, I was trying to engage students into seeing the inherent beauty of the two major forms of synapes that are displayed by neurons within the nervous system.  The far more abundant and more well known CHEMICAL synapses that involve communication between cells via the release of neurotransmitter signals were what I described first.  Then I started to talk about the much less common, but still incredibly valuable ELECTRICAL synapses governing several "primitive" autonomic behavioral responses associated with evolutionary success of a species.  For this part of the lecture I showed images of the Giant Squid Axon that is used in propulsive escape behaviors by squid and talked about how electrical synapses allow for considerably more rapid communication of signals allowing a faster escape response.  

When I was driving in my trusty old steed to the U this morning (on extremely icy, treacherous roads), I let my mind wander where it willed as I reviewed ideas about synapses.  I began to parse the word "synapse" into visual groupings (not based on their Latin/Greek origins), by how the word could conceivably be mispronounced.  I came up with "Sin" and "Apes" which caused me to chuckle a bit thinking about a large number of "sinful" but perhaps rather enjoyable activities that human and also non-human "apes" might select to engage in.  

* * * * * 

With the relatively large snowfall (total topped at roughly 8 inches (~20cm), the powers-that-be at the U finally decided to close campus (at 3pm, which didn't do me a damn bit of good... I was finished with lectures by that time).  Most of my classes yesterday were sparsely attended (perhaps ~70% of normal).  The sidewalks to the lecture halls were awful, and I presume the walkways to the dorms were likely even more treacherous.  For the off-campus and commuter students... the roads were absolutely horrendous.  The roads were ALREADY quite slick when I went to the U in the very early morning.... but by the time some of the students came for my later morning class, they were complaining about how difficult and dangerous it was.  The "powers-that-be" at the U were foolish, and should have simply cancelled classes for the whole day.... like virtually every other educational institution did in the region.  

I ended up going home when campus closed at 3... but I had already previously scheduled some important appointments with students. I wrote to each of them saying that if they would still like to meet, that we "could potentially" meet via Zoom.  I was sort of hoping each of them, or at least SOME of them would say.... "Nah, we can meet another day!" but....  all of them....  wanted to meet with me via Zoom.  So, I ended up "Zooming" with folks for a few more hours.  

By 6pm, though, I was "done" enough with U related work that I could begin to dig us out and clear the driveway of snow.  The very bottom layer of precipitation was originally rain that turned to ice.  Above that was a layer of heavy, damp snow.  On top of the heavy, damp snow was a sizable layer of dryer...  light & fluffy snow.  I spent a good hour shoveling the needed areas clear enough so that I could THEN BEGIN to use the snowblower on the main part of the driveway.  The different textures of snow/ice made the process slower than I would have liked.  But I did get the damn driveway, sidewalks, and porches cleared.  Overnight, about 1/2 inch of additional snow fell.... not enough to worry about..... but it did make the shoveling work I did yesterday look cleaner. :)

* * * * * 

I was so tired, probably by the shoveling/snowblowing, that I overslept through my alarm and got up later than I would have wanted to this morning.  Because of my late start, I could only get 7 (~11km) miles in of my run this morning.  That means I have to gear myself up to try to put in another 5 miles (~8 km) or so TONIGHT when I get home in order to stay on track for my weekly goal.  The idea of running late in the day is not appealing to me.  

* * * * *

I have been thinking A LOT about my pipes and pipe tobaccos.  Hell, actually I think about them "a lot" under normal circumstances day-to-day. But, what I mean now, is, that I am purposefully trying to reason through and consider what my next step(s) may be.  The thoughts of what I could do swirl around in every direction and in every fashion.  Here are just a few ideas that have surfaced:

• I very much know that I am a pipe smoker by my nature.  I have always been interested and curious about them EVEN BEFORE I surreptitiously snuck (this word is apparently now considered "ok" in U.S. English, but you could substitute "sneaked" instead for those outside of the U.S.) out back with one of my father's pipes when I was a little kid.  
• I will always be a pipe smoker.  I do not think there is a way to extract that from my being.
• The question however, is "Am I going to going to be a pipe smoker who is not indulging?" or "Am I going to be a pipe smoker who smokes a pipe?" 
• I always would LIKE to be smoking a pipe.  Other than the relatively infrequent occasions where I am NOT thinking about pipes and pipe tobaccos..... I always have a desire to smoke a pipe, and have an appreciation of their beauty, charms, and joys.   

So.... the only definitive thus far is that I am... and will always be.... a pipe smoker.  From that point, the directions become more murky.  It is this murkiness I have to dissect and work through.  

PipeTobacco

Lemonaid

 

After the "Big Scare" yesterday.... we had another "Big Scare" last night around 11:30pm.  My wife was looking at the cameras we had set up in my mother-in-law's house.... and my wife grew panicked because she could not see Mom on either of the two cameras!  She kept watching and waiting, thinking perhaps Mom was just out of range in one room.  She then called Mom on the phone several times.... but there was never any answer.  Out of desperation, she called her sister, "K" and told her that she could not see Mom.  Since "K" lives the closest to Mom (about 15 minutes away), she got up and dressed and drove over to Mom's house.  

Fortunately, it turns out that Mom decided for the first time EVER, to sleep in the spare/guest bedroom.  When "K" found her and woke her, she stated she decided to sleep there because she liked the blanket better in that room.  

Now, Mom has NOT been sleeping in her own bedroom very frequently of late and has usually been sleeping in her recliner because she tended to like it.  But.... she has never slept in the spare/guest bedroom before.  So, we did not have a camera in that location.  And, Mom is not good about keeping track of the phones which mostly are in the living room, kitchen, and her bedroom.  As I mentioned in a comment yesterday, she has a "Life Alert" gizmo, but refuses to wear it as she finds it uncomfortable, so it hangs by her bed in her bedroom.  

We are ordering another camera, specifically for the spare/guest bedroom now.  I believe this will have the whole house covered for the future.  

After this scare, neither of us were able to get to sleep particularly easily.  It was ~2:00am when I last remember glancing at the clock.  

* * * * * 

I ran my February 1/2 Marathon Run this morning (up at 5:10am).  I actually completed 13.2 miles (~21km).  I am glad to have gotten it out of the way for the month.  

We are anticipated to receive 6-8 inches (15 - 20 cm) of snow today.  All the K-12 schools are closed because it was already very slippery on my drive to the U this morning.  Unfortunately, the U decided to stay open.  I have a long day of teaching before I can attempt to head home and try to shovel the driveway around 5pm.   

The cravings for a pipe are incredibly strong today.  I do not know what to do about that anymore.  My resolve is quite low. 

PipeTobacco

BIG SCARE!

 

My stomach aches.  I was (fortunately) in an online Zoom meeting in my office at the U when my wife called me and was understandably beyond.... HYSTERICAL.

My sister-in-law had called my wife..... from my mother-in-law's house.... and told my wife that "MOM was MISSING!!!!"  I asked my wife to repeat to me what my sister-in-law had said, to be sure I heard my wife correctly.

My sister-in-law, "K", who is is quite poor health due to her own complications from Type 2 diabetes, was trying her best to run all over my mother-in-law's house seeing if she could locate her somewhere.  My wife used our home phone line (K had called her cell phone) to call her brother, "D".  When "D" heard the news, he jumped in his truck and was trying to speed across town to Mom's house, about an hour away from where he lived.  He was planning to search the fields and snow banks nearby the house. 

After telling me the news, my wife had gotten into her car, and was similarly driving to Mom's home (about 45 minutes for us), and I was trying to quickly pack up and scoot out the door myself to get over there myself from my position at the U as quickly as I could.  

* * * * *

My mother-in-law, "Mom" is quite advanced in age.  She is displaying some aspects of forgetfulness that have been diagnosed as a slight onset of dementia.  But, she is adamant that she wants to stay in her own home at this time.  And, she has been doing well.  We have a few items that have been able to assist her quite a bit, including a medicine (pill) dispenser that is also an "alarm clock" where it will open up a particular chamber of her pills at a specific time (twice) each day and sound an alarm.  Mom has been very good about following the alarm so she gets her medication in the appropriate times and dosages each day with this device.  She has lost all desire to leave her home, no matter if we try to coax her to return to Mass (we try to pick her up), or to go shopping or any travel that is not a mandatory doctor's type visit.  But, generally she is doing pretty well.  We even have two small cameras that my wife can peek at on her phone to make sure that Mom is doing well and hasn't fallen or gotten hurt.  Between the three families of the siblings, we typically have one or more of the three families have someone visit Mom at least 5 out of 7 days a week if not all seven. 

*  *  *  *  *

I was imagining the worst, as were my wife and her two siblings.  But.... about 40 minutes after the initial phone call from K, she was able to call back... crying..... both in terms of being quite upset, but also in terms of being quite happy... to tell my wife that Mom was "ok".  

What happened, was that two of MOM's younger sisters had decided to drive down to visit Mom.  These two younger sisters live about 4.5 hours north of where Mom lives, and so this is not a common occurrence.  Neither of them thought about letting any of the three kids (my wife, K, and D) know that the were going to come and see Mom, AND..... take her out to lunch.  They had arrived back from lunch with Mom while K was still frantically searching and D, my wife, and I were driving like Tasmanian Devils over to the house.  

None of us can believe that the younger aunts never gave a thought to letting any of us know what their plans were.  They DO know that Mom has been declining some over the last two years.  Both of them really should have realized they should tell at least one of the three kids.  

*  *  *   *  *

Before the big scare, I was planning to call my wife and let her know that I was utterly famished and that I had scraped every morsel I could from my lunch items..... and was looking very hungrily at taking a bite out of my keyboard.  

The big scare was a very effective hunger suppressant.  In fact, my stomach still hurts even though I am back at the U doing my work.  

Nothing much changed from the big scare about my desires to smoke my pipes, however.  I have been wanting to smoke a pipe all morning long.  And, I wanted to do so while I was speeding away from the U, and now that I am back in my office.... I would still relish a bowlful of dark, strong burley leaf.  

PipeTobacco